Underarm sweating can be bothersome and unsightly, but knowing how to control the situation will keep you dry and feel safe. Deodorants only mask the smell, so if you absolutely intend to intervene on the whole mechanism, you need to take drastic measures to keep the functioning of the sweat glands at bay. Learn how to use topical antiperspirants correctly, and also learn about lifestyle changes that can have a direct effect on underarm sweating. If the situation is serious, you can also try medical solutions.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Topical Antiperspirants
Step 1. Make a specific diagnosis of the problem
Before you go out and buy the same old deodorant at the grocery store, you need to determine the exact problem you are suffering from in order to buy the right product. For some, the biggest discomfort caused by underarm sweating is the resulting odor, while for others it is the unsightly sweat stains and subsequent embarrassment.
- If you have problems with both, you need to use an approach that allows you to deal with the two disorders individually. Applying deodorant does not prevent underarm sweating, but masks the smell.
- It is impossible to stop the body from sweating completely without going through a drastic medical procedure, but remember that it can generally only be done in the most severe cases. If the body stopped secreting salts and toxins through the skin, you would die.
Step 2. Buy an appropriate product for your ailment
Depending on your problem, you may need a classic deodorant, an antiperspirant or a hybrid. Alternatively, you may need to see your doctor to get a prescription for more effective antiperspirants available at the pharmacy.
- If you have a problem with body odors, you must use a deodorant based on delicate and natural ingredients that camouflage them. Also, you need to have good hygiene habits to remedy the problem. In the personal hygiene section of wikiHow, you will find many articles to learn more.
- If you have a problem with stainsMost commercially available antiperspirants based on aluminum chloride hexahydrate are effective in controlling the amount of sweat secreted by the armpits.
Step 3. Try making natural deodorant treatments yourself.
Recent studies have identified a correlation between aluminum-based antiperspirant products and breast cancer, but also other health ailments. While there is a lot of discussion about this relationship, it is understandable that many feel safer using natural body care products. There are completely eco-organic deodorants on the market, but you can also make your own to keep underarm sweat in check.
- Mix equal parts of baking soda and water to create a thick solution that will help control sweat, then leave it on for 20-30 minutes. After waiting, rinse the mix with water.
- Try using apple or malt cider vinegar to neutralize the bacteria that cause natural armpit odor. This, in fact, has an astringent effect on the armpits, which leads them to sweat less and stay dry.
- Try a lemon juice and tomato pulp solution before bed. Leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Make a thick solution of chopped walnut and eucalyptus leaves.
- Some think that sage tea helps cool the body by preventing excessive sweating.
Step 4. Apply the products correctly
In general, if you struggle with underarm sweating, you should apply an antiperspirant or deodorant to clean skin before going to bed, when you get ready in the morning, and immediately after washing. Always wash your arms thoroughly with clean, soapy water, pat dry, then apply a thin layer of deodorant or antiperspirant to dry armpits.
- Someone applies deodorant only before going out or getting dressed. If your armpits have already begun to sweat, there is nothing you can do to control the odor or stains. First of all, you must always keep them clean.
- If you have noticed that you have already begun to sweat, do not apply products to the sweat, as this will do nothing to control the bad odor. Instead, you have to wash your armpits using soap and water, try to cool your body temperature, and then apply a fresh product to the affected area.
Method 2 of 3: Reduce the Tendency to Sweat
Step 1. Shower more regularly
Controlling underarm sweating requires more than a few products and remedies. Keeping the body clean and dry is absolutely essential to keep underarm sweating at bay throughout the day. If it's a constant struggle, it's a good idea to shower, or at least wash your armpits, once a day (maximum two) to keep things under control.
In the summer, if you live in a humid climate, try waiting a few minutes before getting dressed after taking a shower, especially if it is hot. This is important if you have problems with underarm sweat. Let your skin dry completely and your body cool down before getting dressed, otherwise you may start sweating immediately
Step 2. Wash the shirts after each use
It is absolutely important to thoroughly wash your clothes after wearing them, especially when it comes to t-shirts and shirts. Remember that the odor emitted from the armpits is not really caused by sweat, it is caused by the bacteria that remain once it dries; the unpleasant smell is due to this.
- If you don't wash sweat-stained clothes, the bacteria that build up and stay on the fabric build up over time, making the odor worse. It is very important to change clothes regularly and keep them clean.
