The Beauty Of Sweat
Sweat may be slightly uncomfortable at times but it is vital for regulating some bodily functions . Each part of our body has an important role to play, from the largest most visible organ like the skin to the most inconspicuous such as the sweat glands.
How Many Sweat Glands Do We Have?
Sweat glands have ducts where sweat passes through. Our body has an amazing 2 to 4 million sweat glands, around 200 to 400 / cm 2 of the skin surface, and can produce up to 10 L of sweat. There are 2 types of sweat glands. The eccrine and apocrine.
The eccrine sweat glands can be found almost all over our body. These glands secrete water and electrolytes. A lot more of these glands are on the palms, soles, arms , forearms and the forehead. That is why during warm weather, strenuous activities or even when you are nervous or agitated, we may find more sweat on these areas.
Do you know that kids sweat more than adults? At the age of 2 to 3 years old, the number of sweat glands become fixed throughout life. The density of the sweat glands is inversely proportional to the body surface area. When the skin expands with age, the density of the sweat glands decreases.
Sweating is one of body’s way of regulating its core temperature. When sweat evaporates from the skin especially during exercise and in warm weather, our body cools down. Furthermore, through sweating, excess micronutrients, metabolic waste and toxins are flushed out from the body.
SWEATING IT OUT DURING EXERCISE
Another advantage of sweating is during exercise . Energy mediates sweat secretion and energy comes from burning the body’s nutritional sources or calories. Since continuous supply of energy is needed for sustained sweat secretion, continuous burning of calories can help lead to weight loss.
THE POWER OF PHEROMONES
Apocrine glands are mainly found on the underarms, breast areolae, eyelid, anus and genitals, which become active during puberty. These glands are regarded as the scent gland, akin to our bodies natural scent emission. They produce pheromones which can affect human behavior like sexual arousal. Unlike the eccrine glands that mainly secrete water and electrolytes, the apocrine glands secrete milky and viscous fluid that is initially odourless.
OUR UNDERARM ENVIRONMENT
When aporcrine gland secretions come in contact with some bacteria, which are part of the normal flora of the underarms, like Corynebacterium stratum, a body odour is produced. Furthermore, underarm hairs that further trap sweat, dirt, desquamated skin, and bacteria, can make the odour stronger. .
Natural deodorants like Indeora, are designed to neutralize odour and keep the natural flora and microbiome of the underarms in tact. It’s unique magnesium formula is gentle to the skin’s natural flora whilst combatting odour.
Even though sweating is essential, keeping unwanted odour at bay is important. For those who wish to allow their underarm care to be natural and considerate to the underarm biome, a natural deodorant is a great choice.
How?- through the use of deodorants, especially NATURAL DEODORANTS. These are aluminum-free and guaranteed non-toxic. With anti-bacterial properties, natural deodorants can get rid of unwanted body odour.
Author:
Dr Kathleen May FPDS, FPADSFI