The heat wave that peaked yesterday in much of the U.S. (I got a reading of 104 degrees in western Massachusetts) brings to mind lots of hot-weather related images and topics.
For example, how about reaching back in time to Harry Belafonte and that song he used to do about harvesting those bananas? Definitely a heat-wave image. Many people used to wonder about the refrain of that song... "day-o, day-o." Why would banana workers use those particular syllables? I think the answer lies in another hot-weather association: They were probably really singing "deo, deo" --not god, but just the Caribbean-accented first part of the word "de-o-dorant." (I'm sure the Gillette company would agree, if they thought about it.)
One recent trend in the deodorant industry (men's anyway) has been the switch from "deodorant" to "anti-perspirant." The former product was intended just to cover up any underarm odor with heavy perfume; the latter is designed to stop you from perspiring at all. That's why the anti-perspirant canister (in photo) doesn't have the caption "smells great all day" that the other one does.
For a while, after the anti-perspirant version was introduced, you could buy either, but it's becoming increasing difficult to find old-fashioned "deodorant" these days. It just isn't trendy, and manufacturers, I'm sure, are looking to close down this legacy product line and push us into the new stuff. And that's why the AP version has the misleading tag "deodorant" written under "anti-perspirant." Webster's take note: Deodorant is being redefined! (Side note: At the same time, it's becoming more costly -- the new high-tech AP is 3.00 ounces, the old stuff, 3.25.)
Personally, though I was never a huge fan of the overwhelming perfume approach, I don't care much for the new version. It has the look and consistency of lard (which makes great pie crusts but lacks appeal for use on my body). It also leaves me feeling ... dry, yes, but the driness is as if I had spread a layer of superglue, or spackling, under my arms. Which, come to think of it, is probably exactly what's going on.
More important, though, is that the "convenience" of AP over deodorant may have unintended health consequences. The whole concept of "anti-perspirant" is wrongheaded, maybe even dangerous. Yes, we all "perspire." Some of us even "sweat." And, in polite western society, most of us see that as a problem that we try to cover up. But it's our body's natural reaction to overheating, just as dogs stick out their tongues and pant for the same reason. So, if we decide to stop ourselves from sweating (er, "perspiring,"), aren't we going to find out in five or ten years that that practice is causing cancer, giving us heart attacks, or affecting our brains in some way?
In general, I just don't think it's a good idea to try to shut down the body's natural reactions. My bottom line is this: If somebody started marketing a product to apply to your sphincter, and called it "anti-excretant," would you USE IT? Good luck with that. I believe I'll stick with the deodorant, as long as I can still get it.
summer is coming arnuod and I'm ready to give up on hoping deodorants will finally work for me. please tell me about the various surgical treatments. I heard of botox, I heard of suction, I even heard something about lasers, but I have not heard from anyone who has done anything more drastic. any recommendations? so yes, I do suffer from excessive armpit sweat from time to time. no wait, all the time. let's not kid arnuod. it gets worse when I get nervous or excited. I've tried all the deodorants, I've been through powder treatments and I'm ready to begin searching for a doc who will really do something about it. alas, I don't know what to ask for. I want something that just stops my armpits from producing sweat. as in cold, as in completely, if possible. I'm drawn to the deal with this once and be done with it kind of solutions. I would like to hear your recommendations or experiences.
Posted by: Clark | October 29, 2012 at 01:30 AM