Deodorants: Do We
Really Need Them?
The
study was based on a sample of 6,495 women who are part of the wider Children
of the 90s study at the University of Bristol. The researchers found that about
two per cent (117 out of 6,495) of mothers carry a rare version of a particular
gene (ABCC11), which means they don't produce any under-arm odour.
While about five per cent of people who produce an odour do not use deodorant, more than a fifth (26 out of 117) of those who don't produce an odour do not use deodorant, a statistically highly significant difference. However, 78 per cent of people who do not produce odour, still use deodorant on all or most days.
Speaking
about the novel finding, published Jan. 17 in the Journal of
Investigative Dermatology, the lead author Professor Ian Day said: "An
important finding of this study relates to those individuals who, according to
their genotype, do not produce under-arm odour. One quarter of these
individuals must consciously or subconsciously recognise that they do not
produce odour and do not use deodorant, whereas most odour producers do use
deodorant.
However, three quarters of those who do not produce an odour regularly use deodorants; we believe that these people simply follow socio-cultural norms. This contrasts with the situation in North East Asia, where most people do not need to use deodorant and they don't."
However, three quarters of those who do not produce an odour regularly use deodorants; we believe that these people simply follow socio-cultural norms. This contrasts with the situation in North East Asia, where most people do not need to use deodorant and they don't."
The
first author of the paper, Dr Santiago Rodriguez added: "These findings
have some potential for using genetics in the choice of personal hygiene
products. A simple gene test might strengthen self-awareness and save some
unnecessary purchases and chemical exposures for non-odour producers."
The
authors highlight that people who carry this rare genetic variant are also more
likely to have dry (rather than sticky) ear wax and that checking ear wax is a
good indicator of whether or not a person produces under-arm odour.
Previous
studies have shown that there is a link between a genetic variant located in
the ABCC11 gene and under-arm odour. Sweat glands produce sweat which, combined
with bacteria, result in under-arm odour. The production of odour depends on
the existence of an active ABCC11 gene. However, the ABCC11 gene is known to be
inactive in some people.
This
study looked for the first time at deodorant usage in relation to ABCC11
genotype and also in comparison with other factors such as age, background and
general household hygiene. At the individual level, the influence of ABCC11
genotype was much stronger than the other factors. The statistical support for
the ABCC11 finding was extremely strong -- the random chance of getting the
same answer was less than one in a million million million odds.
Story Source:
The
above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Bristol.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further
information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
1. Santiago Rodriguez, Colin D Steer, Alexandra
Farrow, Jean Golding, Ian N M Day. Dependence of Deodorant Usage on
ABCC11 Genotype: Scope for Personalized Genetics in Personal Hygiene. Journal
of Investigative Dermatology, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/jid.2012.480
