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How Many of These 6 Myths About Sweat Did You Fall For?

by | Aug 3, 2016

iontophoresis machinesEverybody sweats, and in the summertime, we sweat a lot. That’s because the average person has two to four million sweat glands acting as their body’s coolant system to prevent it from overheating. Despite this, the general public knows surprisingly little about sweat. Perhaps because we use deodorants in a daily struggle to win the battle against sweat.

Below you will find six commonly believed myths about sweat. Prepare to learn the truth.

  1. Sweat smells bad.
    Actually, sweat itself is odorless. What you are smelling is the bacteria that can be found all over our bodies. These bacteria are essential to breaking down the proteins and lipids that exist in the moisture from the apocrine glands.
  2. You sweat out toxins.
    When you sweat, all you are excreting is water, salt, protein, and nontoxic urea. Toxins are actually broken down by the liver and excreted through urine.
  3. You can lose weight by sweating.
    Sorry, readers, but it’s not that easy. While wrestlers have long used this trick to “make weight” before a match, it’s exactly that: a trick. You can’t sweat off weight. You may be sweating off water weight temporarily as your body dehydrates, but it’s not much and you will gain it back as soon as you drink a glass of water.
  4. Deodorant is dangerous.
    You may have heard a rumor that aluminum in antiperspirants can cause cancer. However, dermatologists have conducted studies showing that there is no evidence to back up that claim. If you are sweating, don’t be afraid to rub on some deodorant; after all, the bacteria in your armpits are making you stink.
  5. Sweating causes you to break out.
    Sweat does not cause acne. Acne occurs when your glands become clogged with oil.
  6. Sweat leaves yellow stains.
    You may find yellow stains in the damp pits of your white t-shirt, but it is not the sweat giving them their color. Sweat is actually clear. The yellow hue comes from the bacteria, fats, and oils in the skin.

Sweating is totally normal. Sweating too much, however, can be a problem. There are eight million people in the United States struggling with hyperhidrosis. This condition causes them to sweat four to five times as much as the average individual, which can cause embarrassing problems throughout the day and night. Hyperhidrosis affects men and women equally and is most common among people aged 25 to 64 years.

Fortunately, treating hyperhidrosis is relatively simple. Iontophoresis machines were introduced over 50 years ago to treat excessive sweating, and since their invention, iontophoresis treatment has helped patients across the country control their excessive sweating.

If you have any questions about sweat, hyperhidrosis, or iontophoresis machines, feel free to contact Hidrex USA for more information.

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