By Wilma Gonzales Buenaobra
For someone born with a highly developed olfactory nerve, it is quite natural to develop a curiosity bordering on a mild fascination about scents and smell.
Have you often wondered why for instance, the perfume you put on in the morning has become imperceptible after a few hours, while others still detect the scent? And how is it that people with body odors do not seem to be aware of it? That it is necessary for them to use a deodorant because the scent they emit is offensive? Similarly, families with body odors seem to be oblivious of how they collectively stink; alas, much to the discomfort of others!
So, for those who has a heightened sense of smell, that is the story of our life – we have to put up with this inconvenience. Why? We do not have the nerve to call anybody’s attention to do something about the unpleasant odor they emit.
On the other end of the spectrum are those who almost shower with their colognes, afraid that it is not strong enough! Check the Middle Eastern and the African American population about these as scents can also be too strong for comfort.
Interestingly enough, the smelly people are the first ones who vehemently deny they need to use a deodorant at all. This is evidenced by many attempts of well-meaning coworkers who gift the offending party with a beautiful set of soap, cologne, and yes, a deodorant! The odor-emitter would nonchalantly pick up the deodorant, and say, “Here, you can have this. I don’t need it,” albeit much to the dismay of the well-intentioned gift givers. Yes, I have seen that scenario often enough to know that approach doesn’t work. Alas, once again, people are distracted, albeit annoyed, by an unpleasant smell at the workplace!
Over the years, my sensitivity to smell has brought me to become aware that our olfactory nerve becomes desensitized to smell over time. Sometimes this happens in a few hours, which explains why our nose fail to detect the expensive perfume we just put on in the morning while others get a sniff of it as we pass by. Likewise, people who are on the less pleasant end of the spectrum, become totally oblivious of how their entire family, err stinks! However, practicing good old hygiene is a simple solution: soap, water, and a deodorant takes care of the offending problem, especially in the critical areas. Shower daily in the summer, and at least thrice a week in the winter months with the use of a good deodorant and/or some nice, pleasant scent on top is a good idea. It goes without saying that we need to change to freshly laundered clothes thereafter. It looks like careful attention to personal hygiene is part of good grooming and, yes, good breeding. Classy people do not stink, that’s for sure.
As for the smell of bad breath, that is a topic for another day. Today, we are just dealing with the body.
My sally into scents and smell due to my inordinate olfactory sensitivity, has led me to a new category of smell that is curiously and distinctly noticeable amongst the elderly. I first got the whiff of this at work whilst conversing with older/senior supervisors at work, when visiting nursing homes, and whenever I am near the elderly.
Eureka, an olfactory discovery…
Reason why our dearly beloved elderlies smell differently? As our skin matures, its natural antioxidant protection declines. This decline results in greater oxidation of lipid acid. When lipid acid is oxidized, the chemical compound nonenal is produced, giving off the “old people smell” that many of us are familiar with. There is nothing wrong with this because it is part of the natural evolution of our body. Just as strong hormones, including pheromones, emit strong odors as well.
We just need to be mindful of it and use some products that will address the neonal scent or “old people” smell. There are soaps that address this. Lightly scented moisturizers also help. Some are affordable and some are not so. Choose your wild. But they are out there in the market to resolve this embarrassing issue we do not have to endure. Of course, good old hygienic practices of showering, bathing, applying deodorant, new fresh citrusy scents in the market greatly help in maintaining your pleasant personality. Don’t forget to change into freshly washed clean clothes after your washing ritual.
As for wearing a scent, there are those who call some perfumes “old lady” smell. So, if you want an updated scent, which emits freshness and youth, choose a citrusy scent over flowery, musky, and strong scents. It is a package after all. You can’t be approachably attractive and stink at the same time? Neonal can be addressed effectively, not only for yourself, but also for the family and/or caregivers who truly care for their elderly loved ones or wards.
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NB: Ms. Buenaobra, is a free-lance writer. Prior to relocating to the US, she worked at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the Philippines. She is a retiree from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and was also a professor of Tagalog at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., USA.