Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants inhibit excessive sweating by reducing body perspiration. They are the least invasive and affordable treatment to strong sweating. Doctors recommend that you first try antiperspirants before considering other invasive therapies. They can be applied to underarms, feet, hands, and sometimes face. They are applied top of the skin hence also called topical treatments.

How do they work?

Once antiperspirants are applied to the affected area, perspiration in the applied area grabs and dissolves the compound particles. They then pull then into the pores to form sturdy plugs just below the skin surface. And because our bodies are controlled by messages, the body feels that the sweat duct is plugged and sends feedback to stop sweat flow. The plug can stay active for around 24 hours before it washed away.

Antiperspirants are readily available over the counter, and in some instances, they are prescribed by a health care provider. Products sold over the counter also have clinical strength to combat excessive sweating. However, these products are a bit expensive. Products with clinical strength reduce excessive sweating compared to traditionally developed products.

Active and robust antiperspirants are made of metallic salts. Clinically developed products contain a higher concentration of these salts. The most active antiperspirants contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate. Having said that, these products should be used precisely as instructed to avoid skin irritation. The concentration of aluminum chloride hexahydrate in products varies with the body part to be applied. For example, a concentration of 10% to 15% is recommended for underarms anti strong sweating products, and a concentration of around 30% for hands and feet products.

Generally, physicians with vast knowledge in the industry prefer a systematic approach to fighting hyperhidrosis with antiperspirants. You should start with a gentle product to gauge whether it has any side effect in your body, if the excessive sweating inhibiting product works smoothly, you can go on to clinically development products.

What is hyperhidrosis?

This is a condition whereby the body cooling mechanism is over-reactive. It is so over-reactive that you may sweat four to five times than normal. Strong sweating can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, dangerous, anxiety-inducing, and at the same time, disabling. It causes an unpleasant smell that may lead you to prefer isolation. It disrupts all aspects of life, ranging from recreational activities, career choice, self-confidence, and emotional well-being. Strong sweating is a weighty medical condition that can’t be overlooked. Hyperhidrosis is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. However, due to lack of awareness among the affected, most people believe strong sweating is normal and are never relieved of their symptoms.

At sweat stop, we are dedicated to creating more awareness of this debilitating condition and to relief sufferers. If you are a sufferer of strong sweating, you should know that antiperspirants are a potent treatment to this condition.

Are you using antiperspirants in the right way?

Excessive sweating is no joke. Stained clothes and unpleasant smell appeal to no man. Many people tend to use deodorants in an attempt to combat excessive sweating. Nevertheless, deodorants only eradicate the odour and not treating the source. Many people have heard about antiperspirants, but unfortunately, they are not using them in the right way. A large number of people make mistakes when applying antiperspirants.

Many people make these mistakes since they don’t understand the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant. It is prudent to know that deodorants are designed to mask smell whilst antiperspirants are designed to prevent excessive sweating. Surprising fresh sweat is odourless. The unpleasant smell is produced when the sweat is broken down by bacteria on the skin.

Any sufferer of body odour should use a pH-balanced soap. A pH-balanced soap washes out perfumed products that can alter skin pH, making it a better environment for bacteria to thrive.

Applying antiperspirants in the evening

Naturally, we want to remain fresh the whole day. That’s why we tend to apply antiperspirant in the morning. However, we do it in the wrong way. Antiperspirants should instead be applied in the evening to leave them on the skin overnight. This will lead to a long-lasting effect in fighting strong sweating. The following morning you should wash your armpits thoroughly with soap and water.

Cancer myth

A recent scientific study reviewed that there is no sufficient evidence to link the use of antiperspirant to the risk of getting breast cancer. TH e study that involved 1606 women did not show any increased risk of cancer amongst antiperspirant users.

