Quantitative comparison of topical aluminum salt solution efficacy for management of sweating: a randomized, controlled trial

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.