No matter how hard you try, sweating will happen. But when your sweat reaches an excessive amount, you'll need something stronger than basic store-shelf antiperspirants. And prescription or prescription “strength" antiperspirant, is required.
Sometimes, it can be hard to know when you need to use a prescription or a clinical "strength" antiperspirant. This is because there are a lot of different types and strengths, and it can be tricky to decide which one is right for you.
What Is Prescription Antiperspirant?
Antiperspirants work by stopping sweat from coming out through the pores on your skin, which keeps you dry and odor-free. The term “prescription antiperspirant” refers to an antiperspirant you can only get from a doctor.
All antiperspirants contain aluminum — it’s the main active ingredient that reduces sweating. But What
makes an antiperspirant more potent is the amount and type of aluminum compound.
Prescription antiperspirants contain a higher percentage of aluminum chloride than their drugstore counterparts (around 20 percent). They also contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate, a different, stronger aluminum compound than over-the-counter options.
Prescription medications should not be overlooked. Prescription antiperspirants may have severe side effects if used incorrectly.
If you're experiencing excessive sweating, make sure to consult with your doctor before starting prescription antiperspirant therapy.
How does prescription antiperspirant work?
If you perspire a lot, it's important to know how prescription antiperspirant works.
Antiperspirants work by stopping sweat from coming out of the skin. When they get close to perspiration, they soak up the moisture and thicken into a gel-like substance. By spreading aluminum chloride, or any kind of aluminum salt, on areas that sweat, the resulting reaction forms a gel-like plug that blocks the sweat glands and prevents sweat from reaching the skin’s surface. The perspiration flow is then stopped by the body's feedback system.
Sweat glands start to function as normal when the plugs wear off over time. The antiperspirant must be reapplied at this point, and the period may vary from several hours to many days depending on the strength of the antiperspirant.
Usually, prescription antiperspirants last more than standard over ther counter ones.
If you perspire a lot and don't feel comfortable using traditional antiperspirant, you may consider trying a prescription antiperspirant instead. However, while it can be a great solution, make sure you try the over-the-counter options first before seeking out a prescription.
Should I Use a Prescription Strength Antiperspirant?
When it comes to antiperspirants, it's important to be certain of the strength you need. This is a question that you and your doctor are the only ones qualified to answer.
Some products contain strong chemicals that can be harmful if used incorrectly. To determine if you need a prescription antiperspirant, first measure the amount of sweat you experience. If you're experiencing excessive sweating during the day and it interferes with your social life and gets you anxious, then you may need to use a higher-strength product.
If you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to relieve your excessive sweating, talk to your doctor about available prescription antiperspirants.
How to Choose the Right Prescription Antiperspirant
When choosing an antiperspirant, try to start slowly, don´t jump to the most potent option first. Prescription antiperspirants are more expensive, can be abrasive on your skin, and require tedious, careful application compared to regular deodorant. While it can be a great solution, make sure you try the over-the-counter options first before seeking out a prescription.
When choosing a product, be sure to consider your lifestyle and the kind of clothing you wear. For example, if you're active and wear clothes that make you sweat a lot, you'll want an antiperspirant that is effective against both sweat and odor.
Depending on how much you sweat and where your doctor may recommend a custom solution. The type of hyperhidrosis also matters.
In addition, read the ingredients carefully to make sure there are no harmful or if you have any allergies to chemicals. Always talk to your doctor about it.
Differences between Prescription Antiperspirant vs. Prescription “Strength” Antiperspirant
It’s common for people to confuse the two. But they are different.
While Prescription "strength" means extra strong (contains more Aluminum salts or uses a more potent form of Aluminum). Prescription-only antiperspirants are even stronger, require a prescription, and can only be purchased at a pharmacy. They usually contain a higher concentration of Aluminum Chloride (20% or more) and can be more effective in extreme sweating cases, but have additional health risks and side effects.
Prescription antiperspirants are designed to be used only by people who have been diagnosed with hyperhidrosis and tend to be more expensive than OTC antiperspirants, but they offer a higher level of protection.
Alternative Treatments to Prescription Antiperspirants
There's no need to reach for the prescription antiperspirant when there are a variety of alternative treatments that can work just as well. Try OTC prescription or clinical "strength" antiperspirants (like Duradry) before resorting to prescription-only. Many of these products can be purchased online via Amazon or at your local drug store, and don’t require a doctor's prescription.
Trying out different ingredients and strategies is key to finding a treatment plan that fits your needs. Plus, always consult with your doctor before starting an alternate treatment - they may have other recommendations specific to your body type and skin chemistry.
Skip the Doctor’s Office with Duradry
Clinical strength products like Duradry, provide improved sweat reduction compared to traditional over-the-counter antiperspirants, and with less skin irritation than prescription products. And the most important thing is that the company is focused on the needs of hyperhidrosis sufferers.
Duradry 3-Step system is an affordable, easy-to-apply, easy-to-buy, and pain-free solution to your excessive sweating.
Duradry’s 3 Step System is an OTC clinical strength antiperspirant with science-backed active ingredients to support its claims. Duradry’s products use the highest quality ingredients that don’t break down during application. By using our 3-step system 97% of our customers report achieving full dryness within one week.
While several prescription antiperspirant brands are effective at treating excessive sweating, there are a few trade-offs to consider, such as potential side effects (such as skin irritation) and the cost and inconvenience of going to the doctor and getting your antiperspirant from a pharmacy. Remember to try OTC clinical strength antiperspirant before jumping to a prescription-only drug.
