Characteristics of Axillary Odor in the Modern Japanese Female

Abstract

In our previous study, we characterized the quality and intensity of axillary odors in Japanese males using sensory evaluation. In order to investigate sex differences in the Japanese population, we evaluated and compared axillary odors of 169 healthy Japanese individuals of both sexes. Odor intensity of females was weaker than that of males. Additionally, odor intensity of males decreased with age, which was not observed in females. A remarkable relationship between odor intensity and earwax types was observed in males, but less frequently in females. The most common axillary odor quality in our study population was a milk-like odor （ type M ）． The percentage distribution of other odor quality types varied between sexes. Notably, females with acidic odor （ type A ） were fewer in number than males. Odor intensity tended to correlate positively with transepidermal water loss （ TEWL ） value within the group of female subjects with dry-type earwax. On the other hand, odor intensity was not related to shaving frequency or depilation treatment of axillary hair removal. These results show that the factors influencing axillary odor may differ between sexes.