Lack of sleep and its effects on the body
Sleep is the time when the body restores, balances hormones, and eliminates toxins. When you sleep less or lack sleep for a long time, this process is disrupted, leading to many physiological changes. Not only does it make you feel tired and your skin look dull, but lack of sleep can also make body odor more pronounced.
A study by Wright Jr. and colleagues published in the Journal of Applied Physiology (2015) found that sleep deprivation disrupts the autonomic nervous system, causing sweat glands to function abnormally. This can lead to increased sweating even when resting, thereby increasing the risk of body odor.【pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov†L1-L10】.
Hormones and increased body odor during sleep deprivation
When the body lacks sleep, the level of cortisol - a stress hormone - increases abnormally. Cortisol not only makes you irritable and tired, but also directly affects the apocrine sweat glands, which are the main reason why sweat is easily broken down by bacteria into odor. A report by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (2017) also pointed out that people who regularly sleep less than five hours a night are at risk of increased body odor due to disorders in the sweat secretion process and changes in the skin's microbiome balance.
Skin bacteria and weakened immunity
Another factor is the impact of sleep deprivation on the immune system. When the immune system is weakened, bacteria on the skin can thrive, especially Corynebacterium – the main bacteria that breaks down sweat to create odor. This is why after a sleepless night, you may feel your body “smells worse” even if you haven’t exercised much.
Genetic factors and individual differences
Not everyone who sleeps less smells the same. A study published in Nature Genetics (2009) pointed to the role of the ABCC11 gene. About 80–90% of East Asians, including Vietnamese, carry this gene variant that causes the apocrine glands to secrete less odor-causing compounds. As a result, some people, despite not sleeping enough and sweating a lot, still have less body odor than European or African populations, where only about 2–3% of the population has this variant【nature.com†L1-L9】.
Odor control solutions when sleep deprived
Seven to eight hours of quality sleep is still the best way to reduce body odor. However, during busy periods when lack of sleep is unavoidable, you can support your body by drinking plenty of water, maintaining a healthy diet, limiting foods with strong odors such as garlic, onions, alcohol, and maintaining personal hygiene and changing clothes regularly.
In addition, the use of deodorant is also very necessary. Men can trust Breeze Spray Invisible Protection 150ml with the ability to control odor for up to 48 hours without worrying about yellowing clothes. Women can choose Breeze Roll-on Perfect Beauty 50ml With delicate perfume scent, effectively deodorizes and brings confidence in daily communication.
Conclude
Science has proven that lack of sleep can make the body smell worse due to hormonal disorders, increased sweat gland activity, weakened immune system and changes in skin microflora. However, genetics is also an important factor, causing the level of body odor to vary from person to person. To stay healthy and confident, combine enough sleep, scientific hygiene and choosing the right deodorant.