Antiperspirants reduce sweating. Deodorants are perfumed to remove or mask odours. Sometimes the two are combined but if you are looking for a strong product for reducing sweating then it might not have any scent added to it. You can, of course, use a deodorant as well (applying at a different time), perfumed body spray, perfume or aftershave.
Antiperspirants are the first-line in managing sweating from most parts of the body. For those with primary hyperhidrosis it is usually expected that people have tried antiperspirant before other treatments are tried. Traditional aluminium-containing antiperspirants are generally insufficiently effective alone for those with primary hyperhidrosis. The exception is an aluminium-free antiperspirant, IXAL, developed specially for hyperhidrosis but ineffective for those with lesser or normal levels of sweating. Iontophoresis remains one of the most satisfactory treatments for the hands and feet for those people with primary hyperhidrosis.
Antiperspirants are the first-line in managing sweating from most parts of the body. For those with primary hyperhidrosis it is usually expected that people have tried antiperspirant before other treatments are tried. Traditional aluminium-containing antiperspirants are generally insufficiently effective alone for those with primary hyperhidrosis. The exception is an aluminium-free antiperspirant, IXAL, developed specially for hyperhidrosis but ineffective for those with lesser or normal levels of sweating. Iontophoresis remains one of the most satisfactory treatments for the hands and feet for those people with primary hyperhidrosis.
what is in antiperspirants?
Nearly all antiperspirants contain some form of aluminium compound. Aluminium chloride is one of the more commonly used especially in standard shop-bought antiperspirants. Other related compounds used are aluminium chloride hexahydrate and aluminium chlorohydrate. Some newer generation antiperspirants use aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine. In clinical strength antiperspirants concentrations of these compounds can be as high as 20%.
how do antiperspirants work?
The aluminium salts react with the sugars (known as mucopolysccharides) present in the sweat essentially forming a plug of the tube (duct) leading from the sweat gland to the skin. This blocks the sweat from reaching the skin surface.
Antiperspirants work best when applied at night-time before bed (which means you can apply a deodorant in the morning). During the night there is just enough sweat produced to react with the antiperspirant. If applied when sweating is profuse, the antiperspirant merely gets diluted. They should be applied daily for one to two weeks then once the effects have built up, they only need to be applied every few days to maintain the effect.
Antiperspirants work best when applied at night-time before bed (which means you can apply a deodorant in the morning). During the night there is just enough sweat produced to react with the antiperspirant. If applied when sweating is profuse, the antiperspirant merely gets diluted. They should be applied daily for one to two weeks then once the effects have built up, they only need to be applied every few days to maintain the effect.
side effects of antiperspirants
Itching and stinging are common after application. Ongoing irritation of the skin is also possible. The stronger the concentration of the aluminium salts the more likely this is especially in the more delicate skin areas of the face and underarms. Some of the pharmacy bought or prescribed antiperspirants are strong and suitable for the hands or feet but tend to be too strong for use on the face, underarms and some parts of the torso.
add recommended products (Sweathelp bestsellers)
add recommended products (Sweathelp bestsellers)
cancer risk
There has long been concern that the aluminium in antiperspirants could be linked to breast cancer, which had seemingly been started by an email rumour.
An article published by the American Cancer Society discusses the issue in detail and concludes that the claims are untrue. It cites a well conducted case-control study undertaken in the US that there was no evidence to link the use of aluminium containing antiperspirants with an increased risk of breast cancer. A case control study is the best method to look for risk factors. A group of 813 patients with the disease in question (the cases) was compared with a similar sized group of 793 people without the condition (the controls). Each group is then questioned in detail about their exposure to risk factors throughout their lifetime. In this study the odds ratio for developing breast cancer for those who had ever used antiperspirants was 0.9 meaning there was no association.
It should also be remembered that lipsticks, toothpaste and some pharmaceuticals (antacids and vaccines) contain aluminium compounds as do some food colourings and flame retardants of children’s toys. Since aluminium is poorly absorbed through the skin, the EU Scientific Committee on safety concluded that daily applications of cosmetic products (including antiperspirants) does not add significantly to the amount of aluminium entering the body from other sources most notably the diet.
An article published by the American Cancer Society discusses the issue in detail and concludes that the claims are untrue. It cites a well conducted case-control study undertaken in the US that there was no evidence to link the use of aluminium containing antiperspirants with an increased risk of breast cancer. A case control study is the best method to look for risk factors. A group of 813 patients with the disease in question (the cases) was compared with a similar sized group of 793 people without the condition (the controls). Each group is then questioned in detail about their exposure to risk factors throughout their lifetime. In this study the odds ratio for developing breast cancer for those who had ever used antiperspirants was 0.9 meaning there was no association.
It should also be remembered that lipsticks, toothpaste and some pharmaceuticals (antacids and vaccines) contain aluminium compounds as do some food colourings and flame retardants of children’s toys. Since aluminium is poorly absorbed through the skin, the EU Scientific Committee on safety concluded that daily applications of cosmetic products (including antiperspirants) does not add significantly to the amount of aluminium entering the body from other sources most notably the diet.
