Thinking about getting my underarms done because the sweating and odor seem worse when I shave. Does laser hair removal actually help with sweating and body odor, or is that just something people claim without any real basis? I've heard both that it helps and that it makes no difference, so I'm trying to figure out what's actually true.

Laser hair removal itself doesn't directly reduce sweating because it targets hair follicles, not sweat glands. However, many people do report that they feel less sweaty and notice less odor after treatment, and there are some logical reasons for this. Hair can trap sweat and bacteria against your skin, which contributes to odor. When you remove the hair, sweat evaporates more quickly and bacteria have less surface area to colonize. Also, when you're not shaving regularly, you're not creating micro-cuts and irritation that can make you more prone to bacterial growth. So while laser treatment won't reduce how much you sweat, it can indirectly help with the perception of sweating and definitely can reduce odor. If excessive sweating is a major concern for you, that's actually a separate condition called hyperhidrosis that has its own treatments.

That matches what I've experienced. I had my underarms done primarily because I was tired of the constant maintenance of shaving, but I did notice an improvement in odor afterward. I think it's because the area stays cleaner and drier without hair trapping everything. The sweating itself didn't decrease, but without hair there, I felt fresher throughout the day. My deodorant also seemed to work better and last longer because it was making direct contact with skin rather than getting caught in hair. One unexpected benefit was that I stopped getting those painful ingrown hairs and bumps in my underarms, which used to happen frequently when I was shaving. If you're interested in this, I'd suggest talking to someone at a facility that specializes in best laser hair removal for men treatments. They can explain all the potential benefits and give you realistic expectations. The consultation I had was really informative and helped me understand what results I could actually expect versus what was just hype.