Hyperhidrosis is a common condition which causes a person to sweat excessively. The sweating may affect your whole body, or it may only affect certain areas. Commonly affected areas include the underarms, the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. It affects around 1% of the population.
I developed axillary, or underarm hyperhidrosis in my late teens. In my case it is genetic, inherited from my mum. When I was around fifteen, she underwent an incredibly invasive and controversial operation known as an Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy. ETS is a nerve blocking procedure where the surgeon deflates the lungs, one side at a time, in order to reach the sympathetic nerve chain. The nerve is then cut, with the intention of improving or even eradicating symptoms. My mum underwent surgery was a last resort after all other treatment options had been exhausted. While it was initially successful, she now experiences a common side effect of the procedure known as compensatory sweating, or CS, which in her opinion is worse than the original symptoms she experienced all those years ago.I tell this story to emphasise the extent to which she was prepared to go to get rid of her hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that not only affects your physical health, but also your mental and emotional well-being too. I would only wear black and I avoided having my photograph taken on nights out for fear the flash would reveal my humiliating secret. It restricted the jobs I would take because if the uniform wasn’t black I feared I would expose myself to looks from customers and questions about my hygiene from colleagues. It made me anxious about dating and I would douse myself in deodorant and fragrance in a desperate attempt to mask any potential odour. I was in a constant state of anxiety that people would notice my condition and draw attention to it.
I, like my mum before me, tried all of the usual preventative treatments and none of them worked. Then, in my early twenties, I was accepted on to a clinical trial for botox treatment. The treatment involves having multiple injections of botox into your armpits at centimetre intervals. It’s a quick and relatively painless procedure and I am privileged to have had access to it through the NHS for many years. Unfortunately, waiting times for appointments have become increasingly longer; I used to have treatment every six to nine months, now I am waiting up to twelve months. My last appointment was in March of this year and my next appointment is in February 2023 and for this reason I have been on the look out for a deodorant that can help keep me dry as the botox wears off. As luck would have it, I saw an ad on Instagram for The Polar Company.
The Polar Company was founded by Martijn Bohncke and Dennis van Steijn in 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, after failing to find a remedy for hyperhidrosis that worked for them. Their mission was simple; to keep themselves, and us, cool in every situation.
They use a special, secret formula that mixes salt and alcohol together. Salt acts as a key ingredient to temporarily shut off the sweat glands, while preventing bacteria from spreading to keep skin hygienic. Simply applied to your underarms using a spray or roller before bedtime, the product works its magic while you sleep. Polar absorbs into the skin overnight and works effectively thanks to its alcohol based ACH formula. Each application lasts between three and five days and disappears with the natural shedding of skin cells.
I used Polar’s Strong Roller Mist before bed and woke up dry. I applied my roll on deodorant in the morning as usual and, while I usually need to reapply at lunchtime, I remained sweat-free all day. It is so good, I have only needed to apply three times since I started using it a couple of weeks ago. Other prescription overnight deodorants I have tried in the past were uncomfortable and stung my underarms; not only is Polar available online from www.thepolarcompany.com, it feels completely comfortable on my skin. I am genuinely blown away by this product.
It is hard to express just how life changing a product like Polar can be for those of us who experience hyperhidrosis. Many products claim to stop the symptoms of what is often an incredibly stressful and embarrassing condition but few really work. I would go so far as to say that Polar is the best deodorant I have ever found to combat excessive sweating. If you or a friend or loved one are looking for an effective solution to hyperhidrosis, then look no further than The Polar Company.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to promote consumer understanding and knowledge of The Polar Company. It is based on the experience and opinion of one individual and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
Stewart Thurlow
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