Dr Ginni Mansberg Protection Against Stress Sweat Interview

Dr Ginni Mansberg Protection Against Stress Sweat Interview

It is a little known fact that humans produce two types of sweat: thermal, or -physical' sweat and emotional, or -stress' sweat.

Stress sweat is produced in emotional, anxious or high pressure situations and, according to recent research conducted by Rexona, almost half of all Australian women are experiencing these sweat-inducing high pressure situations on a daily basis.

For proven protection against this stress sweat, Rexona has created Rexona Clinical Protection, an antiperspirant deodorant specially formulated by the innovation arm of the world's top selling antiperspirant brand, to offer its best protection against -stress' sweat.

A key element of Rexona Clinical Protection's effectiveness is the format; unlike other clinical strength products, Rexona Clinical Protection is a creamy, soft-solid format that is gentle on skin and offers a deeper level of protection against sweat.

Unilever Marketing Director Jon McCarthy says the soft-solid Rexona product was the first clinical strength antiperspirant deodorant available in Australia, and the strong sales show that stress sweat is an issue faced by more Australian women then we realise.

'Australian women today lead busy lives. They are always on the go and juggling a million things at once, so the last thing they have time to think about is whether their deodorant is doing its job.

'Our clinical strength antiperspirant deodorant has been clinically tested and proven to provide unbeatable protection against not only sweat, but also odour, so our Rexona users can be sure they're getting our best possible protection," McCarthy continues.

Rexona Clinical Protection has a unique combination of sweat-activated and motion-activated capsules that are designed to release extra bursts of freshness throughout the day and when it's needed most. This unique motion-activated technology works in sync with you and your body, releasing extra protection as you move throughout the day.

Rexona Clinical Protection is also available in Men's Clinical Protection, with a formula specifically made for men.

For more information about Rexona, please visit www.rexona.com.au/en/women/products/clinical-protection

Rexona Clinical Protection RRP $14.73

Interview with Dr Ginni Mansberg

Question: What are the two types of sweat?

Dr Ginni Mansberg: There is sweat that comes from eccrine sweat glands all over your body. This sweat is pretty much a combo of water and salts. The ickier sweat comes from the apocrine sweat glands in hairy parts of the body especially the groin and armpits. For some reason we still don't know the apocrine glands produce sweat like eccrine sweat but jam packed with extra goodies like proteins and fats that are a juicy meal for bacteria that live on the skin.

Question: How common is stress sweat?

Dr Ginni Mansberg: We don't have good stats on how common stress sweat is but there are sympathetic nervous system receptors on your sweat glands so most people will sweat a bit when stressed and nervous.


Question: When does stress sweat most commonly occur?

Dr Ginni Mansberg: You sweat most when you are hot! It is designed as a cooling system for the skin and works really well. Also, stress sweat commonly occurs when people are stressed and nervous.


Question: What is the difference between the two types of sweat?

Dr Ginni Mansberg: Eccrine sweat is mainly water with a few salts. Apocrine sweat also has fats and proteins that bacteria love to eat so it can make your groin and armpits smelly, and can also turn your clothes yellow!


Question: What are the treatment options for stress sweat?

Dr Ginni Mansberg: Like flushing from stress it can be hard to control. We can send you to a psychologist to help you manage your sweat, or you can opt for a more extreme treatment for a serious almost debilitating sweat problem. Things like medications, Botox and even surgery are all out there. But we keep them in reserve. The best in-between treatment is to use an effective high strength antiperspirant.


Question: Can you talk about the impact sweat can have on a woman's confidence and self-esteem?
Dr Ginni Mansberg: Sweat is normal so in theory it shouldn't worry us at all. It becomes a problem if it comes packaged up with horrible BO that makes you paranoid and if it breaks out all over your clothes at the worst moments. I would say that if sweat is ALL you have to worry about in life, happy days. But if you feel your confidence is really taking a battering as a result of your sweat patches, chat to your GP about seeing a psychologist to explore your self-esteem in general. Because the sweat is easy enough to fix, but in the long run, we want you out there feeling confident again!


Question: Is it possible to tell a friend, that they smell, without insulting them?

Dr Ginni Mansberg: Wow it can be tough to tell someone they have a BO issue. Even someone you hardly know! If it's a friend you care about a lot and it is delivered in a kind and helpful way without being judgmental that's better. Try telling them it's not ALWAYS there and that because so often people aren't even aware of their own smells, you are just trying to offer a hug and some advice!


Question: How does sweat ruin clothing?

Dr Ginni Mansberg: The apocrine sweat can discolour your clothes as it contains fats and proteins that can get into your clothing and need a good dose of stain remover to really nix! Oh and the bacteria that cause BO can leave stinky smells on your clothes! Please wash and if necessary soak your clothes with an underarm pong for everyone's sake!!


Question: Can you talk about botox as a treatment option, for sweat?

Dr Ginni Mansberg: Botox is incredibly effective for treating sweat. A series of injections into the armpits themselves delivering that Botulinum toxin into the sweat glands paralyses them making them unable to squirt out the wet stuff. The down sides are the pain. It hurts (although it hurts way less than Botox into the feet and palms for heavy sweating. That is seriously not fun). The expense is the other disadvantage. There is a Medicare rebate for people with hyperhydrosis or very heavy sweating. You can chat to your GP about it. The Botox must be administered by a dermatologist or neurologist and you must first have tried one of the medical grade high strength deodorants and had to stop because of a rash, or if they just don't work.


Interview by Brooke Hunter