Although underarm sweat may not be desirable under all circumstances, it is natural. Therefore, you've got nothing to worry about – with the right countermeasures in place, you can deal with smelly underarms and armpit sweat effectively. Bear in mind that not everyone sweats in the same way but that your body's sweat response can change over your life and under different circumstances. Want to get rid of sweaty armpits? Read our guide and find out how!
What Are the Causes of Underarm Sweat?
Underarm sweat occurs for numerous reasons. Let's take a look at the most common causes of sweaty armpits.
Climate & Weather
When it is hot, you are more likely to sweat. As you probably know, sweating is the body's natural cooling response so the hotter it is, the more sweat your armpits will produce.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle may impact the amount of sweat your armpits produce. If you are overweight, then it is more likely you'll sweat more from your armpits. Certain dietary intake – such as spicy foods – can also lead to more sweat. One good way to reduce underarm sweat is to adjust your diet with more water and less caffeine to help remain calmer and cooler.
Hormonal Imbalances
The presence of adrenaline and other hormones that cause feelings of anxiety or stress can lead to sweatier armpits. Changes to the body during menopause and puberty are known to alter normal sweat responses. The same thing goes for pregnancy so don't worry if your armpits feel different if you're expecting – this is perfectly normal. When some people are sexually aroused, this can also cause a hormonal change which, in some cases, leads to underarm sweat.
Medication Side Effects
People respond to medical treatments in different ways. Check the side effects of any medication you are on because it is often the case that sweating will be on the list. Once you've finished your treatment, your body will probably return to its usual state, so don't worry – it's nothing to sweat over!
Tips to Stop Armpit Sweat
How to stop underarm sweat and avoid underarm sweat rash is easy when you know how. You don't need to be a qualified dermatologist to follow any of these pearls of wisdom in dealing with underarm sweat.
Wear Breathable Clothes
To kick off, breathable clothes that allow your armpits to cool down naturally are ideal to prevent armpit sweat. Not only will you feel – and possibly look – cooler but you will also allow any hairs under your arms to grow naturally, thereby helping you to avoid ingrown armpit hair. Keep tight-fitting or non-breathable garments reserved for winter.
Shave Hairy Underarms
Trimming or shaving your armpit hair won't lessen the way your skin's sweat gland’s function but it can help reduce odour! Why? Because underarm hair can cause sweat to linger. As such, trapped underarm sweat may more easily lead to smelly underarms. Shaving your armpits is a great way of how to reduce underarm sweat!
Dry Your Body Properly After Shaving
Make sure you wash under your arms thoroughly with soap in the shower each day and pat them dry with a clean towel. After shaving, ensure all of the shaving gel and cut hairs are washed away and dry your armpits before applying an antiperspirant. Simply put, this is so the antiperspirant gets into contact with your skin and can work to its fullest effect.
Avoid Food That Causes Sweat
Some foods will make you sweat more. However, not everyone reacts to diet in the same way so figure out what works for you. For instance, you might find that the caffeine present in chocolate causes a response whereas the chilli heat in certain curries doesn't. Experiment so you know what to avoid and when!
Drink Water
Drinking more water will make you sweat it out is a common misconception. In fact, the reverse is true! By consuming more water, you'll cool your body down. In turn, this should lessen the intensity of underarm sweat – even when you're exercising!
Reduce Caffeine Consumption
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system which, in turn, increases sweating. Okay, no one is saying you have to stop enjoying your morning coffee, but you should consider dropping your overall intake. After all, caffeine is a contributing factor to higher blood pressure and increased heart rate, not just to the stimulation of your sweat glands. Try a decaffeinated coffee on a hot day or if you know you're going to have a stressful day at work!
How Does Shaving Your Armpits Reduce the Risk of Sweating?
Underarm hair can become a conductor of sweat which can moisten clothes due to the simple fact that your hair will be in direct contact with the material. If you remove your underarm hair – for example, with a Venus Coconut Comfortglide Razor, which is ideal for the job thanks to its pivoting razor blades - then any sweat you produce will be more likely to settle on your skin. As such, it won't become visible by touching your garments. When it is hot or you are feeling stressed, why not shave your armpits and notice the difference it can make? Although shaving alone won't necessarily stop you from sweating, it can prevent it from being as noticeable and that has to be a good thing, right?
FAQs
How can I stop sweating under my armpits?
Don't worry! Sweating is perfectly natural and the armpits are particularly prone to perspiration. That being said, underarm sweat can be embarrassing in certain situations so it's good to know you can deal with it. Medical armpit sweat treatments include excision of the sweat glands, laser treatments, liposuction and microwave thermolysis. Seek professional medical guidance if lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, shaving your armpits and changing your diet, aren't working out for you.
Does shaving armpits reduce sweat?
Shaving helps to prevent armpit sweat by enabling better contact between antiperspirants and your skin. Another bit of good news is that shaving can help to deal with smelly armpits. How? Because underarm odours will be less trapped by your body hair.
What foods reduce sweat?
Drinking water or consuming fruit and vegetables with water in them helps to reduce sweating because they tend to keep your body cooler and better hydrated. Eat things like apples, pineapple, oranges, cucumber, lettuce, spinach and peaches. Calcium-high foods, like yoghurt, are another good way of how to stop underarm sweat naturally. Try vitamin-B-rich foods like salmon, beef, eggs and leafy greens, too. They're not just tasty but good for you, as well!
Related Articles
