Perspiration, or sweat, is a physiological process allowing the body to control its temperature. Perspiration is produced by sweat glands. The surface of the skin houses 2 to 4 millions of those glands. Most of the sweat glands are located in the soles of the feet, in the palms of the hands, in the groin and in the underarms. Sweat glands produce approximately 1 L of sweat daily.

How to fight perspiration during summer

Perspiration and smell

The sweat produced by sweat glands is odorless. The bad smell of perspiration is actually caused by wastes from bacteria at the skin surface that feed on perspiration.

Hyperhidrosis

Certain individuals sweat a lot, which is a condition called hyperhidrosis. Excessive perspiration can occur in the soles of the feet, underarms or palms of the hands, which can cause issues.

Consequences

  • Risk of toenail and feet infection
  • Risk of contact eczema
  • Excessive hand perspiration can be an issue for people who shake hands on a daily basis
  • Excessive underarms perspiration causes bad odors and marks clothes with halos
  • Excessive feet perspiration causes bad odors as well as bacterial infections or mycosis.

What can be done ?

Hygiene guidelines

  • One shower every day removes bacteria causing bad odors.
  • Hair removal is important in the problematic areas as hair can trap moisture.
  • Clothes : cotton and linen are preferable.
  • Careful with spicy food, alcohol and coffee.

Deodorants

Deodorants mask bad odors, but they do not reduce the amount of perspiration.

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants do reduce the amount of sweat produced by sweat glands. They contain aluminum salts, which directly affect the size of sweat ducts. Antiperspirants are to be used every 2 or 3 days only. The product has to be applied at night on clean and dry skin (not after shaving or waxing).

Botox injections

Botox is not only used to alleviate wrinkles. Botox can be injected in the underarms or hands. Injections only take 15 to 30 minutes and are only slightly painful. Botox offers an immediate result : sweat glands produce less sweat. In 2 to 10 days, the amount of sweat is significantly reduced with a duration of effect of 4 to 6 months.