What if antiperspirant doesn t work?

Are you tired of sweating through your shirt before lunchtime? Have you tried every brand of antiperspirant on the market and still find yourself feeling drippy and gross? Don’t sweat it! Or, well, do sweat it. But don’t panic. There are plenty of options for dealing with excessive sweat that go beyond just relying on traditional antiperspirants.

A Quick Note

Before we dive into solutions, let’s first talk about what causes excessive sweating in the first place. An overactive nervous system can cause a person to produce more sweat than necessary to regulate their body temperature. This condition is called hyperhidrosis and affects around 3% of people worldwide. So, while using a certain type or brand of antiperspirant may work for some people who experience regular levels of perspiration, those with hyperhidrosis may need to explore alternative treatment methods.

Types of Sweat

Did you know there are different types of sweat glands in your body? Eccrine glands are the most common and secrete an odorless fluid that cools off your skin as it evaporates (that’s why sweaty palms feel clammy!). Apocrine glands are located primarily under your arms and near hair follicles elsewhere in your body- they secrete fatty acids which bacteria then feed upon causing odor when broken down (gross) . Ever wonder why sometimes you’ll see stains under only one armpit (careful how you phrase this) ? Yeah– these two types can lead to different patterns based on location!

Prescription Strength Products

You might’ve seen prescription strength deodorants at the store but be prepared for something stronger than even those products provide – physicians also prescribe topical creams like Drysol (yeah… really dry) that contain high levels of aluminum chloride; think triple strength compared to leading OTCs…… Specifically designed to control excessive sweating, these can be applied to your underarms or other sweaty areas before bed (sounds pleasant) . The active ingredient helps block sweat ducts and minimizes perspiration. However- sometimes this causes the skin around application sites a bit of irritation.

OTC Antiperspirants

If prescription strength is not for you there are stronger over-the-counter (OTC) products that have higher levels of aluminum-zirconium compounds which help physically prevent sweating by plugging up pores in your armpits and beyond. Regular antiperspirant sticks may contain between 15-25% concentration of an “active” ingredient. So-called clinical-strength ones might provide slightly more protection with their alleged 30% levels (catch them on clearance because ya girl/boy isn’t spending $10+ for one). Revlon seems to greet shoppers via packaging which emphasizes three + days protection from application, but we haven’t tested “40 Degree below Zero WinterFresh”. Who knows? That name alone might be enough……

Botox Injections

Yes – you read that right! While often associated with wrinkle reduction and medical treatments like migraines, doctors also offer Botox injections as a method for treating hyperhidrosis. Approved by the FDA (source?!), injecting small amounts of Botulinum toxin temporarily paralyzes sweat glands so they stop producing excess moisture.

A Word About Natural Alternatives

There’s no shortage of people pushing natural remedies online but take those claims with a strong dose of skepticism –bloodletting once considered effective sounds pretty bad now. There’s simply not sufficient peer-reviewed research supporting the effectiveness nor safety profiles for most suggested solutions. That said certain Vitamin-A derivative make-ups may help regulate abnormal cornification rate at follicle walls – helping reduce secondary bacterial reservoirs; (c.f non-comedogenic). Still, many folks DO swear off legitimate sources about changing their eating habits, marijuana consumption (hey man) , or even wheatgrass. But really it’s your personal decision to make!

Bottom Line – Deal with Your Sweat

If antiperspirants aren’t doing the trick, it may be time to explore other methods for managing excessive sweat. Prescription strength products and Botox injections are among the treatment options available for those who need something a little stronger- while non-RX OTCs pack some punch too (really pack that punch in LOL) . Keep in mind that everyone is different so don’t give up hope if one method doesn’t do the job, experimentation until you find what works best…. Like spritzing lemon juice under each arm before big events, like how we did before prom trying to smell unusual!

Random Posts