The use of an antiperspirant or sweat inhibitor serves to reduce “sweating” in certain areas of the body – usually in the armpit. It is intended to avoid visible sweat stains in the shirt and possibly associated unpleasant odors. The main active ingredients in antiperspirants are usually aluminum compounds with astringent effect on sweat glands, so that their opening narrows and accordingly “less sweat” can pass.
What are sweat inhibitors and antiperspirants?
The active ingredients in an antiperspirant aim to reduce perspiration and also have an antibacterial effect. Antiperspirants must be distinguished from deodorants (deodorants). The active ingredients in antiperspirants are aimed at locally reducing perspiration, while the active ingredients in deodorants are aimed at reducing odor formation and superimposing their own fragrances. Sweat secretion by eccrine sweat glands, which are distributed over the entire body surface, primarily serves to regulate body temperature. This sweat is colorless and odorless if it is not decomposed by skin bacteria, which can cause unpleasant odors. Particularly in emotionally striking situations or special stressful situations, the apocrine scent glands secrete “emotional sweat”. The apocrine glands are only located in certain body regions such as the armpits and genital area and can enrich the sweat with scents, resulting in a certain non-verbal signal effect. Anxious or angry sweat smells different from sweat during sexual arousal. The active ingredients in an antiperspirant aim to reduce perspiration and also have an antibacterial effect to prevent the odor-releasing decomposition of (normal sweat) by bacteria.
Medical application, effect and use
The astringent effect of an antiperspirant on the opening of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands is limited to local application, so it does not act systemically. The constriction or even blockage of the sweat gland openings is usually due to certain aluminum chlorides as the main active ingredient. Sweat secretion can be reduced by about 50% through the use of an antiperspirant, so that the dreaded sweat stains on the shirt usually do not occur. The astringent effect on the scent glands in the armpit can reduce the “sweating” associated with odors and signaling, but usually not completely avoid it. Sweating associated with “scents” is a problem for many young people during puberty because the apocrine sweat glands do not develop until puberty. Emotinonal exceptional situations, which occur more frequently and intensively during the pubertal development phase, can then lead to sweat secretion in the armpits loaded with a cocktail of signal substances and pheromones. In cases where pathologically increased perspiration (hyperhidrosis) occurs, the use of an antiperspirant is usually not sufficient. For the treatment of hyperhidrosis, in addition to a variety of alternative treatment methods, therapy forms such as iontophoresis (pulsating direct current), injections with botulinum toxin (Botox) up to surgical removal or destruction of the apocrine scent glands in the armpit by suction of the fatty tissue are available.
Herbal, natural, homeopathic and pharmaceutical sweat inhibitors.
In addition to the large number of commercially available antiperspirants – some of which are available at pharmacies – with aluminum chlorides as the main active ingredient for external use, agents without aluminum compounds are also available. Their active ingredients are mostly of plant origin. Garden sage (Salvia officinalis) has an effective antiperspirant effect. Sage extracts act systemically by ingestion and locally by direct external application. The antiperspirant effect of sage is probably due to its essential oils. The homeopathic remedy jaborandi for night sweats and hot flashes is based on active ingredients of the South American jaborandi (ruta herb). Again, the effect is based on the essential oils in the leaves of the plant. The remedy can be administered as globules, drops or drinking ampules. Other plants with antitranspirant effect are mouse clover, walnut leaves and oak bark.Acupuncture or acupressure can also be considered as an alternative treatment method. However, there are (as yet) no reliable findings on the likelihood of success of acupuncture or acupressure treatment for the therapy of hyperhidrosis. Since excessive sweat production is often based on psychological factors, it is obvious that anticholinergic agents and certain psychotropic drugs are also used. As an alternative to psychotropic drugs, psychological or psychotherapeutic treatment can be used to identify the psychological and emotional factors causing hyperhidrosis and to work through them with the patient. If successful, psychotherapy acts as a quasi antiperspirant.
Risks and side effects
Side effects associated with the use of conventional antiperspirants containing aluminum compounds consist mainly of possible skin reactions such as redness, itching or reversible blisters and other skin changes. It is therefore advisable to use products that do not contain alcohol from the outset. In the case of stronger intolerance, inflammation of the corresponding skin areas may also occur. Since 2012, a possible connection between the use of aluminum chlorides (antiperspirants) and increased breast cancer risk has been discussed, because aluminum chlorides are absorbed through the skin and cause changes in the estrogen receptors. At times, increased Alzheimer’s risk has also been linked to aluminum chlorides. The fact that the body absorbs far more aluminum through daily food than would be possible through the use of antiperspirants clearly argues against this.