- If you actually sweat a lot, change your shirt more often, even if you're in the middle of the day. If you know you might sweat at work, put an ironed shirt in your bag so you can change as needed.
Step 3. Put on your undershirts
Clean white t-shirts are very useful for absorbing sweat, thus preventing it from soaking the outermost layer of the clothes you wear. If you're wearing a thick sweater, try to layer your clothing so that sweat doesn't reach the top layer so easily.
As with other shirts, it is important to wash them regularly so that they are always fresh and clean to avoid unpleasant odors
Step 4. Shave your armpits
If you have a severe sweating problem, sometimes it is true that shaving your armpits can help, at least in part. Of course, removing hair from this area will certainly not cool it down or decrease sweating, but it prevents sweat from collecting, making the spots more pronounced and the smell more acrid.
It is important to know that body hair, including underarm and face hair, actually allows the body to cool off in very hot weather; in fact, they collect the sweat you secrete, which cools as it evaporates. Shaving the body could decrease the presence of sweat on the skin, but also make the body breathe slightly more
Step 5. Change power supply
According to recent studies, strong smelling foods and some food families negatively affect the smell of sweat. If you already tend to sweat a lot, it is important to pay attention to those foods that could make the situation worse.
- Onions, garlic, and other foods belonging to the allium family cause a pungent, acrid sweat once it dries. Some spices, such as asafoetida, cumin, and curry powder, have an equally direct effect on the armpits, and the same goes for cruciferous vegetables like kale or broccoli.
- Diets high in red meat, dairy, or alcohol produce a distinct-smelling sweat, which many get used to over time.
- Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, stimulates the nerve receptors in the mouth in the same way that heat does, so the body is tricked into thinking you are hot. The hypothalamus will send a signal to cause sweating.
Step 6. Exercise to lower your body mass index (BMI)
The greater the body mass, the more the body will sweat to keep itself cool. If the fight against underarm sweat is constant, you can remedy this problem by incorporating cardiovascular exercise into your routine and losing weight. Eliminate all sweat with sport.
- The fastest and most effective way to lose weight is to increase physical activity and decrease the number of daily calories consumed to find stability. Try incorporating lean proteins, such as legumes, chicken, and eggs, to replace fried foods, dairy, and red meat. Also, increase your consumption of whole grains and vegetables.
- Stay well hydrated throughout the day and try to start exercising gradually. Start with long walks in the morning and evening, then take a shower to remove sweat from your body and cool it down.
Method 3 of 3: Using Medical Treatments
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about the treatments you may be undergoing
In this case, the clinical expression used to refer to excessive sweating is axillary hyperhidrosis, and there is a variety of treatments available. Just ask your doctor. He will probably recommend specific aluminum-based topical treatments at first, but other more effective treatments are also available if the situation is serious.
- In some cases, an oral anticholinergic is recommended: it helps to stop sweating, particularly in the armpits.
- Ask your doctor about onabotulinumtoxin A injections. This treatment involves the implementation of a minimally invasive method, presumably effective, and offers an average efficacy rate of six to eight months.
Step 2. Consider the treatment called iontophoresis
This type of electrotherapy usually requires two to four 20-minute sessions per week. Water is used to conduct a small electrical discharge to the skin, which can help reduce sweating for several weeks to months. The treatment does not always give good results and it is not the best of comfort; moreover, it is only effective in some cases.
Step 3. As a last resort, consider a surgical operation called a thoracic sympathectomy
This surgery requires the use of a small endoscope; it is inserted in the armpit to disrupt the function of the sympathetic nerves that cause sweating. It is an effective, but risky treatment, with side effects that include respiratory complications, nerve damage, and / or excessive sweating of other parts of the body.
Step 4. Consider botox as a long-term solution
In theory, botox injections can be used, and has been done, to control underarm sweating for up to six months; among some people who underwent the surgery, however, success was limited. You should only consider this option if you have a severe underarm sweating problem, as treatment costs start at around € 600 and the procedure can be very painful.
No chemical link has been proven between botox and sweating, and the medical community generally does not recommend using it as a treatment for the problem. However, someone does
Advice
- Let the deodorant dry completely before getting dressed.
- Using talcum powder immediately after washing can alleviate the problem.
- Applying deodorant before bed may help.
- Wearing cotton clothing naturally minimizes sweating.
- If you haven't already tried shaving your armpits, do it - it might help.
- Apply deodorant regularly and when you need it.
