Can a 5 year old wear deodorant: Using Deodorant for Kids and Teens (for Parents)

Using Deodorant for Kids and Teens (for Parents)

For most kids, body odor is part of growing up. Kids start to have body odor around the time puberty starts and hormones change. Usually, this happens when females are 8–13 years old, and males are 9–14. But it can also be normal to start puberty earlier or later.

Bathing every day, especially after a lot of sweating or in hot weather, can help with body odor. So can wearing clean clothes, underwear, and socks each day. But many parents also wonder if it’s time for kids to start using deodorant.

What Are the Types of Deodorant?

Two types of products can help with body odor:

• Deodorants cover up the smell of body odor, usually with fragrances. 
• Antiperspirants stop or dry up perspiration or sweat. They do this by temporarily blocking the pores where sweat comes from.

Deodorants, antiperspirants, and combination products come in sticks, roll-ons, gels, sprays, and creams and are sold at any many stores.

When Should Kids Start Using Deodorant?

There’s no set age at which kids can start using deodorants or antiperspirants. When they do start, they should read and follow the directions. Younger kids should use a stick, roll-on, or cream product rather than a spray (aerosol) option until they’re old enough to use those safely without spraying them in their face or inhaling them.

What Kind of Deodorant Is Best for Kids?

Early on, kids may get benefit from deodorant. Later in puberty, sweating increases so it might help to switch to a product that handles both odor and perspiration.

Deodorants and antiperspirants are safe for kids. Some have packaging or scents designed to appeal to young users, but the main ingredients are the same. Some are labeled “natural,” but they aren’t better for health than regular options. Use whatever you and your child are comfortable with.

To help your child or teen with body odor, choose a product that feels comfortable and works well. Watch for a rash to make sure it doesn’t irritate your child’s skin. If a rash develops, try a different product. Your child might prefer the scent of one product over another, or even an unscented one. It might take a few tries before you find the right one.

Using Deodorant Correctly

For an antiperspirant or deodorant to do its job, it must be used correctly. Some antiperspirants work better if they’re used at night, while others recommend application in the morning. They generally are for use under the arms, but some antiperspirants are OK to use on the hands or feet if those areas are especially sweaty. Read the label so you know how to use it.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Some kids develop body odor before the usual age of puberty. Talk to the doctor if your child has body odor and is younger than 7 or 8 years (for a girl) or 9 years (for a boy). The doctor can check for signs of puberty starting early, which sometimes needs treatment with medicine. If there are no signs of early puberty, body odor isn’t usually a health problem. But your doctor can reassure your child if they feel self-conscious or worried about sweating or body odor.

Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD

Date reviewed: June 2022

Body odor in kids: How to treat a 5-, 6- or 7-year old’s stinky armpits

Because of how earnest and adorable they are, kids are doled out a bounty of Get Out of Jail Free cards on a variety of social graces, so to speak. Chocolate smudged on their upper lip? Kinda sweet. Grass stains and holes all over their pants? They’re just kids! But body odor, which can occur in 7-, 6- and even 5-year-olds, generally isn’t considered cute, leaving most moms, dads and caregivers wanting to nip stinky armpits in the bud right off the bat. 

First thing’s first, though. While body odor in children can be hard to be around (and smell), it’s perfectly normal. “As kids get closer to puberty, the adrenal glands start to ‘wake up’ a bit and activate sweat glands,” explains Dr. Nick DeBlasio, a pediatrician at the Pediatric Primary Care Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. “The sweat produced reacts with bacteria on the skin and the result is body odor.”

Got a 6-year-old who’s smelling more ripe than sweet as of late? Here’s everything you need to know about body odor in little kids. 

“As kids get closer to puberty, the adrenal glands start to ‘wake up’ a bit and activate sweat glands.”

— DR. NICK DEBLASIO, PEDIATRICIAN

What causes body odor in younger kids?

According to Dr. Deborah Shropshire, a pediatrician at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, body odor is generally caused by a combination of the chemicals in sweat being broken down by bacteria that are on the skin. “While sweat is made up of mostly water, it also contains small amounts of other chemicals, such as proteins and salts,” Shropshire says. “The specific sweat glands located in the armpits and groin areas are different from other sweat glands and have more concentration of other chemicals, so the scents produced by the bacteria tend to be stronger. ” 

“The specific sweat glands located in the armpits and groin areas are different from other sweat glands.”

— DR. DEBORAH SHROPSHIRE, PEDIATRICIAN

What causes armpit odor in a younger child?

As Shropshire notes, there’s a higher concentration of chemicals in people’s armpits (yes, including 5-year-olds), and the result is a stronger smell.

“Usually the smell is from the type of sweat glands located in the armpits, which produce more sweat and sweat with more chemicals in it, which are then transformed by bacteria into scents,” Shropshire says.

