Do Hairy Armpits Make You Smell Worse?

Do hairy armpits make you smell worse?

It’s a great question. Every armpit is unique and whether you choose to shave or grow out the hair on your pits, unpleasant smells can occur either way. But does having hairy armpits increase your chances of B.O.?

Our experts answer this burning question, explain the common causes of smelly underarms, and share tips on how to reduce unpleasant body odour.

One easy solution is our award-winning antiperspirant with a natural base - the UK’s first natural antiperspirant that doesn’t compromise performance! Smell fresh no matter the activity - no sweat, no compromise. 

Do hairy armpits make you smell worse?

You’ll be glad to hear that hairy armpits don’t make you smell worse. It’s actually the bacteria that leads to unpleasant body odour. 

Bacteria love warm and moist places - like underarms! If you have hair under your arms, sweat (which is odourless) and bacteria can get more easily trapped in the hair, which when mixed can lead to smelly underarms. 

Therefore, although having hair under your arms doesn't cause unpleasant body odour, you may find that you need to shower more frequently than someone with no underarm hair as odour-producing bacteria might build up more quickly. 

This is true no matter your gender - everyone has the right to have hairy armpits after all! So, you can be as smooth as a dolphin or let your underarm hair grow freely, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do which is why we offer both natural antiperspirant and deodorant for smooth and hairy underarms.

Our co-founder, Oli, shares:

“Every body and every day is different, which means when making sustainable products, there needs to be a solution that suits every armpit and every occasion. 

“This was pivotal when formulating our antiperspirant, as we wanted a solution that allowed everyone (both people with hairy or non-hairy armpits) to feel confident whilst being sustainable. 

“We created a product that’s smooth to apply, leaves no white marks and doesn’t clump together in armpit hair, allowing everyone to be sustainably sweat-free!”

The common causes of smelly underarms

If you’ve recently started to notice your underarms are starting to smell, there could be a few reasons why. 

Sweat and bacteria 

We’ve already mentioned this one but thought we would go into a bit more detail. Typically, underarms have 25,000 sweat glands - it may seem like a lot, but it’s actually only 1-2% of your body’s sweat glands! When the sweat and bacteria react on your skin, it can cause B.O. 

Dietary changes

Did you know that the food you eat can have an impact on your body odour? In a similar manner to bad breath, strong-scented foods, such as garlic, spices, and onions can be sweated out - leading to unwanted smells. 

Hormonal fluctuations

Hormonal changes due to puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can cause you to sweat more than usual. This additional sweat gland production can lead to increased sweat patches and a change in body odour. 

Stress and anxiety 

Ever been so nervous that your hands go all clammy and you suddenly feel super warm? Being emotionally charged due to stress, anxiety, or upset can stimulate your sweat glands causing unpleasant body odour.

How to prevent your underarms from smelling bad

So, you have body odour but what can you do to keep it at bay and smell as fresh as a daisy (or Sandalwood and Patchouli or any other of our fragrances)?

1. Shave or trim your armpits

Every armpit is unique - it could be hairy or smooth, produce more sweat than others (also known as hyperhidrosis), it could even have a birthmark! Either way, you can keep your armpits as you please. However, shaving or trimming your armpit hair could stop sweat and bacteria from building up in the hair causing smelly armpits. Your choice, though!

2. Shower frequently

This one goes without saying, but especially if you are going through hormonal changes, you may find you need to shower more often than before to keep unwanted body odour to a minimum.

3. Use antibacterial soap

On a similar note, using body wash with antibacterial properties can help reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin which is what causes smelly armpits.

4. Switch deodorants

If you decide you want to change deodorants to find a new scent that may work best for you, why not take a look at our natural deodorant? It is 100% made in the UK, is dermatologically tested, vegan, cruelty-free, and has fully recyclable capsules. With four gorgeous scents to choose from, you’re sure to find something you’ll love!

We also offer the UK’s highest-rared natural-based antiperspirant that boasts the same credentials! So, no matter your underarm needs, we have you covered.

5. Choose breathable fabrics

Certain fabrics have more breathability and allow air to circulate better. Fabrics such as cotton, linen, and rayon prevent the build-up of sweat, reducing unpleasant body odour.

6. Opt for a healthy lifestyle

It’s no secret that opting for healthy choices has a number of benefits - and who knew one of them would be reduced bad-smelling sweat! For example, increasing your exercise can not only improve your overall health but also reduce your stress levels. 

You may get sweaty in the moment, but over time the less stressed you are, the less you can sweat! (Although sweating isn't bad for you, but could cause more anxiety if you have sweat patches and potentially smell). 

Say goodbye to hairy underarm sweat with Make Waves!

At Make Waves, we recognise that every body is different which is why we offer antiperspirant with a natural base and natural deodorant.

Not sure whether to choose antiperspirant or deodorant? Take a look at our bundle boxes, which allow you to mix and match both options so you can choose the right solution for your day. 

We have a wide assortment of fragrances (with more to come) that way you are sure to find a scent you’ll fall in love with. We only use natural ingredients in our formulations to ensure our products work for everybody - sensitive skin and hairy armpits included!

Don’t forget if you subscribe to Make Waves, you can save 15% on every order!

Shop our award-winning natural antiperspirant or deodorant today.

Don’t sweat it… or maybe do?