Body Chemistry 101: Sweat

By The Scent Expert
Grooming Correspondent

Sweat: we all do it, but what do we really know about it? From its purpose to its role in pop culture, it’s worth learning more about this natural, essential, and, yes, somewhat weird part of human life. Consider this your guidebook to the world of sweat -- what, why and how to control it.

Why we sweat
Sweating is your body’s natural cooling system that helps to regulate your body temperature. As sweat evaporates from your skin, it lowers your surface temperature.

Because of sweat’s connection to emotion, people who sweat excessively get the sometimes unfair distinction of appearing less confident or trustworthy. Along with fidgeting, avoidance of eye contact and voice tremors, sweat is often an indication of nervousness or apprehension, which, in certain situations, can lead to distrust. As with other forms of body language, what you do or how much you sweat could be saying much more than your words.

The human body has about 2.5 million sweat glands, and some people even have as many as 4 million. It may seem like your underarms have the highest concentration of these glands, because that’s where sweat appears to be the most noticeable, but feet actually contain the most (nearly 10%). How much you sweat -- and sometimes how it smells -- can be influenced by your mood, diet, some drugs and medical conditions, and hormone levels.

The history of sweat
An obsession with how we smell may seem like a modern preoccupation, but even ancient civilizations were concerned with body odor. The first deodorants and fragrances date back more than 5,000 years, when early Egyptians began using perfumed oil to disguise body odor.

Sweat and the culture of bathhouses (or sweat lodges) have played a large part in many societies around the world. From Russia to Japan, nearly every culture has had unique cleansing rituals that revolved around sweat. Taking a “sweat bath” has been thought to provide a remedy for illness, revitalize aching muscles and also offer a sense of community. While modern-day saunas and steam rooms in the U.S. may not have the same rituals or relevance, they’re still widely used for their health benefits.

Sweat pop (culture) quiz
Did you know there are websites dedicated to celebrities and how much they sweat? Believe it or not, celebrities sweat just as much as everyday Joes. That’s why actors, anchormen and talk-show guests have powder-wielding touch-up artists on hand whenever they make a public or television appearance. For us entourage-less folks (who sweat just as much), there are easy ways to maintain a cool appearance. Use a damp washcloth or even blotting papers (raid your girlfriend’s makeup bag) and do a quick de-slick before heading out. Also, apply a great-smelling body spray under each arm and across your chest to help combat any sweat-induced odor.

Sweat and the single guy
Sweat and body odor play a big role in the dating game. Research shows girls rank how a guy smells as the most important feature for determining whether she’ll be attracted to him. Plus, on average, girls have a better sense of smell than guys, so skimping on the deodorant definitely won’t help you lure the ladies in.

The weird truth is, girls actually have more sweat glands than men, but male sweat glands are just more active. And, as any guy who’s lived with a girl can tell you, women have an arsenal of shower gels, body sprays, lotions, and perfumes that keep sweat at bay and them smelling sweet, too. There’s no reason you shouldn’t learn a thing or two from your female counterparts -- try using a body wash and body spray or cologne from the same line to create layers of scent.

Beating body odor
Sweat itself doesn’t smell. It’s actually the bacteria on your skin mingling with sweat that causes odor. So, if you want to fight BO, your first step is to keep your body clean and fresh. Bathe regularly and use an antiperspirant or deodorant body spray. The bottom line is that you don’t want your bad body odor to have a negative impact on how others react to you.

sweat in review
For something you do without any conscious thought, there’s a lot you can learn about sweat. The basic thing to remember is that sweat, including the amount and how it smells, is an individual thing, but one you can control. With the right hygiene and grooming, you can make sure your personal scent gets a passing grade.


source: askmen.com