And, she adds, what people eat can also affect the odor, as well. “For example, garlic and cabbage can cause sweat to contain more sulfur, which tends to smell worse to other people.”  

Is body odor in children normal?

Teens may be “notorious for having body odor,” according to Shropshire, but younger kids — as in 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds — aren’t exempt. “When my daughter was in second grade, I noticed she was a little stinky when she came home from school,” says Karen P. , a mom of three in Edison, New Jersey. “But out of my three, she was the only one that had body odor that early on.”

“Teenagers tend to have body odor because the hormone changes occurring during puberty change the composition of sweat,” Shropshire explains, “but children can also have body odor through the same process of sweat being broken down by bacteria into scented chemicals. The chemical composition of sweat can include not only ‘routine’ things like salt, but also can be affected by what a child is eating, how much sweat they produce [some children have overactive sweat glands], how often and well they bathe and the type of bacteria found on the skin.”

In other words: As the case is with all things child related, each kid is different and will sweat — and stink — at their own pace and intensity.

Should body odor in kids ever be a concern?

While rare, some medical conditions can be the cause of unusual skin odors, according to Shropshire. “Usually these will be present in other places, such as breath or urine, or they’ll have other symptoms of illness. But certainly if an infant or child has really unusual body odor or a change in the way they smell that doesn’t seem to be related to puberty, it’s worth getting checked out,” she says. 

Is it safe for younger kids to wear deodorant and/or antiperspirant?  

Before you go shopping for what most of us refer to as “deodorant,” remember: Deodorants and antiperspirants (which can come either separate or together) aren’t the same thing. “Deodorants help cover up or change the body’s scent while antiperspirants actually slow the amount of sweat produced by glands,” Shropshire explains. Put another way: Deodorant won’t stop 7-year-olds from sweating, but it can help minimize their body odor.  

A potential negative side effect from either is skin irritation for kids with sensitive skin, Shropshire notes, though it’s “pretty uncommon.” 

According to Dr. Jen Trachtenberg, a board-certified pediatrician in New York City, kids who haven’t been hit with teenage hormones or puberty quite yet should stick to deodorant, as it’s unlikely they’re sweating enough to warrant an antiperspirant.  

Additionally, antiperspirant contains aluminum, which “some folks in the medical community have voiced concerns about,” according to Shropshire. “While the negative effects of the ingredients in antiperspirants haven’t been proven, most pediatricians don’t recommend antiperspirant use in pre-pubertal children,” she adds. 

In general, though, it’s considered perfectly safe for young kids to use deodorant. “There isn’t an age requirement for wearing deodorant,” Trachtenberg says. “Using deodorant to control odor is a personal preference.” 

“There isn’t an age requirement for wearing deodorant. Using deodorant to control odor is a personal preference.”

— DR. JEN TRACHTENBERG, PEDIATRICIAN

Natural ways to treat body odor in kids

Not ready to make the leap into the land of deodorant — or simply want to prepare kids with an arsenal of B.O. defenders? Shropshire recommends the following natural ways to combat body odor in kids:

• Regular bathing, which can be either every day or when they get dirty, sweaty or start to have B. O.
• Eating a healthy diet that includes fresh, leafy vegetables. 
• For some children, drinking soy or almond milk instead of cow’s milk can also make a difference. 
• Trying a DIY deodorant, such as the one from Wellness Mama, which uses shea butter, coconut oil and baking soda.

Finally, Shropshire says that if “reasonable efforts around hygiene and minor diet changes don’t help, or if your child is having other symptoms,” speak to your child’s pediatrician to make sure no other medical issue exists.

At what age can you use deodorant?

According to statistics, only 50% of women and 25% of men use deodorants. It is worth teaching hygiene from childhood, so as you grow up, introduce your child to the means of protection against sweat and odor. Rexona experts will tell you at what age a child can use deodorant.

Minimum age to use deodorant

Sweating is a normal physiological process that helps to cool the body. The baby begins to sweat within a few months after birth, but at an early age, sweat does not smell in children. nine0003

In fact, sweat does not smell even in adults: a pungent odor appears due to the vital activity of bacteria. Before the onset of puberty, only the endocrine glands are responsible for thermoregulation, and with the onset of adolescence, the apocrine glands are activated. They are located next to the hair follicles on the scalp, pubis, and armpits.

The sweat secreted by the apocrine glands is more viscous in texture and contains not only moisture but also volatile fatty acids. It is the proteins and lipids in sweat that create a breeding ground for bacteria that actively develop and cause unpleasant odors. Therefore, you can start using deodorant with the onset of puberty (9-13 years for girls and 11-14 years for boys*). At the same time, you need to monitor the hygiene of a teenager: he needs to take a shower regularly, and also put on clean and dry linen and clothes every day.

