Underarm Care Complete Guide
Article by Stefan Burns - Updated November 2022. Join the Wild Free Organic email newsletter!
On the human body, the armpit, or what we’ll refer to as the underarm mainly, is the connection point between the arms and the torso of the body. After puberty, underarm body hair begins to grow for both sexes and pheromones are produced. For mate selection (aka your love life), pheromones play a big role, influencing mood, focus, and sexual response of your partner (1). The underarm is also the location of a network of 20-40 small axillary lymph nodes, small organs part of your immune system responsible for draining lymph.
With its varied functions and structural location, the underarm is a very important part of the body worthy of attention and not destined solely to be smelly and sweaty. With a good diet, exercise, proper grooming, and consideration of the application of any chemicals applied to the underarm, unpleasant body odor won’t exist, perspiration will be minimal, and the lymphatic system can function as desired for optimal wellness.
The Importance of Underarm Lymph Nodes
Lymph is a clear or slightly white/yellow fluid very similar to blood plasma that consists of about 95% water, plasma proteins, and lymphocytes (white blood cells). Lymph nodes are responsible for processing and returning to the blood any fluids that have seeped out of capillaries and now circulate among the tissues of the body. Cells dump waste into the extracellular space also, and without a well-functioning lymphatic system toxins and debris quickly accumulate, leading to cellular damage and feelings of lethargy and stiffness. During this process of circulation and cleansing through the lymphatic system, expended lymphocytes are processed and any microorganisms encountered in the lymph fluid are destroyed. The lymph nodes of the underarm perform this function for the neck, chest, upper arms, and underarm areas.
Cross-section diagram of a lymph node - CC4.0 by Cancer Research UK
Because of the immune function of lymph nodes, certain cancers like breast cancer can be detected in the lymph nodes if the cancer has spread enough. Similarly, when dealing with an infection, it is common for the lymph nodes of the body to swell due to the increased demand of draining lymphocytes and clearing toxins placed upon them. A wellness check to perform everyday is to gently feel the lymph nodes of the neck and underarms to ascertain their status. A quick 30 second massage keeps the lymph nodes free of inflammation and functioning properly. After the milky lymph is processed, the plasma is drained back into the blood stream. Any failures of the lymph nodes to completely detoxify lymph into plasma will recirculate toxins back into the blood stream near entry to the heart, causing cardiac inflammation and a secondary immune response. This is to be avoided at all costs.
Illustration showing inflamed (red) lymph nodes. CC4.0 from www.scientificanimations.com
Besides manual massage, another way to assist in the proper functioning of the underarm lymph nodes is to practice yoga. Because of its highly varied movement, yoga helps to move and drain excess lymph around the entire body. In kundalini and kriya yoga, special attention is given to the underarms via certain poses and self-massage involving the arms, side body, and rigorous breathing. In general vigorous flow, inversions, and twisting poses aid in reliving lymphatic congestion by getting lymph moving again throughout the body, and if an inflamed lymphatic system is causing health issues, regular yoga practice can help to restore optimal health.
How to Reduce Underarm Sweat
How to stop underarm sweat naturally is a question many people ask without truly believing it is possible. In fact it’s quite simple though it might take some time before seeing the full results of any efforts made. Dietary and lifestyle changes will have the biggest impact.
To reduce underarm sweat a few things must be done:
First, chemical laden antiperspirants and deodorants must not be used. The use of these underarm products only exacerbates the sweat and odor issue over time.
Essential oils can be used instead for odor and sweat control, recommendations for that later in the article
Second, the diet must be altered to remove chemically contaminated foods, highly processed foods, excess simple sugars, and any foods that are intolerant or allergenic to the body.
A simple prescription for this is to remove all wheat, added sugars (sweets), and flours (acellular carbs) from the diet. Better for establishing long-lasting beneficial eating behaviors is to replace highly processed foods over time with health promoting foods like whole and unprocessed vegetables (squash, leafy greens, cucumbers, etc), fruits (bananas, blueberries, kiwis), seeds (pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds), nuts (cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds), and pulses (lentils, beans, peas).
