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Subscribe to RSSFor most people, putting on deodorant is a necessary ritual on par with brushing teeth or washing hands. But for those who produce no armpit stench, it is totally unnecessary.
Despite that, more than three-quarters of those people still use deodorant at least once a week, a new study finds.
The findings, published in the latest issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, show just how much a person's daily life is dictated by what's considered normal.
"They're spending their money, exposing their skin to what may in a few instances not be good for their skin. It sort of suggests to me that there are a lot of conformists around," said study co-author Ian Day, a genetic epidemiologist at the University of Bristol.
Several years ago ago, scientists discovered that a gene called ABCC11 determined whether people produced wet or dry earwax. Interestingly, people who produce the "dry" version of earwax also lack a chemical in their armpits that bacteria feed on to cause underarm odor.
"This key gene is basically the single determinant of whether you do produce underarm odor or not," Day said.
While only 2 percent of Europeans lack the genes for smelly armpits, most East Asians and almost all Koreans lack this gene, Day told LiveScience.
No one knows exactly why gene prevalence varies so much between populations, but its absence in East Asia suggests that being stinky was evolutionarily selected against there over the last several thousand years, he said.
The new findings came as a surprising twist on a larger study investigating chemical exposures in 6,495 women and their babies in Britain. Researchers took blood samples (which contain genetic material) from the women and asked them what types of hygiene products they used daily. As a result, the researchers could investigate how genes related to product usage.
About 98 percent of the women had the gene for smell-producing armpits. Of those, 95 percent used deodorant on a regular basis.
But of the the 117 non-odor producing women, over three-quarters still used deodorant daily. That suggests the majority of women are using a product every day, when they have no need to, Day said. The researchers estimated that about $32 per person each year -- or a total of $14.3 million -- is spent on deodorants by people who don't produce odor.
Though the team didn't look at men, they think the results should generalize. (Other studies have found that men in general are slightly less fastidious in their deodorant use, Day said.)
Because the study didn't intend to look at deodorant use, the researchers can't tease out why smell-free women continue to slather on the odor-reducing product. But one possibility is that social pressure or conformity plays a large part in some of our most common hygiene routines, Day said.
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Leave a Comment:
Do they not sweat? Deodorant doesn't just stop B.O., it also keeps a person's armpits dry. Even if my sweat didn't stink, I'd still want to wear deodorant to reduce the yucky sweaty feeling.
Deodorant stops the smell, not the sweat. Antiperspirant stops sweat. Read the story, it's a chemical that many don't give off in their sweat that stinks.
If a person can smell themselves, you're well beyond "offensive" to others.
Most people prefer to be safe than sorry because conditions change throughout the day. You don't want to be "unprepared".
Yet, there are still some that stink to high heaven and don't shower or use deoderant.
I wear it everyday and probably don't need to. But it is like brushing your teeth. It's the first thing I do after drying off from the shower. I think it's just a safety blanket for me. It smells nice and refreshing.
My johnson tastes like a sugarplum, anyone wanna try?
People don't know if they stink or not--which is why we all wear deodorant--just in case we do stink.
Nearly all brands COMBINE antiperspirant and deodorant in their products - you can look for yourself. I've only ever produced mild odor but I'll sweat a lot if I don't use antiperspirant- so I end up inadvertently using deodorant as well.
But there ARE a lot of conformists out there, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. In contrast, being sheep and not being able to think or act independently is never a good thing.
Deodorant does not keep your armpits dry, anti-perspirant does. Anti-perspirant often has aluminum silica in it and can be harmful to you, clogging the sweat glands in your armpits. Better off using deodorant and letting your body excrete the waste, via sweat glands. Men with this "no smell" genetic condition must still 'stink' somewhat, if they allow the hair to grow in their pits, because, gene or no gene, you can't tell me that a sweaty, hairy, wet armpit without deodorant doesn't stink! Gross!
"People who don't stink still wear deodorant, study finds"
..and those who stink, still dont wear deodorant...
What a stinking cycle this is.
Folks, if you smell like ass, dont try to cover it up with deodorant, you are just gonna end up smelling like more ass....just go see a Doc, there could be something seriously wrong with your ass
People, especially women, have been convinced that they stink from every orifice of their bodies. If you keep yourself clean, you won't stink. It's all about Madison Avenue advertising.
No. By the end of lunch you stink. It's not worth saving thirty two dollars a year on your right to be free.
Did they have a sniff squad to determine the percentages of those from different races who didn't stink?
I'm not sure most people can smell themselves...I certainly hope not with all the patients I have that come in stinking! So they'd probably rather be safe than sorry.
Gena: Many medical conditions can cause foul odors. If you're dealing with patients you should know that?
I'm betting they don't know that they don't smell.
Ya, don't get any ideas ladies. Clean that muffin.
How many of the 117 knew that they were not capable of having stinky armpits under normal circumstances? If they didn't know, it cannot be said that they were simply conforming to social norms. Unless they were told that they have a rare genetic variant that makes them not stinky, it would be reasonable for them to assume that they do not stink because they practice proper hygiene.
