Body Hair and Perspiration
Body Hair Removal and Tidy Ups

Fresh as a daisy?
A beautiful body must be clean and fresh too, so complete cleanliness is essential and a daily bath or shower together with regular use of a deodorant is a must if you want to stay fresh and fragrant. Whether you choose to bath or shower in the morning or before bed is unimportant; but it is important to have a thorough wash at the other end of the day as well.
 Everybody perspires - it's a perfectly natural and healthy way of keeping cool. There are about three million sweat glands spread over your entire body, and these go into action whenever your skin temperature reaches around 93°F (34°C). Perspiration actually has little if any smell when it first reaches the skin's surface, but within a short time, the bacteria which are ever-present on the skin act on the perspiration and an odour develops. This can be stronger in certain areas of the body, such as the armpits, firstly because it is more difficult for perspiration to evaporate and secondly because, being warmer, these areas contain a higher proportion of bacteria.
A deodorant, applied to the underarm skin, will counteract odour and destroy the bacteria which cause it. It will not stop perspiration, however, so that within a few hours the continuing perspiration will wash away the effective chemicals.
An anti-perspirant, in addition to deodorising, will also reduce the function of the sweat glands in the underarm area -quite safely, as sweat glands elsewhere will carry out this essential activity. This means that an anti-perspirant is more thorough and lasting and is therefore the better choice.
Both deodorants and anti-perspirants are available in liquid, solid, cream or powder form; and both can be applied by roll-on ball, aerosol spray, stick, fingertip or powder puff. Liquids are the least likely to mark your clothing and roll-ons give the best total coverage.
The manufacturers give various different scents to their products and it is possible to match the scent of your deodorant or anti-perspirant to your soap, perfume etc. Many people, however, prefer to choose the unscented varieties also available so as to avoid any possibility of conflicting perfumes.
Always apply your chosen product daily to clean, dry and unbroken skin. Allow 2 to 3 minutes for it to dry, keeping your arms well away from your body during this time.
If you suffer from excessive perspiration, then it is well-worth considering fitting dress-shields into your clothes. (If a garment does become stained by perspiration, try dabbing the stain with a little white vinegar.)
Serious perspiration odour is a problem your GP can help with, so always consult him or her if normal methods of control don't work for you.
Feet, too, can have perspiration odour problems, as this is another area where perspiration cannot easily evaporate. Tights or stockings should be clean every day; and you should try not to wear the same pair of shoes day after day, too, but rest them for at least a day after use.
For extra-fresh feet, dry thoroughly after washing and then dust with talcum powder. If foot odour is a problem, use a foot deodorant before you dress. A spray-on version is a particularly good choice, as it can, if necessary, be re-applied through tights.
So-called 'feminine' deodorants, for use in the vaginal area, have been given publicity in recent years; however their use is not medically advisable. The perfume content of such products can cause irritation or even an allergic reaction which is particularly uncomfortable in this delicate area; and the anti-bacterial action can upset nature's balance of healthy bacteria. Regular washing with soap and water plus a daily change of underwear is all you need to keep you fresh and to deal with any normal odour. Any abnormal odour should not be masked, but investigated by your doctor.
Fresh breath too!
Fresh breath depends on clean teeth as well as a healthy digestive system. Make sure your teeth are kept scrupulously clean with regular brushing - use dental floss to stop particles of food catching in the crevices.
You can use a mouthwash to make extra-sure that your breath is fresh. Put a few drops in warm water and rinse your mouth after you clean your teeth at the start of the day. This is especially important if you are a smoker.
There are also breath-freshening sprays and tablets available which can be helpful after eating highly-spiced or strongly flavoured foods, but if you continue to have problems with breath freshness consult your dentist or doctor.

Spray-on foot deodorants are quick and easy to use even through tights

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