Proper skin and hair hygiene must be maintained. This means regular showers which scrub the underarms with a natural soap like Dr. Bronner, as well as trimming of the hair. Shaving or a close cut of the underarm hair is best to minimize the microbiome colony that lives in the armpit.
The sweat glands of the underarm push toxins out via sweat. Sweating is one of the reasons heat therapy is so effective at healing the body from injury and trauma. With ample water intake the body has enough water at its disposal to detoxify through the sweat glands without placing the body into a state of dehydration. Toxins and unwanted chemicals being the nasty things they are create less than desirable smells, and in this way body odor can be a great indicator or overall health and wellness. If your body odor is minimal and/or doesn’t smell unpleasant, then your body is in a fairly detoxed healthy state. If your body makes even yourself gag and others are repulsed by it, then that’s an indication that some major health issues are at hand.
When body odor and underarm sweat are encountered, it is common to layer on deodorant and antiperspirants. Chemicals from deodorants and antiperspirants don’t just layer on the skin of underarm where applied, they actively absorb into the body*. Antiperspirants purposefully clog the sweat pores of the underarm with micronized metals like aluminum in an effort to stop the bodies ability to sweat from there, therefore disrupting the natural detoxification process that the body is undertaking if there is a lot of underarm sweating. Micronized metal particles are damaging to the body and brain. When the body doesn’t need to detoxify heavily, underarm sweat is rare and minimal, occurring mostly when needed to cool the body down from the potential of heat exhaustion.
*Note - A simple way to feel this chemical absorption process is to apply a small amount of peppermint or tea tree oil to the armpit. After a few minutes and lasting up to half hour you’ll feel the oil used absorbing deeper into the underarm.
Detox Safely with Fasting
The body is in a state of active detoxification when it is being exposed to undesirable compounds. This can be through diet, environmental exposure, etc. If postponing the detoxification process and storing toxins in bodyfat, then you may feel fine and think there is no problem other than weight gain. If you have no toxins in you whatsoever then you’ll feel great. It’s when you’re actively detoxing that you feel poorly, may sweat a lot, stink, have acne, rashes, and more.
By removing food from the diet during a fast, one of the major sources of toxins in a normal lifestyle is eliminated. Fasting provides the body relief from detoxifying and allows for mindfulness to be applied to the situation in order to understand exactly where the toxins were coming from.
What Causes Underarm Odor?
Armpit odor is a combination of many factors. As previously discussed, the diet and internal state of the body have a big impact on the chemicals released by the underarm sweat glands. Some of these chemicals might be inherently smelly, while others might be part of a chain of events which eventually leads to an unpleasant odor.
The sweat that comes out of the armpit sweat glands is nearly odorless. The breakdown of proteins found in sweat, and how the underarm microbiome responds to these chemicals, is the primary driver of body odor. A higher concentration of apocrine glands (scent glands) which produce sweat with higher concentrations of proteins are located at the underarms. If the body is pushing a lot of chemicals and proteins out through the sweat as a detoxifying measure, there will be more body odor. If the underarm microbiome is balanced and the body is healthy, only minimally releasing proteins out through the apocrine scent glands, then there will be minimal body odor and the attractive smell of pheromones is more likely to be pleasantly noticed by members of the opposite sex.
The Armpit Microbiome
A large and permanent population of microorganisms lives on skin of the human underarm as it’s warm, moist, and usually shielded from UV radiation (sunlight). The underarm microbiome subsists by biotransforming the natural secretions found in sweat into odorous molecules. The resident microbiome mostly consists of Gram-positive bacteria of the genera Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Corynebacterium and Propionibacterium. The compounds produced by the armpit microbiome which are odorous are short and medium-chain fatty acids, thioalcohols, and pheromones (2). All of these compounds evaporate at body temperatures and it is the microbiome of the underarm which transforms the proteins found in sweat into these compounds.
