Prescription-Strength Anti-Perspirants
If you have already tried “clinical strength” antiperspirants for your Hyperhidrosis and need something stronger, “prescription-strength” antiperspirants may be just what you’re looking for. “Prescription-strength” antiperspirants have a different active ingredient than “clinical-strength”: aluminum chloride. For some people, this active ingredient really does the trick!
There are several products on the market that use this ingredient; the products I am most familiar with are Maxim and Certain-Dri. Each of these products is water-based (which purportedly helps lessen irritation) and uses 12-16% aluminum chloride. There are a few variables between these products, such as the amount of aluminum chloride used, and various added inactive ingredients added, like moisturizers and “buffering solutions”. As with “clinical strength” products, nighttime application is key to see results from these products. BE SURE your skin is bone-dry, or there will be burning! I have heard of people using the cool setting of a hair dryer.
I have read dozens (possibly 100+) reviews of both Maxim and Certain-Dri, and it is clear that some people do have a bad reaction to aluminum chloride (specifically, intense burning, itching and redness). In some cases, aluminum chloride simply does not work at all. However, there do seem to be a good number of folks who have experienced relief from these products. Both Maxim and Certain-Dri have been on the market for years; clearly they are safe and can be effective IF you follow the directions provided. Both Certain Dri and Maxim are available on Amazon, as shown below. If you click on an item, you will be taken to Amazon.com and you can purchase it (and anything else!) on Amazon.com
There is another product available online that seems promising, called Klima. Klima is unique for two reasons: it is a spray, and it also is available in three formulations:
- Klima Antiperspirant and Deodorant
- Klima Confidence Handspray, and
- Klima Surefoot Spray.
There are many glowing testimonials on the Klima website, KlimaDeodorant.com, but as these products are not as widely used as those mentioned above, there are fewer customer reviews on third party websites. The dozen or so reviews I could see were mixed– some users were very happy, others had the burning and itching that the other products can cause, and a few had limited relief from sweating. I have spoken to people who are familiar with the products and they tell me that they do know of many people who are have had success with the various Klima formulas. I would say that because everyone has a different reaction to these products, they are all worth trying. All three formulations are available on Klima’s website, as well as Amazon.com, as you can see below. Again, simply click on the image and you will be taken to Amazon’s site for purchase.
I do have some personal experience with prescription-strength antiperspirants.
Click here to read about it…
As I stated above, you can expect to feel some irritation in the form of burning or itching, but these companies use various ingredients to help alleviate these side effects. Maxim offers a formula for “sensitive skin” which may be a good option. Also, many people have found that they do not need to apply the product every night and can experience several days of dryness after one application. As for the odor factor, be advised that these products do NOT contain a deodorant. The idea is that if you are not sweating, there should be no odor to control. Several reviewers noted emphatically, however, that they still had a problem with odor. To answer that issue, I know that Certain-Dri has recently come out with a product called A.M. Underarm Refresher that claims to control odor (available for purchase on the Amazon carousel above, just click on its picture). Reviewers also suggested that they had good results from applying a regular deodorant (not an antiperspirant/deodorant, just a deodorant) in the morning.
All in all, I do think these products are worth giving a try; just be aware that there could be side effects involved, and that everyone reacts differently to these– and all– Hyperhidrosis treatments. The formulas have certainly improved in the years since I last tried them, and the numbers of people who have found relief cannot be denied. Because each brand offers a slightly different formula, if you have an adverse reaction to one, I recommend that you try another. You may think that sounds like I’m asking you to keep spending money, but the treatment options for Hyperhidrosis only get more expensive with each level. Antiperspirants are absolutely the least expensive treatment, so do everything you can to exhaust every option!
Maxim is available online at Amazon.com
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