OMG, a study was actually performed for THIS? Who cares? Um, I think we have other issues that need "studied". Cures for Alzheimers, Cancers, AIDS, Parkinsons, ALS, etc. DUH!!!!
a lot of really important discoveries have been made by accident, i.e., penicillin, vulcanized rubber, the pacemaker, plastic ...
Then there are those who stink and don't use any.
My Sh-t don't stink, so I don't need anything.
I bet you wear sex panther by odion.
the deodorant indisutry is one of the most corrupt things that I've ever encountered in my whole adult-life which is why I will never again purchase a single one of their insidious terrorist-supporting fake-glamour products. You know that american talabini guy that they convicted last year? yeah he wore deodorant and not only that but he had it on during the time of his enrollment into the taliban. did the deodorant product influence his brain's decision-making process? that i can't say for sure but it definately didn't help. And you know how much money Old Spice gives back to the community? Less than WalMart which is widely believed to be the most soulless corportation out there. i'd much rather be around a gorup of people who maybe smell minorly not-perfect than with a group of idiot consumers who use their money to buy deodorant to be cool and unknowingly are supporting the deaths of billions of children around the world and the drug-trade and drunk driving accidents increase i nthe major cities where these deodorant factories are located. do you think that the villager making .23 cents an hour to make your deodorant can afford to smell prestine? f no, so why should you?
ok crazy
Wow, you are funny. What a diatribe. You should stop huffing paint zipperhead.
That shiny tin foil hat yer wearin attracts black choppers in the sky....
You have got to stop inhaling the deoderant fumes and aerosol sprays; it's affecting your brain.
Yeah, well see these people who don't stink also don't exist.
I don't use deodorant and never had a "smelly" issue. Haven't in years. I always thought it was because I shave my armpits. Learn something new everyday.
I don't have the stink gene as evidenced by several days without a shower and no detectable odor. YAY I'm FREE!
I'm so happy to have read this article which confirms I don't need to buy deodorant anymore. Seriously, I don't. I'm one of the two percent.
Up here in the North, there should be an annual "Wash Your Winter Coat Day". It's time, everybody. Get the wool pea coats over to the dry cleaners, put the polyester or down jackets in the wash on gentle cycle. You might not smell too bad, or at all--but your jacket sure does. This goes for little kids' jackets, too, wash those coats while they're asleep, jackets will be good to go by morning. College students, especially graduate students--do whatever it takes, but get your jacket cleaned tonight. Who knows, you might get the job of your dreams, for showing up at the interview with a clean coat, instead of the other person who showed up with the stinky jacket.
Annual? I wash my family's coats at least every 2-3 weeks all season. Can't stand dirty coats! Especially since little girl's coats always have so much white on them. Kid gets it dirty in about 10 minutes.
I am on a tight budget, so if I didn't have to spend the money, I wouldn't. But I can't go a few hours out of the shower without noticing the funky smell if I don't put it on right away. Same thing with my son. It isn't just a blind habit for me.
I shave and still need to use it.
I'm not sure if I really wanted to see this article. I definitely need deodorant, but I used to think everybody did. Now I have non-stinker envy! Plus, if I ever go to Korea, I'm going to be so self-conscience! This calls for an aggressive genetic research project in the hope that one day, you will not only be able to ensure that your offspring are more intelligent, more beautiful, and more athletic, but will also smell fabulous. Unfortunately, the big deodorant special interests are too ruthless to ever let that happen.
I thought I was some kind of freak - I stopped during a vacation, about 20 years, as I had forgot to pack my deodorant. I then confessed a few years later to friends and family just to be sure I really didn't stink ... they could not believe it. I guess it is a "genetic" thing as both of my sisters tried not using deodorant and found they were stink-free as well.
I'm not sure if this is related to anything having to do with the stink gene but mosquitos don't like me ... I can't remember the last time I was bitten by a mosquito.
I have never used deodorant and have never been told that I have a smell issue... (and those around me would not keep quiet if I did lol) my ABCC11 gene expresses wet earwax so I can't say that is a direct correlation... I very rarely sweat in my pits but sweat profusely from my chest, back, and head I assumed that was the reason...
I am odorless outside but I have the kind of fart that will make you wear gas mask. Never used any deodorant in my life, ever.... unless deodorant bar soap counts.
Seems like most convenience store owners don't wear underarm deodorant. Guess that's why they burn incense.
All I want to know is who paid for this scientifically jaw dropping study?
I did.
My Dad never used it and did not stink, I always thought it was sorta "weird/cool" ha ha. I always wear it but have no idea if I would smell bad if I did not.
I do know people who cannot smell themselves and smell extremely bad, yet have no clue, apparently thinking they do not smell bad. One guy I worked with last year was so bad you would smell him 10 minutes after he left a room. UCK.
Maybe people who don't smell bad don't want to take that chance. I do know one person who frequently needs to be reminded to go home, take a bath and wash his clothes. He just is so used to smelling bad that it doesn't register on him.
Is it really nessary to spend money to know this?
I wish more people would wear deodorant everyday!
Antiperspirant will cause your body to stop cleansing itself & it is part of nature to sweat.
The best option to maintain a healthy body is to use musk.
I tried musk, but the horns were too irritating.