Likely to use deodorant? It's all in the genes

People who carrying a certain gene variant, that determines that they have fresher underarms than others, are less likely to purchase antiperspirants or deodorants.

A certain type of gene, called rs17822931, which is a SNP (Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism) seems to dictate whether or not a person is likely to purchase antiperspirants and deodorants. This is according to some new genetic research carried out at the University of Bristol and reported on Genomeweb. The research has shown that a genes are linked to underarm odor (as well as earwax type). Whether people have a certain genetic variant determines how smelly their arms are and how likely they are to use deodorants. The study looked at over 17,000 people, who were part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. The findings showed that people with the genetic variant were five times more likely to never use deodorant or use it very infrequently compared to those that did not possess the variant. The study only looked at things from a genetic perspective. There are of course social and cultural factors which come into play, in that people without the genetic variant, who produce more body odor, will sometimes not use deodorants even though their body odor would suggest that they should do. The research has been published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.