Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Quantitative Autonomic Testing
Published on: July 19, 2011
Quantitative comparison of topical aluminum salt solution efficacy for management of sweating: a randomized,
Jillian H Swary1, Dennis P West1, Rohit Kakar2
1Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Background:
There is a lack of studies objectively comparing the efficacy of topical antiperspirants in reducing sweat.
Objective:
To objectively and quantitatively compare the efficacy of two aluminum salt solutions for the reduction of induced sweating.
Methods:
A subject, rater, and statistician-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Nineteen subjects were exposed to a standardized heat challenge for 3 h. Topical agent A (20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate) was randomized to either axilla, and topical agent B (1% aluminum acetate) assigned to the contralateral side. A sauna suit induced sweating during three 30-min heat intervals: (1) with no study agents (pre); (2) with both study agents, one on each side; and (3) after the agents were washed off (post). Sweat levels were measured by securing Whatman(®) filter paper to each axilla and measuring the paper weight after each heat interval. The difference in paper weight following each heat interval between Study Agent A and Study Agent B was measured by a gravimetric scale.
Results:
Topical agent A had a significantly greater effect at reducing axillary sweating than B (P = 0.0002).
Conclusion:
In a sweating simulation, 20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate quantitatively and objectively appeared to reduce sweat more effectively than 1% aluminum acetate.
