AFASites and the Need to Prioritise Scent Care

Blessing Iviero & Eniola Awolesi

In the pursuit of academic success and well-being, some crucial factors should not be overlooked by AFASites, one of which is scentcare. Scentcare refers to any set of practices aimed at maintaining pleasant body odours and creating a conducive olfactory environment. Although not as emphasised as it should be, poor scent hygiene can lead to discomfort, distraction, and even hinder learning outcomes. This makes understanding the importance of scentcare and its impact on learning essential.

Generally, poor scent is characterized by foul-smelling body fumes, and it can have detrimental effects on both the individual and those in their surrounding environment. In an educational setting, such as the Faculty of Arts, where students spend significant time in classrooms and study spaces together, poor scent hygiene can lead to distractions and discomfort. Imagine a student struggling to focus during lectures due to a classmate’s overpowering body odour. He is trying to shield his nose as well as concentrate on taking lecture notes. Such situations not only affect the learning experience but also disrupt the overall learning environment.

This poor scent hygiene can result from various factors, ranging from personal habits to underlying health conditions. Understanding the causes of poor scent hygiene is the first step in addressing and mitigating its effects. One of the primary causes of poor scent hygiene is inadequate personal hygiene practices. Both go hand-in-hand. Maintaining a poor bathing habit, wearing unwashed clothes over and over, and not using appropriate grooming products are some of the hygiene-related factors.

In eliminating body odour, it is also important to know that they are not always self-inflicted; some conditions are medical. Excessive sweating is one such condition. In medicine, it is referred to as hyperhidrosis and can be a result of genetics, hormonal changes, hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders and infections, or other medical conditions. Excessive sweating creates a breeding ground for bacteria, and this makes a great contribution toward body odour.

Diet is another contributor to body odour. Consuming foods with strong odours, such as garlic, onions, and spicy foods, can cause the body to exude unpleasant smells through sweat and breath. These and some processed foods, together with sugary beverages, can alter the body’s natural odour.

Causes of body odour are not limited to these; there are also psychological factors, such as stress and anxiety, that can trigger an increase in sweat production. Regardless of the cause, the effects of poor scent hygiene extend beyond physical discomfort. There are implications of social stigma, psychological distress, and effects on academic performance. 

Although not a popular opinion, poor scent hygiene significantly impacts academic performance and learning outcomes, particularly in educational settings. Affected students may make it difficult for others to concentrate in classrooms, they are almost unable to perform in group activities and can’t engage in extracurriculars. These can hinder academic success as well as overall educational experiences.

Maintaining proper scent care is paramount for enhancing learning outcomes. Inarguably, scentcare helps create a comfortable and conducive environment for learning. Even students known for academic brilliance may underperform when subjected to the torture of foul smells emanating from their mates that they have to study with and this also goes the other way around. 

Various products contribute to positive scentcare, from traditional deodorants to perfumes and body sprays. All have various functions, but the end goal is the same. Deodorants prevent bacterial growth and neutralize the power of unpleasant smells. Roll-on deodorants offer long-lasting protection and are convenient for on-the-go use. Body mists and perfumes add a pleasant fragrance to the skin, while body sprays provide instant freshness and help to maintain a pleasant scent. Perfume oils, on the other hand, offer a more subtle and long-lasting fragrance. They are suitable for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies.

Now, while there is a wide range of scentcare products available in the market, not all students can afford luxury brands. Fortunately, several budget-friendly options provide effective odour protection at affordable prices. Perfume oils, in particular, offer excellent value for money as they require only a small or affordable amount. Not only that, other affordable deodorant brands, such as Makari, Bibi Bright, Body Secrets, Premier Cool, etc, offer effective odour protection without buyers having to break the bank. There are ways to use these products to make them last longer on the skin, it is simply applying them to the body’s pulse points.

The importance of scentcare in enhancing learning cannot be overstated because consequently, maintaining proper scent hygiene efficiently creates a comfortable and distraction-free environment and promotes confidence and social interactions. Therefore, scentcare must be prioritized as part of a student’s personal grooming routine.