Deodorants are common hygiene products in bathrooms. They help to fight sweat and unpleasant odors. However, if you sweat excessively, it may be useful to use an antiperspirant. How does such a product work? Where can you buy it? When should you apply it? Focus.
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What Is an Antiperspirant?
Summary
- Sweating, a Normal Physiological Process
- What Is Excessive Sweating?
- Antiperspirant, the Solution to Excessive Sweating
Published February 29, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Sweating, a Normal Physiological Process
The normal internal temperature of our body is 37°C. Large temperature fluctuations (hypothermia and hyperthermia) lead to serious complications (convulsions, unconsciousness...). Maintaining a body temperature of 37°C is therefore crucial.
Nevertheless, body heat increases at times and for various reasons (physical activity, stress, weather conditions). The resulting sweating has three functions:
Thermoregulatory function: it ensures that body temperature remains at 37°C.
Excretion function: toxins and waste products are eliminated through sweat.
Moisturizing function: sweat is a component of the hydrolipid film, whose function is to maintain the moisture content of the skin and protect it from external influences.
What Is Excessive Sweating?
Sweat is thus vital for the body. However, it can happen that sweating is excessive and becomes uncomfortable. In this case, it is called excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. The amount of sweat is greater than the amount the body needs to regulate temperature. The signs of hyperhidrosis are related to the fact that certain parts of the body, such as the hands and feet, are constantly damp. Various causes can lead to this disorder: Stress, strong emotions, physical exertion, alcohol, menopause, anxiety, infectious diseases.....
Antiperspirant, the Solution to Excessive Sweating
Antiperspirants are not like traditional deodorants. They contain a chemical compound, aluminum chloride hexahydrate. This reacts with the water molecules in the sweat gland ducts and forms keratin plugs. The sweat glands that produce sweat then stop working for a few days. After this time, the keratin plugs are removed together with the dead cells and the sweat glands resume their normal activity.
In this way, antiperspirants interrupt the phenomenon of sweating for 2 to 5 days. The application must be repeated about 2 to 3 times a week, depending on the case. They are applied in the evening before going to bed and work overnight. Because then the sweating is not very intense and the antiperspirant can work better. In addition, the antiperspirant is always applied to dry and non-irritated skin. After shaving or hair removal, you should allow a period of 48 hours before applying this type of care.
Antiperspirants are best purchased at pharmacies or drugstores, although some are available online. They are over-the-counter, so you don't need a prescription to get one.
Note: To avoid interfering with the body's thermoregulation, sweat inhibitors should only affect 10% of the body's glands. It should be noted that the sweat glands in the armpits account for about 1% of the body's sweat glands.
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