Will shaving underarm hair cause body odor?

Aug 27, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Wenmin

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, shaving underarm hair does not directly cause body odor. When shaving underarm hair, use clean and sharp tools to avoid skin injuries that may lead to infection. After shaving, you can apply a mild moisturizing product to protect the skin. If noticeable odor develops in the underarm area after shaving, it is important to maintain good local hygiene and change clothes frequently. If the odor persists, prompt medical consultation is recommended for further evaluation.

Generally speaking, shaving underarm hair does not directly cause body odor (bromhidrosis). The detailed explanation is as follows:

Underarm hair mainly serves to reduce skin friction in the armpit area and assist in sweat evaporation. It does not produce odor itself, and removing underarm hair will not directly cause body odor. Body odor is related to sweat secreted by apocrine glands in the armpit. This sweat produces a distinct odor only after being broken down by bacteria. Shaving underarm hair neither alters the secretory function of the apocrine glands nor promotes bacterial proliferation that leads to odor. Therefore, there is no direct link between underarm hair removal and the occurrence of body odor. Some people may perceive changes in odor after shaving underarm hair, which is mostly due to the exposed armpit skin causing changes in sweat evaporation rate or local cleanliness, making pre-existing mild odor more noticeable. This is not directly caused by underarm hair removal.

When shaving underarm hair, it is important to use clean and sharp tools to avoid skin cuts and subsequent infections. After shaving, applying mild moisturizing products can help protect the skin. If noticeable odor develops after shaving underarm hair, it is important to maintain good local hygiene and change clothes frequently. If the odor persists, it is advisable to seek medical advice promptly to rule out possible underlying causes related to body odor.

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What are the best methods for permanently removing body odor?

There is no definitive optimal method for the permanent removal of axillary odor. The choice of treatment depends on the individual patient's condition. Common approaches for axillary odor removal include traditional surgery, minimally invasive surgery, laser therapy, botulinum toxin type A injections, and gold microneedle radiofrequency therapy, with varying effectiveness and suitable populations.

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How to completely eliminate body odor (bromhidrosis)

Axillary osmidrosis, commonly known as body odor, typically refers to bromhidrosis in the armpit area. In general, axillary bromhidrosis may be caused by genetic factors, excessive sweat secretion, local bacterial infection, endocrine disorders, dysfunction of apocrine sweat glands, and other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through general treatment, medication, surgical treatment, or other methods under the guidance of a physician.

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How to completely eliminate body odor (bromhidrosis)

Under normal circumstances, axillary bromhidrosis may be caused by genetic factors, excessive sweat secretion, local bacterial infection, hyperhidrosis, hyperthyroidism, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and then proceed with treatment under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medication, physical therapy, or surgical intervention. Daily care should include regular trimming of underarm hair to reduce bacterial adhesion.

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Why did I suddenly develop body odor when I never had it before?

Excessive secretion of thyroid hormones accelerates the body's metabolism, leading to increased sweat production. This results in greater underarm perspiration with altered composition, which, when broken down by bacteria, produces body odor (bromhidrosis). Symptoms may include palpitations and hand tremors. Treatment should involve the use of medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, and propranolol tablets under the guidance of a physician to regulate thyroid function.