Every species of microorganism is unique and prefers a certain type of environment. The microbiome of the underarm is an important component of the biological system, so the goal when dealing with unpleasant body odors is not in the elimination of the microbiome but rather the shifting of the microbiome towards favorable species. Corynebacteria are a commensal microorganism particularly associated with the creation of bad sulfurous odors. They are aerobically based but can also exhibit a weak fermentative metabolism (carbohydrates to lactic acid) under certain conditions. Corynebacteria are fastidious and have complex nutrient and environmental requirements for their growth, and therefore having bad body odor is a key sign that the bodily systems are out of balance, creating an environment where a slow growing commensal microorganism can become a pathobiont.
One way to effectively select against pathobionts and pathogens is to practice proper hygiene, eat healthy, and use natural anti-microbial essential oils like tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and lavender oil.
The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils also make them great in treating acne, aiding the immune system and helping the skin to regenerate.
Essential Oils as Natural Deodorant
Essential oils can be used as a natural deodorant and also to shift the microbiome of the underarm favorably away from bad odors. Application is easy and the cost is cheap compared to most underarm products.
There are many different types of essential oils, and the three that I have experimented with by applying them to the underarms are peppermint oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil. These three essential oils are all anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and have a pleasant smell to them.
To apply essential oil to the underarms, place 2-5 drops into the palm of your hand and run the oil all around the underarm. If you have sensative skin then dilute with a carrier oil like chia seed oil. Repeat this as often as desired! I usually carry a small bottle of lavender oil with me and do this 1-3 times a day depending on my activity level and the weather. The absorption of tea tree oil and peppermint oil are especially noticeable, with both creating a cooling effect as they absorb into the skin.
If you have sensitive skin, do not apply the oil directly, instead diluting it with water or a carrier oil like chia seed oil. For any essential oil, before first use test the diluted oil on a small section of skin to test for allergic reactions.
Peppermint Oil Benefits
Has a fresh pleasing scent
Creates an invigorating feeling as it is absorbed
Provides relief from itching and muscle pain. Soothes the skin.
Inhibits the production of certain bacterial toxins
Note - Avoid peppermint oil if you you have a G6PD enzyme deficiency or take certain medications where the inhibition of enzyme CYP3A4 is problematic. Consult your doctor.
Tea Tree Oil Benefits
Has a clean fresh scent
Has a slight sensory stimulating effect when absorbed
Poses strong anti-microbial and anti-fungal effects, effective against acne
Natural insect repellant
Reduces Inflammation and boosts wound healing
Lavender Oil Benefits
Has a soothing scent few take offense to
Has a calming and relaxing effect
Has powerful antioxidant properties
Relieves pain, heals burns and cuts
Note - Be careful with lavender oil if using medications for sleep and depressive disorders. Avoid if undergoing anesthesia soon (1-2 days before).
My trusted supplier for organic essential oils is Mountain Rose Herbs. They have hundreds of essential oils and blends which can be used for natural hygiene methods, aromatherapy, cleaning solutions, and much more!
All of these oils can be used for underarm, skin, and hair care. Lavender and chamomile oil aromatherapy is especially useful for treating sleep disorders. Tea tree oil is a strong anti-fungal good for athletes foot, nail infections, and dandruff. Chia seed oil is gentle and moisturizing to the skin and hair, good for fascial work, containing high levels of ALA Omega-3 fatty acids, and acts as a good carrier oil for other essential oils which are best diluted.
The essential oil starter pack I recommend is:
Mountain Rose Herbs is also my trusted supplier of tea products I use for the different natural herbal teas I brew.
Herbs can be used to improve sleep, reduce inflammation, fight viral infections, and more.
References:
Verhaeghe J, Gheysen R, Enzlin P. Pheromones and their effect on women’s mood and sexuality. Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2013;5(3):189-195.
James AG, Austin CJ, Cox DS, Taylor D, Calvert R. Microbiological and biochemical origins of human axillary odour. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2013;83(3):527-540.
Winkelman WJ. Aromatherapy, botanicals, and essential oils in acne. Clinics in Dermatology. 2018;36(3):299-305.
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