Hyperhidrosis Center

Don't sweat it: there's more to wetness protection than sticks and sprays. Before you reach for that roll-on, read on
Muscle & Fitness/Hers, May-June, 2003 by Carrie Curtis

If you work out, you sweat. Actually, if you're alive, you sweat. So what's the big deal? Well, in our world crammed full of people in the subway, at restaurants and at the gym, sweating and stinking just aren't things we want to do. The modern-day marvel is that we no longer have to sweat (as much) or stink (as much) as our predecessors did. So if you sweat (and we've established that you do) read on to find out what you can do about it.

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why we sweat

We all sweat under normal conditions; it's just the body's way of regulating temperature. Sweat is mostly water with a small percentage of sodium chloride, and it's generated by millions of sweat glands located throughout the body. There are higher concentrations of sweat glands in the armpits, hands, feet and forehead. Women usually sweat less than men do, with shifts in sweating corresponding to their menstrual cycles.

"Sweat is essential for regulation of body temperature," explains Flor Mayoral, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Miami for 17 years and on voluntary faculty at the University of Miami Department of Dermatology. But while we need to be able to sweat through the vast majority of our millions of sweat glands, it is safe to curb underarm sweat through the use of an antiperspirant.

Antiperspirant is a specific type of over-the-counter (OTC) drug regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The active ingredient in antiper-spirant is aluminum, which works by blocking the sweat ducts. The type of aluminum, or aluminum compound or formula, can vary by brand, but Mayoral explains that the two most common are aluminum chloride and aluminum zirconium. OTC antiperspirants contain no more than 15%-25% of the active ingredient, depending on the compound. The FDA requires that all antiperspirants meet a minimum effectiveness requirement; they must decrease the average person's sweat by at least 20%.

Antiperspirant should be applied once a day. Most people put it on in the morning after a shower, but Mayoral says you can instead apply it at night, right before going to bed, which may heighten absorption and therefore effectiveness. She warns against shaving right before applying antiperspirant because this can cause irritation or rash.

stop the smell

When the bacteria normally present on the skin's surface becomes trapped by sweat, the bacteria thrives, causing odor. Antiperspirant can help prevent body odor simply by preventing sweat in the first place. Deodorant, on the other hand, may contain an antimicrobial or antibacterial agent that destroys bacteria, therefore diminishing odor. Deodorant can be either combined with antiperspirant or sold separately. While the FDA regulates antiperspirant as a drug, deodorant is considered a cosmetic.

The only common side effect of antiperspirant use is skin irritation or rash. If this occurs, use the antiperspirant less frequently, or avoid shaving before applying. If irritation continues, try changing brands. You might also want to avoid "maximum-strength" antiperspirants that may deliver more of the active ingredient. If after trying all the above suggestions you're still experiencing irritation, switch to a deodorant-only stick.
hyperhidrosis and other sweat disorders

If you sweat a lot, you may suffer from the sweat disorder hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is characterized by overactive sweat glands that can cause people to literally drip sweat from hands, forehead, feet and armpits.

To help control excessive sweating, dermatologist Mayoral says there are many new therapies, including Botox injections, specialized surgery and prescription antiperspirants such as Drysol. While a prescription of Drysol won't blow your budget, you've got to really be suffering to fork over the cash to pay for Botox. Just one treatment of Botox for both armpits will cost you around $1,200 and inhibit sweating for just six months. Despite the price, Botox treatment is gaining in popularity, even for those without hyperhidrosis, says Mayoral.
your choice

If your sweat is within the normal range, you aren't likely heading for a Botox treatment, but you may still be pondering which is the right antiperspirant/deodorant for you. Because different antiperspirants have different aluminum compounds or formulas, each one may be more or less effective when combined with your particular body chemistry. Unfortunately, this is impossible to determine without actually testing the products yourself, so you may have to shop around before you find one that works for you.

Besides the active ingredient, the two major differences you will find are application, such as gel, solid, aerosol or roll-on, and scent. Neither application nor scent change effectiveness, so you can choose based purely on your personal preference.

When shopping for an antiperspirant, read labels! If your concern is extra wetness protection, look for "extra strength." If you have no wetness problems, you might simply want a deodorant instead of an antiperspirant. "Clear" or "invisible" will help you avoid white streaks and the "just-shaven skin" formula is a good one for you gals who can't go a day without shaving. If you want to reduce odor, "deodorant" should definitely be on the label. If you want to buy "natural," consider Tom's of Maine brand, which uses a different type of aluminum than other antiperspirants and has chamomile tea and aloe on its list of ingredients. Whatever you decide, remember that sweating is normal and that every body does it.

