Tamara HinsonHow to avoid sweat patches
So, Colonel Gaddafi’s been killed and the Dean of St Paul’s has resigned. Despite this, the fact that Kelly Osbourne was caught sporting sweat patches during a recent red carpet appearance made the headlines of several national newspapers. Admittedly, although not necessarily a life-threatening problem, there’s no denying sweat patches can ruin a girl’s night out, and with party season just around the corner, there’s no better time to find a solution.
The science of sweat
Kelly O blamed her sweat patches on the heat lamps lining the red carpet – something the majority of us can’t use as an excuse if we’re ever unlucky enough to be caught with damp underarms.
While we all produce a certain amount of sweat, in extreme cases, excessive sweat production can indicate a case of hyperhidrosis - severe or excessive sweating - which is caused by the body’s sweat glands producing more sweat than we actually need. More often than not though, the odd sweat patch is simply a sign that we’re normal.
If you’re concerned about sweating, your choice of soap or shower gel could well make a difference by over stimulating the sweat glands. Opt for an anti-bacterial shower product to reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin, and after showering, avoid over use of moisturisers, and dry yourself thoroughly – a warm damp armpit is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
[See also: Tips to exfoliate your skin]
When it comes to antiperspirants, there are certain ingredients, such as aluminium, which can help, although the use of aluminium in such products is somewhat controversial. While it’s less common in standard deodorants, it’s an ingredient that’s found in many aerosol antiperspirants – often being listed as aluminium chlorohydrate - due to its ability to shrink and temporarily block pores.
“Some antiperspirants have higher percentages of aluminium than standard deodorants,” admits leading Beverly Hills dermatologist Stuart H. Kaplan. “Products with higher levels can irritate the underarm skin, and If not allowed to dry completely, can also bleach or stain dark coloured clothing, especially in the underarm area.”
To complicate things, although the active ingredients within antiperspirants have to be listed, the quantities don’t, so while it’s easy to find out if the product in question contains an ingredient that could potentially irritate your skin, it’s harder to find out exactly how much of that ingredient your antiperspirant contains.
Sweat stoppers
The good news is that there are plenty of products which can control sweat without the use of harsh chemicals. Generally, sticks and roll-ons contain less chemicals than aerosols, but it’s also worth avoiding combined deodorant/antiperspirants.
Deodorants work by simply masking odour, so if the product is also described as a deodorant, you can rest assured it contains a whole heap of odour-masking chemicals which will only weaken the product’s antiperspirant qualities.
Mitchum is a brand that’s been around for ages, and whilst that ugly, green bottle was once a screaming advertisement for your sweat-related problems, the brand has recently launched their new Advanced Control range, which comprises an aerosol, roll-on and stick (from £2.89, Boots) all of which are clinically proven to protect against dampness for up to 48 hours.
Even more impressive is the fact that despite their effectiveness, the products are all alcohol-free and dermatologist approved, making them ideal for those prone to sensitive skin.
As with any body-related problem, there are many solutions on offer, some of which carry more risks than others. If damp patches are your main concern, sweat guards might just be worth checking out.
Widely available, sweat guards comprise absorbent patches that can be sewn or pinned into clothing. Perhaps slightly worryingly, more and more people are turning to Botox as a potential sweat solution, something that should only ideally be used in cases of hyperhidrosis.
Just as Botox can be used to paralyse facial muscles, it can also be used to control sweat production by blocking the nerve impulses which produce sweat. The results last around six months, with the Botox being injected into several areas around the armpit.
However, the treatment is still painful and each session will set you back hundreds of pounds.
Our advice? Wave your arms in the air like you just don’t care – and avoid needles at all cost!
