Sweating is a good thing. It’s your body’s natural way of cooling off — its sweat glands release water to the surface of your skin when the temperature rises. It may also be a sign that we got a good workout in.
However, there are instances or conditions where we sweat more than intended, even when temperatures are cool or when we aren’t physically active. This may be hyperhidrosis. Currently, it is estimated that the prevalence of hyperhidrosis at 4.8% in the United States. [1]
What is hyperhidrosis?
If you think you suffer from excessive sweating, you could ask yourself these questions:
When you’re not physically exerting yourself
Do you often have sweat-soaked clothing?
Do you sweat even when you’re sitting in a cool environment?
Does sweating interfere with your everyday life?
Does your skin stay wet for long periods of time?
Do your family members suffer from the same issue as well?
If you find yourself nodding to these questions, these may be signs that you’re dealing with hyperhidrosis. A person with hyperhidrosis sweats more than what’s physically necessary. Excessive sweating can be caused by anything from low blood sugar to hormonal issues. There are two types of hyperhidrosis:
Primary hyperhidrosis — this is the most common cause of hyperhidrosis. Unfortunately, there is no underlying cause for this issue and could be hereditary, typically starting from childhood.
Secondary hyperhidrosis — this could be related to underlying health issues. For example, a type of medication may be a trigger, or other conditions like diabetes, thyroid issues, or menopause.
Hyperhidrosis generally does not pose any serious risk to your physical health, however, it can take a toll on your mental health, confidence and quality of life.
What can I do to keep my sweaty armpits in check?
There are some small tweaks and changes in your life habits that you could try doing to keep your sweaty underarms in check. These are:
Switch to an antiperspirant deodorant
Typical deodorants are usually designed only to mask the smell of our sweat. Antiperspirant deodorant, however, works in a way that creates little plugs in your sweat glands to stop it from perspiring. Pick up a clinical strength one to ensure the highest dosage of ingredients like aluminium zirconium. Try avoiding products that contain aluminium chloride, as when mixed with sweat, it can lead to underarm irritation.
Cut down on the caffeine
Your daily cup of joe may be contributing to your excessive sweating. Caffeine can affect the nerves around the blood vessels and activate sweating. [2]
Avoid baking soda
The internet often recommends applying baking soda as an easy and cheaper alternative, but this should be used with caution. Excessive usage can cause irritation, disrupt the skin barrier and cause burns under your arms.
Keep the area fresh
To prevent irritant contact dermatitis, a skin condition that can be caused by excessive sweat, it is important to keep your underarms clean as much as possible.
JetPro Needleless Underarm Treatment
If you’ve tried these methods and you can’t seem to get out of the house worry- and sweat-free, there may be some alternative solutions that could help you. Fortunately, we’re at the advent of technology where there are non-invasive and pain-free ways to manage excessive sweating, like the JetPro Needleless Underarm Treatment.
JetPro Technology
This effective treatment utilises JetPro’s jet propulsion technology to transdermally administer a nutrient-rich serum deep into the dermis. At high pressure, it doesn’t cause any skin breakage and the treatment is carried out comfortably and painlessly.
The Sweatless Serum
The Sweatless Serum is comprised of a combination of peptides and vegetal extracts that work together as a targeted solution for excessive sweating. The peptides, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Pentapeptide-18 complement each other in reducing acetylcholine release by up to 40% — the neurotransmitter responsible for activating sweat glands in your body. The other active ingredients help hydrate, repair and have vasoconstriction and anti-inflammatory properties.
For optimal results, 4-5 sessions are recommended.
Hopefully, this article has helped shed some light on how to manage sweaty underarms. Hyperhidrosis issues can definitely be a tricky issue to navigate, especially in Singapore’s hot and humid weather. If you have any questions, feel free to book an appointment and speak with our friendly therapists and for a skin consultation to assess your suitability.
Doolittle, J., Walker, P., Mills, T., & Thurston, J. (2016). Hyperhidrosis: an update on prevalence and severity in the United States. Archives of dermatological research, 308(10), 743–749. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-016-1697-9
