I hate summertime dark patches under each armpit. For me it is one of the biggest reasons to be self-conscious there is. Anything that could be more self-consciousness inducing I have control over (i.e. I can avoid it, like being male and wearing a french maid outfit in public) but underarm dark patches are sometimes unavoidable.
They are a self-enforcing entity. Their presence increases nervousness thus increasing their presence.
You might be thinking “Wear more layers” But this is not viable since on these particular days wearing more layers might create the even worse condition of smelling bad.
I shower literally every day. I am a clean freak. Have been for years. But I am also not in the best of shape. I am prone to sweating easily, I am a person who gets nervous easily. And nerves equal sweat. (and, unfortunately, any charm or charisma I may or may not have is switched off when I am nervous)
Enough rambling. I should get to the point. It often occurs to me that the above is a problem for most people, though you’d never know it to look at them. Tony Blair, a man I admire and respect, famously displayed underarm dark patches during a conference speech. If it is a problem for most people then why do I feel ashamed of it? Like it is an outward sign of guilt or inadequacy? Why is it so near to the worst form of self-consciousness for me? And why does such a normal part of being human create such a seemingly abmormal reaction in the brain?
Remember that famous deodorant ad years ago that exhorted us to “Never let them see you sweat”? Totally masterful play on everyone’s insecurities, that was.
I think there’s a false belief that only nervous/unfit people sweat, therefore showing signs of sweating means you’re uncool. Did Steve McQueen ever have pitstains on film?
Try Drysol. Google the term for all sorts of descriptions.
I used to have issues with excess perspiration. Very much like what you describe. edit - I do not have issues that require me to address any public appearances in French Maid outfits.
I started using Drysol on the pits about 10 years ago. Apply at bedtime once or twice a week. Problem solved immediately.
Sweating? YOU don’t tell ME about sweating, I’LL tell YOU about sweating, hehehe.
You mentioned the effect on shirts. The tendency is to sweat like a pig over here, and I’ve ruined some good shirts from the chemicals in deoderants (forget anti-perspirants; they’re powerless here.) I switched to using “body spray,” specifically the Fcuk brand (yes, it’s a real brand, from the UK, or at least sold in here in Booth’s, a UK chain) in place of deoderant. It works the same but does not ruin the shirts.
Do you have long hair or wear gel in your hair? I’ve found that these things can trap heat that your body needs to dissipate elsewhere. Keeping your head wet, but sans gel… and shorter if you have a lot of hair, will help immensely.
Try the Drysol thing too. Sounds like a winner.
Here in Italy they sell a specially shaped sanitary towel for the armpit. You put them inside the armpit of your shirt and they absorb all the sweat. Voila!!
I’ve found the most effective antiperspirant, better than any stick, spray, roll on or whatever, is Arrid Extra Dry Cream. It comes in a little tray, which you stick your finger in and rub it on your underarms. The technology is ancient (I believe it pre-dates all of the other types), but it really, really works.
Only some drug stores sell it (it’s hard to find in the big chains), but try it and it may well help. It did for me.
You know what gets sweat stains out of clothing? Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Mix equal parts together in a bowl and then scrub the paste into the stained area with a toothbrush for about a minute or until the stain visibly fades. Then throw the clothes into the washing machine and wash as normal (or, as I just did this afternoon, wash the shirt in the sink with a little detergent). Stain be gone.
If it’s that big a problem, shave under your arms (or at least trim the hair short). As long as you’re not wearing a tank top, no one will notice. Hair under your arms traps moisture and makes you smell both.
I’m not quite following this. I always wear a t-shirt (or a v-neck t-shirt if I’m not wearing an open collar shirt) precisely in order to block sweat from getting to my dress shirt. From your post and other posts in this thread, I take it that this does not work for you, but I’m afraid I’m not following. Is it that you sweat so much that the sweat gets through to the dress shirt anyway?
Well, for my case, if I wear a shirt, then a t-shirt and when I start sweating, I feel wet all inside (Singapore here is very humid) and it just feel, disgusting. For me, I sweat everywhere - chest, armpits, neck, my back…
Someone at the Straight Dope recommended me Driclor. It works well for me, except that at times it does get itchy.
I’m afraid I can’t suggest any good ideas; however, I can tell you of a very BAD idea.
Do NOT get the underarm surgery where they tank your sweat glands. I personally know a fella that elected this option. The sweat has to go somewhere. For him, unfornatunatly, it chose his anal region. He now needs to wear a feminine hygene pad or he gets sweat stains on the back of his trousers. Every day. I wish I was kidding. I’m sure he does too.