HEALTH

You have puberty to thank for your new personal scent. Sweat, your body’s way of cooling itself off, doesn’t usually emit an odor until you hit 10, 11 or 12. That’s when your aprocrine glands, located under your arms and around your privates, go into action. These glands regulate your body temperature, but they also produce a milky, oily kind of perspiration. The problem is bacteria thrive in this type of sweat, causing offensive body odor, explains dermatologist Dr. David Leffell, a professor at Yale University.

Try his tips for staying stink-free: 1) Wash daily with an antibacterial deodorant soap, such as Lever 2000. 2) Always wear clean clothes that are free of old sweat and bacteria. 3) Use a deodorant that’s also an anti-perspirant—it covers odors and dries up moisture. 4) Cut down on caffeine, which sends your aprocrine glands into overdrive. 5) After bathing, dust your body with a light talcum powder to absorb moisture. 6) Drink plenty of water to flush weird-smelling toxins from your system. Still smelly? See a dermatologist. It’s not uncommon for some girls to need a stronger prescription deodorant to take care of the prob.

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by GL | 2/1/2016