Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants (pronunciation: /ˌæntɪpəˈspɪrənt/) are personal hygiene products designed to control sweating and body odor. They are typically applied to the underarms, and can come in many forms such as sprays, sticks, and roll-ons.

Etymology

The term "antiperspirant" is derived from the Latin anti meaning 'against' and perspirare meaning 'to sweat'.

Function

Antiperspirants work by blocking the sweat ducts, thereby reducing the amount of sweat that reaches the skin's surface. They often contain aluminum compounds which react with the electrolytes in sweat to form a gel plug in the duct of the sweat gland. This plug prevents sweat from reaching the skin's surface.

Health Concerns

There have been some health concerns associated with the use of antiperspirants, particularly those containing aluminum. Some studies suggest a potential link between aluminum in antiperspirants and breast cancer, but the evidence is not conclusive. The American Cancer Society states that there is no clear link between breast cancer and antiperspirant use.

Related Terms

Deodorant: Unlike antiperspirants, deodorants do not prevent sweating. Instead, they work by killing the bacteria that cause body odor.
Hyperhidrosis: This is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating. Antiperspirants are often used as a treatment for hyperhidrosis.
Aluminum chloride: This is a common active ingredient in antiperspirants. It works by plugging the sweat ducts.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Antiperspirants
Wikipedia's article - Antiperspirants

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Antiperspirants