During busy morning hours, especially as people head to work, the air is often filled with mixed scents, almost like a moving exhibition of fragrances as individuals step out of their homes freshly scented.
Almost everyone you pass these days carries a distinct scent, a sign of the growing perfume culture that cuts across age, class and gender.
While many people wear perfume simply to smell good, others apply it for pleasure without realising that incorrect use can lead to skin complications and other health risks.
Several users say they wear perfume for confidence, attraction or personal enjoyment, while perfume vendors confirm that many customers buy fragrances without fully understanding how they should be applied.
Dr Umar Musinguzi of Alma Dermatology Clinic says the correct method of applying perfume depends on the type of fragrance.
Some perfumes are designed for use on clothes, while others can be applied to the skin, but misuse can cause skin problems and other health reactions.
Dr Simon Peter Mundeli, also from Alma Dermatology Clinic, warns against spraying perfume in sensitive areas such as the armpits and stresses that fragrance should never replace proper hygiene.
He advises people with sensitive skin to spray perfume on their clothes at night and wear them the next morning to reduce irritation.
Dr Mundeli also cautions that perfumes exposed to excessive sunlight can deteriorate and become harmful to the skin.
He recommends applying a moisturiser before using perfume directly on the skin to reduce dryness and irritation.
Douglas, a perfume dealer at Ray Perfumes, says fragrances should be chosen carefully depending on weather, environment and personal lifestyle.
He notes that what works for a party may not be suitable for the workplace and warns against copying others or mixing perfumes without understanding how they interact with the skin.
With a wide variety of fragrances now available on the market, experts advise the public to choose well-known brands and learn proper usage to avoid health complications.
As perfume culture continues to grow among both young and old, specialists urge users to ensure that smelling good does not come at the cost of their health.