How to choose

When choosing a deodorant, evaluate:

• how it is applied. Pencil and roll-on deodorant are easy to apply, the aerosol should be used at first under the supervision of parents, since if it is sprayed incorrectly, it can get on the mucous membranes. The most hygienic way is an aerosol, it does not have an applicator in contact with the skin; nine0018
• medium type. If the child has excessive sweating, it is better to use an antiperspirant. It will reduce the activity of sweat glands, help prevent irritation;
• fragrance. Let your child rely on his own taste and choose the smell that he likes.

Parental Precautions

Dermatologists do not recommend using the same roll-on or stick for two different people. Your child should have their own deodorant or antiperspirant. Tell us about the precautions: warn that a small amount of the product should be applied to dry and clean skin immediately after a shower, that the product should not be applied to damaged skin or immediately after shaving, convince them of the importance of daily hygiene procedures and the specifics of how deodorant and antiperspirant work. If irritation or allergies appear on the skin, stop using the product and consult a doctor. nine0003

* A.V. Solntseva, A.V. Sukalo “Premature sexual development in children”, Educational and methodological manual, Minsk, Belarusian State Medical University, 2010

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At what age can you use deodorant

Recommendation

The smell of sweat is a tricky thing. He can attack at any moment: yesterday you spent hours skating with your friends without any consequences, and today the T-shirt smells worse than the school locker room after the competition. But don’t panic – AX will teach you how to easily deal with unpleasant odors. But first, let’s figure out at what age you can use deodorant and how to choose it correctly. nine0003

Initiation

Congratulations – you’ve joined the tough guys club. Over the next few years, your body will undergo many changes. The smell of sweat is the first signal that you are becoming an adult. With that comes more responsibility: make it a habit to take a shower every day, change your T-shirt more often, and wear detox regularly. These simple but mandatory hygiene procedures determine how you will smell during the day. Agree, the aroma of deodorant is much more pleasant than the pungent smell of sweat. In addition, it can become a personal “chip” – an element around which your style is built. nine0003

For each of the boys, the process of growing up starts individually, so there is no unequivocal answer to the question of how old one can use deodorant. Someone can manage up to 14 years with one shower. In other guys, the sweat glands turn on as early as 9 years old. Both of these are quite normal.

Where does smell come from

In fact, we sweat almost from birth. Already at 3-4 weeks of life, the eccrine sweat glands are included in the work. They are scattered over the entire surface of the body and help the body not to overheat. After playing sports, under a warm winter jacket or during illness, the T-shirt gets wet quickly. Such sweat consists of water with a slight admixture of salts and has neither color nor smell – it is obviously too early to think about deodorant. nine0003

The smell of sweat is associated with the work of the apocrine sweat glands. They are located under the armpits, on the head and in the groin and wake up with the onset of puberty. The sweat they produce is more viscous in texture, because it includes fats, proteins and other waste products of cells. By itself, sweat is practically odorless. But it serves as a bait for all kinds of bacteria – the more of them, the stronger the smell. Health conditions, hormone activity and nutrition also affect personal body odor.

How to choose a deodorant

Anti-sweat products are very different in composition, purpose and method of application. First of all, it is worth deciding what enemy we are fighting:

• If the main problem is the smell, a regular deodorant will do. It contains antibacterial components that eliminate the cause of unpleasant amber.
  It’s up to you to decide how to smell: pear and cedar with AX BLACK deodorant spray, tart chocolate with AX DARK TEMPTATION aerosol, fresh grapefruit with notes of cardamom with AX EPIC FRESH. Or maybe you will like AX EXCITE, characterized by an unusual woody aroma with a refined caramel-marshmallow sweetness and vanilla-coconut trail, or brutal AX LEATHER AND COOKIES with an unexpected combination of aromas. How long you can use deodorant, in this case it’s not very important – sprays gently fall on maturing skin and practically do not cause irritation; nine0018
• AX BLACK and AX AFRICA stick-and-stick antiperspirants will help you deal with profuse sweating. Their active substances penetrate into the sweat glands – narrow their channels and reduce the very production of sweat. It is better to postpone their use until an urgent need – this will help the glands to tune in to work properly;
• There is also a combo option. Deodorants-antiperspirants will allow you to forget about wet marks on a T-shirt, and at the same time neutralize all possible bacteria. nine0018

Otherwise, the choice of antiperspirants depends on personal preference. To understand all the subtleties, we advise you to test aerosols and sticks at least once – this is the only way to determine what suits you specifically.

Even the most effective deodorant does not cancel the trip to the shower in the morning and after training. The product should be applied only to clean skin, giving it time to dry after water procedures. This will allow it to be evenly distributed under the armpits, and it is guaranteed that there will be no white streaks on the T-shirt. If sweat stains appear on clothes, mercilessly send them to the wash – odorous bacteria feel great on the fabric. nine0003

So, we found out that there is no specific age when the sweat glands begin to work actively: it happens at different times for everyone. So always be ready! As soon as you smell sweat after active training, then – here it is, the very moment when you moved to a new stage in your development and maturation.