Bizarre new dating trend sees men skip the shower and marinate in their own sweat to attract women - but experts warn it's 'more likely to cause a rash than romance'

The internet is rife with terrible relationship advice, but nothing stinks as much as the latest trend urging men to show up for dates in sweaty clothes or without showering.This practice has been branded 'pheromone maxxing' and, similar to looksmaxxing, relates to making oneself more attractive by raising the levels of pheromones to attract a sexual partner.Advocates claim there's nothing more intoxicating to the opposite sex than their 'natural musk' because it allegedly contains chemicals that trigger a mating response in some animals.For the best results, they suggest eliminating showers, deodorant or cologne before first dates, wearing a sweat-soaked shirt, and - in very extreme cases - even drinking your own urine for a successful first date.One alleged proponent said 'pheromone maxxing is key' while filming himself shirtless and flipping his hair on TikTok.The text on the video read: 'Stopped washing my hair at all, and now unironically get more compliments on how it smells and looks (from women)'.American creator Demir Basceri ('cookiekinggg') declared he doesn't shower for 'three days' before seeing a girl, has a bath on the day of the date and then wears the 'same shirt back on' to create a 'halo effect of pheromones'.However, like most TikTok trends, health experts have said 'there is no study that says "do not wash, become irresistible"' and warned that 'pheromone-maxxing' can also cause skin conditions such as severe acne, painful boils, and fungal infections that require medical attention. Advocates claim there's nothing more intoxicating to the opposite sex than their 'natural musk' because it allegedly contains chemicals that trigger a mating response in some animals'The idea behind pheromone maxxing is not scientifically credible,' said sexual health expert Sarah Mulindwa, who is also the wellness expert for adult toy company Lovehoney. 'Pheromones are well established in many animals, but we have not identified a human sex pheromone that works like an invisible aphrodisiac and makes someone automatically more sexually attractive.'Instead, sexual attraction is 'incredibly individual' and often the result of different factors like appearance, personality, communication, emotional connection and personal preference. 'What concerns me most about trends like this is the message underneath them. Young men are essentially being told that there is a biological hack they can perform that will make women unable to resist them. Attraction simply doesn't work that way.' Not only will 'pheromone-maxxing' likely tank your chances of finding love, but experts said it can also cause serious skin conditions. Sweat itself is relatively odourless, but the smell we associate with body odour develops when it interacts with bacteria living on the skin, especially in areas such as the armpits or groin. 'Armpits are warm, wet and full of apocrine (or sweat) glands,' Dr Bakhtiar explained. 'Bacteria, especially corynebacteria and staphylococci, break the secretions down into acids and sulphur compounds. That is the classic stale gym-bag smell.' Advocates claim there's nothing more intoxicating to the opposite sex than their 'natural musk' because it allegedly contains chemicals that trigger a mating response in some animals (Stock image) The longer you go without a shower, and the more you rewear sweaty clothes, the more those bacteria multiply, he added. 'This is more likely to cause a rash than a second date.''Pheromone-maxxers' will be prone to folliculitis, or the inflammation of hair follicles, which causes small, red, itchy 'pus-filled bumps', warned Ana Carolina Goncalves, the Superintendent Pharmacist at online pharmacy Pharmica. The men's health expert added: 'Warm and/or sweaty skin, friction and occlusion from damp or tight clothing can create conditions that make bacterial or yeast-related folliculitis more likely.'One aesthetician told the Daily Mail that she has seen an increase in the number of parents booking treatments for 'sebum buildups as a result of their children not showering'. It could also lead to fungal skin infections like athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm, as fungi thrive in 'warm, moist areas' like the feet, groin, and skin folds.Prolonged exposure to sweat, heat, and friction can also aggravate itching and inflammation in men with eczema, Ana added. Drinking your own urine is where this trend moves from relatively harmless misinformation into behaviour 'I would actively discourage', added Sarah. 'There is absolutely no evidence that drinking urine increases pheromones or makes somebody more sexually attractive.'Urine contains concentrated salts and waste, products your kidneys have filtered from the blood, and consuming it can contribute to dehydration and place additional strain on the kidneys, particularly if repeated.'One aesthetician reported more parents are booking treatments for 'sebum buildup' as a result of their children not showering. 'Unfortunately, these young men have been convinced that not bathing will attract women, but skipping showers causes excessive oil buildup in the skin, leading to breakouts, severe acne and wild body odour,' said Shantelle Clarke. 'I have advised my patients to shower at least twice a day if they are looking for love.'