RELATED ARTICLE: yellow horror

Even with an effective antiperspirant cutting down sweat and a good deodorant stopping and covering up odor, you're still left with one annoyance that no one has solved yet: yellow armpit stains. Here are a few ideas for keeping your whites white:
* Don't buy clothes that are too tight in the armpit. Loose-fitting clothes will allow sweat to evaporate more easily.
* Pre-treat stains immediately. Every time you take off a shirt, don't just throw it in the laundry basket; rub a stain stick directly on the armpit area, even if no stains are showing yet.
* If you don't pre-treat, at least make sure to put detergent directly on the stain before washing it.
* After washing, check your clothes for stains before throwing them in the dryer. If the stain is still present, you need to soak the shirt in detergent, or even bleach (if white), and wash again before drying. Drying will "set" the stain and make removal nearly impossible.
* If you're still ruining your shirts on a regular basis, try a product such as Garment Guard, a disposable underarm shield that sticks directly to your shirt and can be thrown away after use (www.garmentguard.com). Instead of sweating on a $40 shirt, sweat on $2.19 cotton discs.

RELATED ARTICLE: and the winner is ...

Still confused about what antiperspirant is best for you? We put them to the test, and here's what we found. Each of the products reviewed is both an antiperspirant and deodorant. Please keep in mind that all reviews are purely subjective due to differing body chemistry and preference. And because of the vast number of products currently on the market, this review is by no means comprehensive. Price and availability of scents may vary by store.

Degree Invisible Solid, Shower Clean ($2.59)

Great scent. Goes on clear; extremely effective at controlling wetness and odor.

Soft & Dry Invisible Solid, Zensational Spring ($2.15)

Very strong but pleasant scent that lasted all day long, and it actually was invisible. Not the greatest wetness protection.

Dove Soft Solid Silk Protection, Original Clean ($3.69)

Perfect for after shaving. Unique, effective application, but it definitely isn't invisible and will leave marks on clothing. Smells exactly like a Dove soap bar.

Lady Speed Stick Crystal Clean, Softly Scented ($2.09)

Goes on totally clear and won't stain clothing. The light scent doesn't compete with perfume. Seems effective at stopping both odor and wetness.

Arm & Hammer Invisible Solid, Unscented ($2.74)

Won't leave any white residue and is one of the few that are actually completely scentless. Baking powder ingredient makes it extra effective at stopping odor.

Mitchum Clear Gel, Unscented ($2.99)

Supposed to be quick-dry, but it wasn't. It was really messy and runny.

Suave Performance Series, Powder or Fresh ($0.99)

Has the consistency of a solid but goes on clear like a gel, and you can't beat the price.

Secret Sheer Dry Gel Solid, Powder Fresh ($2.19)

Great for all-day protection. Goes on heavy but clear. Will prevent sweating, even in nervous or athletic conditions.

Lady Speed Stick Invisible Dry, Caribbean Cool ($1.89)

Awesome scent! Goes on light and clear. A good one for low-stress or shorter days, as it won't prevent perspiration all day.

Tom's of Maine Natural Roll-on, Unscented ($3.99)

Application feels wet, but once it dries it seems fairly effective. Gentle, good for sensitive skin.

RELATED ARTICLE: truth vs. myth

If you surf the web, you've probably come across the pervasive online rumor about a link between antiperspirants and serious diseases. Scientists have already dismissed the claim that antiperspirants interfere with the release of toxins, or with body temperature regulation. And, in a clinical trial reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (Vol. 94, Oct. 16, 2002) scientists also disproved the rumor that antiperspirant causes breast cancer. The study found no link between women's antiperspirant or deodorant use, before or after shaving, and a higher occurrence of breast cancer. For further information, go to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov) websites.

Another rumor is that antiperspirant can cause Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) has this to say: "The exact role (if any) of aluminum in Alzheimer's disease is still being researched and debated. However, most researchers believe that not enough evidence exists to consider aluminum a risk factor for Alzheimer's or a cause of dementia." Aluminum is present in our water, food, cans, cooking utensils and many other sources, so the absorption (if any) from antiperspirant is considered negligible at this time.

Carrie Curtis is a free-lance writer who frequently contributes to MUSCLE & FITNESS HERS magazine.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

Hyperhidrosis or Excessive Sweating

What is hyperhidrosis?
Where does hyperhidrosis occur?
What are the symptoms of hyperhidrosis?
What are the alternative treatments for hyperhidrosis?
Is there a surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis?