Some easy-to-follow tips and tricks can help you stay fresh and sweat-free in hot summer days

“Oh to be sweat-free in the summer while making the most of the sunshine!” As tempting as it sounds, we all know that it’s nearly impossible to stay sweat-free when you are out in the sun on a long summer day. It doesn’t matter if you have beautiful makeup on, are wearing a new dress or styling your hair a bit differently, the mighty sun turns everyone into a “hot mess”!

As sweating and summer go hand in hand, they don’t have to sabotage your plans and keep you locked inside the house. Since we tend to indulge in various outdoor activities in summer, this makes our body feel overly hot and, sometimes, irritable. This is when your body increases sweating by dilating your blood vessels to regulate your body temperature. However, depending on your age and health condition, the sweat rate may differ from person to person.

However, there is nothing to worry about as we have some tips and tricks to keep you fresh and sweat-proof all summer long while you make the most of the sunshine. Check the list below:

1. Use underarm sweat pads

Underarm sweating can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, leaving visible marks on your clothes. This is when underarm sweat pads, or garment shields, can save the day. The sweat pads have two sides: an adhesive side to stick to the underarms of your shirt and an absorbent side to absorb underarm sweat. For better results, you can first use antiperspirant spray and talcum powder before using the garment shield to prevent odour and keep you fresh all day.

2. Use a strong antiperspirant

Antiperspirants reduce sweating by blocking the sweat ducts on the upper layer of your skin so that least amount of sweat is allowed to the surface. However, if a normal antiperspirant is not working for you, try upgrading to the clinical-strength varieties after consulting with your doctor.  Antiperspirants with higher levels of aluminium salts, such as aluminium chloride, are proven to help reduce sweat flow to a greater extent than regular antiperspirants.

3. When to apply an antiperspirant

It’s a common habit to apply deodorant right after you come out of the shower. However, you may not want to do that as it is simply useless to apply antiperspirant on moist skin as it won’t be effective anymore. Make sure you are completely dry and towelled off before you apply your favourite deodorant or roll-on.

Another trick is to apply antiperspirant under your arms before you hit the bed. Yes, that’s right! Studies show that your body is calm and cool at night and your antiperspirant can be absorbed at a greater amount to block the sweat glands. You can simply re-apply more in the morning and enjoy a sweat-free day ahead!

4. Amend your eating habits

While you can apply all you want from the outside, it won’t be worth it if you are not taking care of your body from the inside. Certain eating habits can directly influence your sweat rate.

• Say no to spicy foods

While summer is the season to host big fat dinners, you have to keep a distance from the spicy cuisine if you don’t want sweat beads rolling down your face in the middle of the party. Capsaicin is a chemical found in chilies and, when you consume it, your body sends a signal of overheating to the brain. As a result, you start sweating to cool down and, if the reaction is extreme, it also leads to watery eyes and a runny rose.

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• Cut down on caffeine

You may have observed that the more you drink coffee, the more you sweat! And it’s not just about coffee, everything that contains caffeine will create a similar response in your body as it stimulates acetylcholine, the neurotransmitters in the brain that activate the sweat glands. As a result, caffeine intake leads to a heightened response by the body to regulate your internal temperature.

• Reduce your dairy intake
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The metabolic rate is already higher during the summer, and you may not want to further stress your body with complex food. As milk and milk-based products contain some of the slowest digesting proteins, your digestive system works harder to break them apart, which further increases sweating.

5. Wear breathable fabrics

The key to staying fresh and dry all day is wearing the right clothes that won’t trap heat and moisture. Preferably, lawn, lightweight cotton, and linen are the right choices for summer. Other than choosing the suitable fabric, your clothes should not be skin-tight and should have breathable space. Shirts with large, roomy underarm holes are also a great option to make sweating less obvious. And of course, the airflow will also keep you cool and fresh all the time.

6. Relax and meditate

Summer is a great time to relax and by doing so, you can also train your body to stay sweat-free in the future. Modern-day life comes with all sorts of chaos for the mind and body, however, worrying about these problems will only make your sweating worse. Take some time out of your busy day and try some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, to reduce your anxiety which stimulates neurotransmitters that activate sweat glands.

You can follow these sweat hacks to keep yourself fresh, energetic, and carefree all summer long. While sweating is a normal phenomenon which regulates your body temperature, these hacks will save you from embarrassment when you have an important meeting or gathering with your loved ones. -Ends