Today’s Best Options for Reducing Sweat

Everyone sweats from time to time. It’s the only way the body can cool itself down, which keeps you healthy and protects your vital organs. While it’s perfectly acceptable to sweat in the gym or while you’re out working in the yard, there are times when it isn’t ideal. Here are some of the options people use to help reduce the amount of sweat their bodies produce.

Note: Even with the options, below, we still highly recommend any of our sweat-wicking dress shirts. Our shirts won't stop you sweating, but they add additional protection. We recommend wearing our shirts in combination with the options, below:

Antiperspirants

The most common defense against sweat is antiperspirant. Antiperspirants may or may not contain a deodorant (they are two very different things), which is designed to help keep body odor caused by bacteria at bay. Most antiperspirants contain aluminum-based ingredients, which block the sweat ducts and prevent sweat from reaching the surface of the skin. Although they are safe for most people, those who have aluminum allergies should avoid them. Alternate formulations exist in these cases, too.

miraDry

An FDA-approved product called miraDry is another option for anyone who experiences excessive underarm sweating. It’s also a permanent solution; it uses microwave energy to permanently destroy the sweat glands just under your skin. This means that you will no longer need to use antiperspirants or other products to keep sweat and odor at bay. The downside? It’s noninvasive, but it is still a medical procedure and there is some mild discomfort associated with it. What’s more, many health insurance policies do not cover it.

Sweat Shields

Sweat shields aren’t a new option, but they aren’t the most popular, either. Oftentimes, they’re disposable cotton pads that stick to your underarms or to the underarm region of your clothing to absorb extra sweat without the need for antiperspirants. Sometimes, sweat shields are reusable and sewn directly into clothing such as athletic wear. In some cases, the shields snap in or make use of Velcro, which allows you to easily remove them for washing or even switch them out throughout the day.  

Botox

You might know of Botox as a facial injection that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, the FDA has also approved it as a treatment for hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. Keep in mind that the botulinum toxin found in Botox is a paralytic, which means it can not only relax facial muscles to release wrinkles, but it can also hinder the action of your sweat glands. It’s been proven highly effective, and unlike miraDry, some insurance companies will pay for this treatment if you have been clinically diagnosed with hyperhidrosis.

Deep Breathing and Meditation

Although this one may seem a little far-fetched, there is scientific evidence to suggest that deep breathing exercises and meditation can slow the rate at which your body produces perspiration. Specifically, you’ll want to sit down and breathe very slowly through your nose. This relaxes your nervous system, and when your nervous system is relaxed, your sweat glands aren’t as active.

As you can see, there are several options out there for dealing with and reducing sweat. Whether you choose a medical procedure, deep breathing, or even an antiperspirant, there’s something out there to suit every need and every lifestyle imaginable.