Armpit hair is characterized by the presence of sweat glands which produce sweat that contains volatile organic compounds. When these compounds are broken down by bacteria on the skin, they produce odor.
Preventing odor is essential for personal hygiene and social acceptability. Armpit hair removal can be a solution to armpit odor, as it reduces the surface area for bacteria to grow. Historically, armpit hair removal has been practiced in various cultures for aesthetic and hygienic reasons.