Antiperspirant – Reduce sweating with right antiperspirants
Sweating is a natural cooling mechanism of the body. When our body produces excess heat, the sweat glands present on our skin secretes sweat, which evaporates and cools our body. Sweating, especially underarm sweating is responsible for producing unpleasant body odor. To prevent body odor we apply deodorants in the armpit. While deodorant might manage to cover up the bad body odor, it could not reduce sweating. To lessen perspiration, we should use antiperspirant. Antiperspirant temporarily reduces sweat secretion.
How antiperspirant works
Antiperspirants contain certain active ingredients that reduce sweat production. The strongest antiperspirants contain compounds of aluminum. When you apply the antiperspirant, the cells on the surface of the skin absorb the active ingredient, such as aluminum, present in the antiperspirant. Along with the active ingredient, water flows into the cells. With rise in water content, the cells start swelling. The swollen skin cells exert pressure on the neighboring sweat ducts, making them narrow and obstructing sweat flow. However, this is a temporary condition. The water will eventually flow out of the cells after reaching a certain limit, and the shrunken sweat ducts will return to their normal condition.
Types of antiperspirants
You can get both over-the-counter as well as prescription antiperspirants. Over-the-counter antiperspirants contain not more than 25 percent active ingredient. You can reduce about 20 percent of sweat production by using a good quality antiperspirant. Usually antiperspirants are available in four forms – spray, roll on, cream and stick. Spray antiperspirants might not be as effective as the other forms of antiperspirants because significant amount of the antiperspirant would be lost in the air while spraying. However, unlike stick, roll on or cream antiperspirants, spray antiperspirants do not produce any residue that might stain your armpits and clothes. Some antiperspirants double as deodorants. While reducing sweating, they could effectively control body odor. Long lasting antiperspirants, also known as 24 hour antiperspirant contain excess active agent that keeps you free from underarm sweating for a long period.
Antiperspirants are unsuitable for people with sensitive or delicate underarm skin. If you experience skin irritation after applying an antiperspirant, you should avoid using the product. People prone to fragrance, dye and contact allergy, eczema and razor burn should avoid antiperspirants.
