Bad body odor could be in your DNA, dermatologists revealed.
Although almost everyone sweats, it turns out that your genes can determine how much you sweat and how smelly you become.
Heather Kornmehl, a dermatologist from Texas, informed her 111,000 TikTok followers that it may be out of your control whether you stink as the day progresses or during a strenuous workout.
Some people are more likely to have a bad odor after a hard workout or a long day than others due to variations in the ABCC11 gene, which is responsible for the production of body odor under the armpits.
There are two sweat-related variants of this gene: GG and AA – and people with different versions produce different amounts of odor-causing molecules in the sweat glands.
When a person sweats, molecules are released through the body’s sweat glands and bacteria on the skin break them down into strong-smelling compounds that are detectable in the air.
Those with the GG variety will have a stinky odor, while those with the AA type will be virtually odor-free. It’s not clear how many people have the unscented variety, but a survey of nearly 6,500 women found that only two percent did.
And when it comes to who has which gene, this may be predetermined by your ancestry.
Texas dermatologist Heather Kornmehl told her 111,000 TikTok followers that body odor during the day or after exercise may be out of your control
Between 70-100 percent of people with European and African ancestry have the GG genotype, associated with stronger body odors, while 70-100 percent of people with Asian ancestry, especially Chinese and Korean, have the AA genotype, associated with less body odor
Between 70 and 100 percent of people with European and African descent have the GG version, while 70 to 100 percent of people of Asian descent, especially those of Chinese and Korean descent, have the AA version.
Body odor is associated with the apocrine sweat glands in the armpits and around the genitals.
ABCC11 plays a crucial role in determining the production of odor precursors, specific compounds that later become smelly molecules when they come into contact with bacteria.
These precursors do not smell themselves, but when they are released from the apocrine sweat glands in the armpits, bacteria break them down.
Some of these molecules have a sulfur-like odor, while others may smell like musk or urine.
Sweating is unavoidable, but genetics says odor is not. Those lucky enough to have the AA genotype produce fewer molecules that interact with the bacteria in the skin.
Dr. Madalyn Nguyen, a dermatologist from Oregon, shared NBC News: ‘It just becomes a lot less sharp and a lot less common.
‘This way we can go a little longer without having to mask our body odor.’
Deodorant combats these smelly molecule byproducts with antibacterial agents such as alcohol or triclosan, which reduces bacterial colonies on the skin.
One study found that women with the GG version of the gene were ten times more likely to use deodorant daily than women with the AA version.
However, even people with the AA variant use deodorant.
Sweating is unavoidable, but genetics influences body odor. People with the AA genotype, according to Dr. Kornmehl, produce fewer molecules that interact with skin bacteria, leading to less odor
Dr. Kornmehl recommends washing the underarms daily with benzoyl peroxide or Hibiclens to kill odor-causing bacteria and using a clinical-strength antiperspirant at night to combat body odor, in addition to deodorants
Your browser does not support iframes.
A 2013 study Based on people from Britain found that while five percent of those with the body odor-causing gene do not use deodorant, 78 percent of people who do not produce body odor do.
Professor Ian Day, co-author of the study, said: ‘Three-quarters of those who produce no odor regularly use deodorants; we believe that these people are simply following socio-cultural norms.
‘This contrasts with the situation in Northeast Asia, where most people do not need to use deodorant and do not do so.’
In addition to using deodorants, some of which emit toxic aerosol fumes or can cause allergic reactions, Dr. Kornmehl has suggested a number of other ways to combat body odor.
She said: ‘When I tell my patients with smelly, sweaty armpits to wash their armpits daily with benzoyl peroxide or Hibiclens to kill odor-causing bacteria, and to apply clinical strength antiperspirant of certain DRI (a type of clinical deodorant) to your body to apply to armpits in the evening before going to sleep.’
The ABCC11 gene variation also affects earwax. People with the AA genotype who are less likely to have body odor are more likely to have dry earwax, while people with the GG type are more likely to have earwax the consistency of honey.
Given the low prevalence of the AA genotype, the billion-dollar deodorant market is unlikely to suffer. Although not everyone needs deodorant, it is wise to smell yourself before going au natural.