Us Sri Lankans are blessed with year round sunshine. But thanks to warm weather we have to put up with near constant perspiration and, as a result, bad odour - especially of those who slack in personal hygiene. And let's be honest, there are a lot of them! Which is why the deodorant is one of the best inventions ever.
First things first - deodorant and antiperspirant are not the same thing. Deodorants mask the the body odour, which is caused by the bacteria existent in sweat. This is why deodorants contain antibacterial ingredients. Antiperspirant, on the other hand, works by blocking sweat glands so they can't produce sweat, and can be purchased in various strengths. Unlike deodorant, it works best when applied at night on dry skin.
1. Apply deodorant to a clean underarm.
Although deodorant contains antibacterial properties, always use after a shower for best results. Make sure you don't scrub too hard with a loofah or a washcloth because if you use the deodorant on reddened skin, it will further irritate your skin.
2. Switch it up.
Switch up your deodorant brands every few months. Like many personal care products, your body will usually build resistance to the deodorant after a while, making it much less effective.
3. Be wary of skin irritation.
Do not apply deodorant on freshly shaved or waxed underarms as it is bound to cause irritation, especially if you accidentally nicked yourself while shaving. Besides, many people claim that deodorants work best when the underarms are hairless. So try it both ways and discern which works best for you.
4. Application.
If it's a roll-on or a stick, ensure you cover the entire underarm area - approximately 2 inches either side of the underarm crease. 2-3 swipes would suffice. If it's a spray - hold it 15 cm away from your underarms and spray. Deodorants usually last for 6-8 hours or more.
5. Test new products.
You may come across a certain deodorant brand that you may be allergic to. So always test the new deodorant on the area of skin on the underside of your forearm and wait. An allergic reaction takes anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes to manifest itself, and if your skin becomes red, develops blisters or otherwise looks suspicious, discontinue the use of the product. If you are allergic, then wash off the deodorant with soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Apply a lotion that contains aloe vera.
By Rihaab Mowlana
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