Atlanta is no stranger to sweat. A recent survey by Honeywell Fans ranked us as the 7th sweatiest city in the US, and between our heat and humidity, that shouldn’t be a surprise. Still, it doesn’t make it any more enjoyable when you’re trying to hide your underarms or when you have to throw out a new shirt after a few wears because of sweat stains. Unnecessary sweating is a common problem, and it’s a treatable one as well, but there are a lot of misconceptions that get in the way. Our board-certified dermatologists and dermatological physician assistants at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta are here to set the record straight.

Myth: Excessive Sweat is a Sign of Poor Hygiene

Sometimes people perceive sweat as dirty, especially because it’s associated with body odor. In reality, though, sweating has nothing to do with your hygiene. In fact, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, around 367 million people around the globe sweat more than average. It simply means your body’s sweat glands are overactive, and it isn’t something you can prevent by showering multiple times per day.

Myth: You’ll Sweat Less as You Get Older

If you sweat too much for comfort, don’t assume you’ll outgrow it or age out of it. Many people first start to notice excessive sweating during puberty, so they assume that it will get better in their 20s and 30s. However, this isn’t always the case, and you could spend years waiting disappointedly. Instead, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to discuss your treatment options.

Myth: It’s Dangerous to Prevent Your Underarms from Sweating

While it’s true that your body needs to be able to sweat, your underarms contain a small percentage of your body’s sweat glands. While your underarms are the most noticeable areas for sweat, reducing these sweat glands won’t affect your body’s ability to cool itself. That’s why most treatments like miraDry® sweat reduction are focused on isolating and deactivating the sweat glands in your underarms: reducing the cosmetic problem without affecting your health.

Myth: There’s No Way to Reduce Sweat Long-Term

Many people are under the assumption that there are only temporary solutions for sweat, like antiperspirant and Botox® injections. Thanks to modern technology, that’s no longer the case. miraDry® sweat reduction uses targeted warmth to strategically dissolve your sweat glands in your underarms. Most patients enjoy lifelong results after just one or two sessions.

Myth: If You Sweat Too Much, You Need to Lose Weight

Excessive sweating affects people of all sizes and body types. While it does tend to be more common in people with more body mass because their body needs to work harder to stay cool, excessive sweat itself isn’t a sign of a weight problem. If you’re a healthy weight and sweat is your only health concern, it’s better to treat that specific issue directly.

Even for people who don’t sweat excessively, underarm sweat can lead to social embarrassment, unpleasant odor, and stains on your clothing. Fortunately, there are both short-term and long-term options. If you want to minimize your underarm sweat for good, schedule an appointment with our providers. For more skin care tips and to keep up with our special offers and events, follow Dermatology Associates of Atlanta on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Google+.