Should you sweat the whole body deodorant?
The trend of the use of antiperspirant spray on the entire body to eliminate the bacteria that causes the bad smell when you sweat is sparking debate among specialists.
"It's a comically absurd money grab and a questionable idea," Sarah Everts, professor at Carleton University and author of the Joys of Sweat told CTV Morning Live on Thursday.
She says deodorant sprays contain antiseptics that kill the bacteria that causes the strong smell in your armpits. She notes that they also contain perfume.
Spraying deodorant on your whole body not only kills the bacteria that causes the bad odour, but also kills the beneficial bacteria that help protect against pathogens, she explains.
"We have body odor. The most of which come from your armpits, but you know, you smell like you and people who love you, love you for that kinda low grade odour," she added.
According to Everts, the companies that are selling the product are just aiming to make more profits. She says that those companies thought that if they get people to spray the product on their whole body, they run out of it quicker, which results in more sales.
"This is something that goes back a 100 years, when deodorants and antiperspirant were introduced as products at the turn of the 20th century, nobody thought that they needed them. Most people (were) using soap and water to wash and then perfume,” Everts added.
Everts adds that companies managed to get you to use deodorants on a daily basis by introducing something called "whisper copy." She says the whisper copy "effectively strategize telling women and then men 'if you stink, and you stink, people are secretly talking about how you stink behind your back, and guess what is going to interfere with you getting a husband?’" she added.
It was the time of the great depression when those companies started targeting men in their ads, Everts notes. The idea was that men are going to have social exclusion if they smell badly, she explained.
She stresses the importance of embracing who you are and your own scent, noting that though it seems tempting to smell like citrus juice or spicy, “nobody is duped.”
Instead of spraying your entire body with a deodorant, she suggests using sunscreen or perfume.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972157.1721587842!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after doubts were raised about his fitness for office. Soon after, he endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take his place in the November election.
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Woman found dead in the water near Sunset Beach: Vancouver police
Investigators were at Vancouver’s Sunset Beach after a woman’s body was found in the water Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
A Florida woman was killed 24 years ago. DNA evidence just helped police make an arrest in the cold case
A Florida woman’s brutal killing nearly 25 years ago may finally be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, according to the Sanford Police Department.