Men's Life Today: Expert Q+A
I dread the summer because I sweat so much. Is there anything I can do to sweat less?
The first step is to make sure you’re using an actual antiperspirant, not just a deodorant, which helps manage odor but does nothing to dry up sweat. If the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands tend to get sweaty, you can apply antiperspirant there as well as under your arms. (Just don’t stick your fingers in your mouth.) Buy antiperspirant that’s marked “clinical strength,” which generally contains more active ingredients than the regular stuff. Apply at bedtime to allow it to start working overnight. By the time morning rolls around, you’ll have full-strength protection.
Other than antiperspirant, seek out moisture-wicking fabrics for your undershirts. Brands like REI offer synthetic blends that help draw sweat away from your skin so moisture can evaporate faster. Also, avoid eating spicy foods and drinking hot beverages -- especially caffeinated ones, which raise your body temperature even more.
If none of these do the trick, see your dermatologist for more involved options. -- As told to Caroline Kinneberg