We often use deodorants in the daytime to ward off any offensive smell emanating from the body. Applying a good deodorant on the body is crucial for getting rid of the bacteria that break down sweat from the body. Body parts like the armpits, groin, breasts, etc., consist of a concentrated number of sweat glands which makes them prone to smelling bad. People all around the globe depend on deodorants for masking the foul odor and on antiperspirants for blocking the excessive sweat that causes the bacterial growth. It is however rather baffling to note that the use of deodorant at night has not gained prevalence over the years even though countless experts recommend that you apply deodorant at night. Let us therefore look at all the reasons which explain why you should be applying deodorant before going to bed every day.
#01 Why put deodorant on at night?
We are not generally concerned about sweat patches forming on our clothes or foul body odor at night. But, applying antiperspirants on the underarms before retiring to bed can have an effect similar to that a moisturizer has on our skin- it works to lock the moisture in the skin. On the other hand, when you apply an antiperspirant in the day time, the increased activity in the sweat glands make it harder to block the pores efficiently. Remember to pat your skin dry after taking a shower or completing an athletic session. Go through this list of useful advices to help you deal with heel pain occurred during such a session. Applying antiperspirants on a wet or sweaty surface can decrease its effect as the aluminum-based active ingredients fail to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. It is therefore wise to get the spray on before the perspiration begins.
#02 How does the temperature matter?
The average body temperature goes down by a degree or two in the night before it rises again in the morning. The cool body temperature helps you receive a comfortable night of sleep by expanding the blood vessels. It also prevents the body from sweating too much in the night. The antiperspirants when applied in the night have a reduced chance of getting washed off. Make sure that you maintain the optimal bedroom temperature (60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) and sleep in loose clothes made of breathable material like silk and cotton. You should similarly opt for beddings and mattresses that do not trap heat in them and allow free flow of air. Visit insidebedroom.com to learn the tricks to getting a good night’s sleep on a consistent basis.
#03 More time for the deodorant
The antiperspirants require a fair bit of time to efficiently build a cover for the sweat glands. The dormant state at which our body exists at night helps provide the time required. This way, the deodorant will have a longer effect, even after taking a shower in the morning. To increase the effect of the deodorant even further, it is recommended that you clean your body well or take a warm shower before applying it.
#04 Role of sweat glands
The sweat glands are small tubular structures that secrete sweat which works to cool the body off. However, too much sweating can lead to a number of issues such as bad body odor, low self-esteem, risk of dehydration, fatigue, etc. This is where antiperspirants, a class of deodorants that decreases the sweat production by blocking the sweat pores on the outer layer of the skin. When applied at night, the efficiency of the antiperspirant increases profoundly due to the comparatively lower perspiration experienced at night. Night sweats, that can result from certain medications or alcohol consumption, are a major cause of sleep deprivation. Ditching the alcohol is therefore one of the most important steps for improving sleep quality.
#05 Bursting the myths
Misinformation regarding the way antiperspirants work has led some people to believe that this can hinder the natural sweat regulation of the body. There also existed some rumors regarding the role of the aluminum-based active ingredient in antiperspirants and its association with cancer. However, past research shows that there is no established link between cancer and the aluminum added in antiperspirants to efficiently block the skin pores.
A statement from the National Cancer Institute reinstates this finding by saying “Because underarm antiperspirants or deodorants are applied near the breast and contain potentially harmful ingredients, several scientists and others have suggested a possible connection between their use and breast cancer (1, 2). However, no scientific evidence links the use of these products to the development of breast cancer.” Most doctors recommend using antiperspirants at night as they do not hinder the ability of the body to effectively get rid of the toxins. A class of widely used preservatives known as parabens was earlier used in deodorants to combat signs of fungi and microbial growth. However, following researches that linked parabens with breast health risks, most present-day deodorants do not contain the component.
Bottom line:
Sweating is a natural and healthy process but nobody likes to sweat profusely and then carry a foul odor on the body. We hope that the reasons mentioned help you understand when to use deodorant to receive the maximum benefit out of it.