There is sufficient information to show that use of antiperspirants does not in any way increase the risk of developing cancer. Antiperspirants work by blocking sweat glands with aluminium salts to inhibit strong sweating. They do not, in any way, interfere with lymph nodes. Lymph nodes do excrete toxins, but not through sweating. In addition, most carcinogens are excreted through kidneys or the liver. It is also evident that breast cancer develops in the breast and later spreads to the lymph nodes, not the opposite.

Reputable medical organizations suggest that the link of antiperspirants to breast cancer is unconfirmed; thus, it’s just a myth. The skin absorbs a little percentage of aluminium particles in antiperspirants. Nevertheless, the absorbed particles are stored harmlessly in bone and later excreted.

The study also confirmed the link between antiperspirant and Alzheimer’s disease is a myth.

Furthermore, humans are exposed to aluminium in many ways, such as pans, water, packaging, medicines, air, and food, to mention a few.

How to Choose an Antiperspirant for A Sensitive Skin?

Some skins reactive when they came into contact with foreign materials such as soaps, jewelry, and laundry detergents. If you have such skin, you know the essence of pampering it. Underarms are more sensitive since they are made of thin, delicate skin. Also, the underarm area is warm and moist; thus, it is a breeding ground for bacteria. When you want to combat strong sweating, look for a non-irritating product. However, it is not possible to avoid some compounds, especially if you want to inhibit excessive sweating.

Alcohol: Most strong sweating inhibiting products contain alcohol as an ingredient. Alcohol is used because it dries quickly and leaves a fresh feeling on the skin. However, it is prudent to know that alcohol dries up the skin hence causing irritation. Alcohol is mainly used in aerosols, roll-ons, and antiperspirants; therefore, people who have sensitive skin may opt for alcohol-free products.

Aluminum: Almost all strong sweating inhibiting products contain aluminum compounds. This compound is widely used since its temporary stops strong sweating by plugging sweat ducts. However, this compound can cause skin irritation in some people. To be on the safe side, opt for aluminum-free products. In addition, you should always check on the ingredient section to choose a product with a gentle form of aluminum. Sensitive skin may be more tolerant of a gentle form of aluminum.

Fragrance: All skin products are designed to deliver a freshness feeling. The body fragrance that causes this feeling can lead to skin sensitivities and skin rashes. Therefore, it is prudent to avoid products that have a combination of antiperspirant and deodorant products. Products with such a combination contain a body masking fragrance, which is a leading cause of skin irritation.

Should Be Afraid of Using Antiperspirant?

Way back when chain emails were popular, a day could hardly pass without receiving scary messages. One of those messages was condemning use of anti- strong sweating products. There was misinformation hovering all over excessive sweating inhibiting products were a leading cause of breast cancer. The email claimed that by preventing strong sweating, the body is unable to expel toxic substances. It said that the accumulated toxins find refuge nearby the lymph nodes. The email linked use if anti strong sweating products with cancer claiming that cancer occurs in the upper quadrant of the breast.

Up to date, fearmongering misinformation surrounding use of anti- excessive sweating products still exist. The rumours is all over the internet, claiming that strong sweating inhibiting products can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

First and foremost, it is prudent to know that this misinformation originates from people who have little knowledge of the medical industry. These products temporarily stop strong sweating without affecting other body organs. They only prevent strong sweating by reducing sweat by 20 to 30 percent. Therefore, it is false to say that these products prevent the body from excreting toxins through sweating. According to experts, the proximity of the underarm to the breast area where cancer arises is coincidental. Experienced doctors know that lymph nodes operate separately from sweat ducts. Further, lymph nodes don’t excrete toxins through strong sweating. The liver and kidneys cleanse them.

Anything that links strong sweating inhibiting products to cancer is a pure myth. Cancer can only be attributed to a hereditary predisposition. However, genetic disposition only accounts for a small portion of breast cancer cases. Cause of most cancers cases is still unknown. Nevertheless, if you do have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, it is prudent to go for screening from time to time. Therefore women should use anti sweating products without any concern over breast cancer.