Sweating

– Men’s Grooming Guide

When it comes to sweating, it is important to understand that it is completely healthy for your body. It not only removes toxins and helps retain the required level of salinity, but it also assists in maintaining the desired body temperature. Almost 5 million sweat glands are placed all across the human body and there are usually two types of sweat glands that do most of the work – Apocrine glands (found in the armpits) and Eccrine glands (spread all over the body). Though sweating does help your body, excessive perspiration can be embarrassing. Understanding the possible causes is the first step to prevent excess sweating.

Some of the possible reasons for perspiring excessively include:

Exercise: Physical exercise heats up the body and sweat secretion happens to cool down the excess body temperature.
Emotions: Strong emotions such as anger, stress, and excitement activate the sweat glands in a human body, thereby leading to excess perspiration.
Nervousness: Similar to emotions, nervousness also creates a sudden rush of hormones, and makes the body sweat profusely.
Hyperhidrosis: It is a condition that affects almost 1-3% of the total human population. This condition involves excess sweating in the palms, feet, underarms, and groin.

Ways to Prevent Excessive Sweating

1. Apply Antiperspirant (deodorant): When it comes to curbing sweat problems, antiperspirants can help immensely. However, if the problem of extreme sweating persists, try applying an antiperspirant at night before going to bed mainly because the active ingredient –aluminium chloride - takes time to block the sweat glands. Also, make sure that your underarm is clean. It is recommended that you always take a shower before applying an antiperspirant for better results. 
   
   Following these tactics will not only prevent too much sweating, but it will also lower the odour that emanates from undue perspiration.
2. Dress Right: If the sweat glands in your body work like a dripping faucet, you can choose to take control over the secretion issues by dressing right. The texture of fabrics aside, the colour of the fabrics also plays an equally important role in fighting the sweating problems. Blue, bright colours, and gray are the worst options for hiding sweat. It is advisable to wear breathable fabrics and stick to colours such as black and navy for hiding sweat stains.
   To avoid embarrassment in public and prevent ruining expensive clothes, armpit pads make for an excellent option as far as sweat protection is concerned.
3. Use Antiperspirant Wipes: If you suffer from the problem of profuse sweating, don’t fret. The advanced antiperspirant wipes work effectually on people who sweat profusely but are always on the go and have limited time to follow the detailed steps for sweat protection!
   
   Antiperspirant wipes can ideally be used by travellers, golfers, and people who wear uniforms. Infused with the same powerful formula as an antiperspirant, these wipes can be tucked in your pocket and used anywhere on your body.

Apart from following the above-stated tips, also watch out on what you eat and avoid sweat triggers. Spicy foods often lead to uncontrolled perspiration; so, going for mildly flavoured diet is always a preferable option.

If following all the above steps still doesn’t work, consult a physician.