Especially for people prone to sweating, there are few things more important in a daily routine than applying antiperspirant. However, with all the different brands, strengths and claims out there, the process to find a perfect match can be a frustrating -- and damp -- endeavor.
Dermatologist Jessica Wu has had plenty of clients in this exact position, even after they spent extra money for clinical strength protection. Somehow, it still doesn't seem like enough. "They still soak through their clothes and stain their underarms," Wu says.
Instead of advising her clients to shell out even more money to try different antiperspirants that may or may not work, Wu suggests a far more economical approach.
"Use your blow-dryer to put on your antiperspirant," she says.
Sound a little strange? Let her explain...
"The biggest reason antiperspirant isn't working -- even the most expensive ones -- is that many of us are running around in the morning. We take a hot shower, we jump out of the shower, we barely towel off, and then we put on our antiperspirant," Wu says. "Well, guess what? The antiperspirant doesn't have enough time to do its job. It gets rinsed off of our skin as soon as we start sweating."
To minimize that sweat, you should consider moving much of your morning routine to the evening hours and incorporating your hair dryer into the mix.
"Wait until nighttime, take a cool or lukewarm shower, wait at least 15 or 20 minutes for your skin to dry," Wu says. "Then take a blow-dryer on the cool setting and blow-dry your underarms. Apply the antiperspirant, and blow dry again.
Blow-drying your underarms for 10 seconds before and 10 seconds after applying antiperspirant should do the trick, according to Wu, especially if you stick to this routine for a full week.
"Do this seven nights in a row," she instructs. "Your armpits will be drier than they've ever been."
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