Body odor is not caused by sweat, but by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by certain bacteria when certain bacteria break down the fatty acids in your sweat. And in an approach to help people maintain good personal hygiene, a new device that is claimed to prevent armpit odor without the use of deodorant, by killing those bacteria with plasma.
The heights technology is taking us is mind-blowing because whoever thought there could ever be a whole device to combat armpit odor other than deodorants??
CodeSteri Inc., a tech-driven startup from Hanyang University, has launched PlaDeo, the world’s first electronic deodorant device powered by bio-plasma. Developed by Dr. TaeHo Lim and Dr. JungChi Seo, PlaDeo eliminates bacteria responsible for producing underarm odor using cold atmospheric plasma. This innovative solution is designed to manage axillary bromhidrosis, a chronic underarm odor, without the use of chemicals, pore-blocking agents, or aluminum salts.
PlaDeo, formerly Pragrant, won the CES Innovation Award in 2020 for its innovative personal care technology. Unlike traditional deodorants, PlaDeo uses reactive oxygen species (ROS) to neutralize odor-causing bacteria and residues on the skin, ensuring a non-toxic, non-residue, and skin-safe experience for daily users.
The PlaDeo produces cold atmospheric plasma, an ionized gas, when the button is pressed for one and a half minutes. By pressing the button twice, the duration of each pit can be extended to three minutes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced by this plasma, rupture the outer cell walls of bacteria that cause odor, such as Corynebacterium xerosis and Staphylococcus hominis.
Any volatile organic compound molecules that these microorganisms create are likewise broken down by the ROS. The ROS is said not to damage skin cells because of the 1-cm distance between the skin and the device’s plasma emitter. The PlaDeo prevents users’ armpits from smelling throughout the day.
A clinical trial conducted in October involving 33 participants from 19 countries, including daily deodorant users, found that PlaDeo technology significantly reduced or completely eliminated armpit odor.
The device also killed over 90% of targeted bacterial populations after three minutes of use. The study, published in Scientific Reports, was based on self-assessments and was conducted on daily deodorant users who had previously considered medical treatment for excessive body odor.
The PlaDeo doesn’t contain chemical residues, skin irritation, or artificial scents, and can run for 2.5 hours per charge. The device’s battery life ensures multiple sessions without needing to recharge. Despite its advanced technology, the user experience is designed to be simple and accessible.
