Credits: Social Media
Easy home remedy for smelly underarms is cheap but not completely safe
People are increasingly turning to home remedies to smell good and a trend going around on social media recommends rubbing lemon juice on the underarms to mask bad odor.
Although there is some truth to the claims of the viral beauty trend, a dermatologist outlines the possible reactions one might experience by following the advice blindly.
Dermatologist on using lemon juice as ‘natural deodorant’
Whether it’s summer or fall, we like to smell good all the time. However, deodorants aren’t cheap any more thanks to inflammation, so people are going all natural.
Certified dermatologist Dr. Andrea Suarez, who has previously spoken about using lemon juice as a replacement for commercially produced deodorants, was prompted to touch upon the topic again when TikTok users asked her if the method was effective.
She doesn’t fully dismiss lemon juice’s properties which “may” mask the natural body odor by targeting the bacteria that break down sweat, although she doesn’t recommend trying it at home.
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She says rubbing a slice of lemon under your arms can be “super irritating”, causing rashes and pigmentation. Furthermore, stepping out in the sun with lemon juice under your arms can lead to a “very aggressive rash”.
If you’re looking for a natural remedy for your smelly problems, perhaps you should avoid eating four delicious foods that cause body odor.
Tips to smell better
We strongly feel rubbing lemon juice on the bare skin is not worth the pain and several other reactions. However, you could tweak your nightly routine slightly to wake up smelling good.
Dr. Andrea Suarez recommends applying deodorant immediately after showering before bedtime instead of using it in the morning when the smell only lingers for a while because of increased skin-to-skin contact.
Night is when the body sweats less compared to other times of the day. Therefore, using deodorants in the evening helps in localizing the sweat glands to plug them up to cut down on the output of sweat.
If you’re looking to ditch deodorant permanently, try antiperspirants, glycopyrronium wipes, or Botox for long-term results.
Dr. Andrea Suarez is a Denver-based dermatologist with over 12 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2011 and has gained popularity over the years for her content related to all things skincare on social media.
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