Do shaved armpits smell less?

Author: Moses Franecki  |  Last update: Sunday, December 7, 2025

Does shaving your armpits reduce body odor? Yes, shaving can help reduce body odor. Hair provides a breeding ground for bacteria, which break down sweat and produce odor. Removing hair can decrease this bacterial activity.

Does shaving armpits get rid of smell?

Removal of male underarm hair by blade shaving and waxing significantly improved the immediate effectiveness of standard soap washing in reducing axillary odor compared with soap washing alone. This benefit was not seen when hairs were clipped to skin level with scissors.

Is it more hygienic to shave your armpits?

Many gynocologists recommend against hair removal of the privates as it can increase infections due to causing small tears in the skin that allow bacteria and STDs to enter. Removing armpit hair is less risky but can still allow for bacterial infections and ingrown hairs.

Does deodorant work better with shaved armpits?

Technically, shaving your armpits doesn't directly make you sweat less. However, eliminating or keeping armpit hair short can make your antiperspirant more effective, thereby reducing underarm sweat, body odor, and the appearance of sweat stains :)

Why do my armpits smell even after shaving?

What's the main cause of armpit smell? The primary cause is bacteria breaking down sweat, leading to an unpleasant odour.

Stink Alert: Understanding the Reasons Behind Smelly Armpits

Do you smell worse if you don't shave your armpits?

Personal hygiene and lifestyle

Focus on the areas where you sweat the most, like your armpits and groin area. Removing some of the bacteria on your skin regularly can prevent unpleasant body odor. Keep your armpits shaved, so sweat evaporates quickly and doesn't have as much time to interact with bacteria.

What is the best thing to put on your armpits after shaving?

Shaving underarms can cause irritation, sensitivity and razor bumps, so it's important to keep your underarms moisturized and soothed. Try using a body moisturizer with gentle, nourishing ingredients and applying a small amount to your underarms after hair removal. Gently massage in until it's fully absorbed.

Should you put lotion on shaved armpits?

Once you're finished shaving, rinse and gently pat your armpits dry with a clean towel. Apply moisturizer or oil, preferably an alcohol-free one. Although it may sound counterintuitive to moisturize this area, it will help keep your skin hydrated and reduce the chances of developing razor burn and bumps.

Do men prefer hairy or shaved?

Women regularly remove their body hair, and the media portrays them as more attractive for doing so. Current research confirms this, showing that heterosexual men are more attracted to women with a hairless body.

Does shaving pubic hair reduce smell?

Pubic hair holds on to residual urine, vaginal discharge, blood and semen. Bacteria line up all along the hair shaft just lunching it up and creating odor. (Very appetizing, I know.) Trimming your pubic hair reduces that surface area for bacteria, thus reducing odor.

How to reduce smelly armpits?

The following suggestions may help:
  1. Bathe daily. Regular bathing, especially with an antibacterial soap, reduces the growth of bacteria on your skin.
  2. Choose clothing to suit your activity. For daily wear, choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, wool and silk. ...
  3. Try relaxation techniques. ...
  4. Change your diet.

Why does female underarm hair stop growing?

All body hair that sprouts during puberty—think hair on your underarms, genitals, and chest hair on guys—is controlled by hormones. Since our estrogen levels drop as we reach middle to later age, body hair growth corresponds by becoming sparser and thinner, too.

Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene?

Still, it's possible that things like diet, medical conditions or a bacterial buildup on the skin could be causing odor, Kopelman says. Hyperhidrosis, the medical term for excessive sweating, could also contribute, because bacteria thrives in moist environments.

Why shouldn't you apply deodorant after shaving?

A lot of us have this habit of applying deodorant soon after we have trimmed or shaved our underarm. This leads to irritation and itching and in worse cases even skin infection. Thereby it is best advised to wait for a while after you shave and then apply any type of antiperspirant or deodorant.

Should I shave my pubic hair?

To care for your pubic area, all you need to do is regularly rinse with water. Long story short, there is nothing dirty or unclean about pubic hair. There is no medical reason to remove it. And yet, many people feel pressured to shave or wax because of our society's long-standing ideas of gender, beauty, and purity.

Is deodorant better on shaved armpits?

Whether it's trimming underarm hair or shaving your underarms, shorter hair means deodorant can reach your skin more effectively. Ultimately, the best way to remove underarm hair is whatever works best for you – but keeping it a little shorter is a good first step.

Do most girls shave their arms?

We asked the ladies in our office how many of them shave their arms, and similar to our Instagram audience 25% of them do.

Is it more hygienic to not shave armpits?

Hygiene. Men who engage in sports or physical activities may find that shaved armpits allow for better sweat evaporation, reducing the chances of body odour. Additionally, keeping the underarm area clean and free from excess hair can prevent the buildup of bacteria and minimise the risk of skin issues.

What are the cons of shaving armpits?

You're more likely to get nicks and cuts in the area, and armpits are famous for getting razor burn. Razor burn can cause deodorant to sting and burn upon application and can increase the itch you're trying to eliminate in the first place by getting rid of the hair.

Why do I smell fishy after he came in me?

The most common causes of unpleasant vaginal odor are: Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An infection that's caused by an imbalance in your vagina's flora. BV is responsible for the fishy smell most commonly associated with unpleasant vaginal odors. The fishy smell may be especially strong after sex.

Why does it smell when I open my legs?

We get it — it's a common problem, but sometimes it can make you self-conscious (“wait, can other people smell that, too?!”) and affect your confidence. Inner thigh odor is caused by various factors, including excessive sweating, fungal infections, poor hygiene, and hormonal changes.

Can people smell you if you can smell yourself?

If you can smell yourself through your pants, other people may not smell anything. That is because we all have different smell perceptions, and certain factors, such as distance, location, and sensitivity, affect how we smell.

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