Help me beat the sweat

Dear Betsy, Now that the weather is hotting up I am dreading the return of my big problem. It never really goes away even in cold weather and I am so embarrassed by it.

I sweat so badly that it stains my clothes and it looks so bad as it spreads down my arms and sides of my clothes. I feel everyone is looking at me and I try to keep my arms by my side so it's not noticed. I am in my 30s now and it has been like that since I was a teenager at school. I have used just about every antiperspirant on the market Betsy and none of them work.

I worry that I smell bad too and spend all day in the office running to the ladies room to wash and put perfume. Is there anything I can do to make this stop?

Panicky J.

Dear Panicky J,

This is a very common problem and in our climate, there are not many of us who don't have damp sweat patches under our arms at some point in the day.

I know it can be embarrassing for you but there are things that can help.

The apocrine sweat glands are responsible for the 'smelly' sweat but this is also part of your unique individual odour and ironically although you may worry about it, this is what attracts potential mates to you through the release of pheromones.

This is potent stuff and several fragrance manufacturers claim to have replicated this in their scents. Personally, I think will remain faithful to Chanel's philosophy!

It is vital that we sweat as it is one of the body's ways of excreting toxins and regulating your body temperature, so I don't recommend the use of antiperspirants.

Washing regularly, using a simple deodorant and avoiding excessive spicy, garlicky foods, drinking at least two litres of water a day and wearing natural fibres such as cotton or linen can all help.

There has been much written about possible carcinogenics in anti-perspirants and deodorants and I feel that the safest deodorants to use are the simple, natural crystal ones you can find in the supermarkets from around BD1 upwards. I use these and find them very effective.

Of course, in medical terms, excessive sweating is a recognised condition called hyperhydrosis which statistically is said to affect 25 per cent of Asians.

In severe cases it can be treated with a simple surgical procedure but there is some evidence that Botox injections can also help this problem.

I suggest you talk to your GP and explain how upsetting this is for you and you can discuss your options.

Try to build in some regular exercise and relaxation time as stressful situations lead to the 'flight or fight' syndrome causing us to sweat more as our bodies fight to deal with the physical effects of stress and the fact that we don't have dinosaurs chasing us these days, no matter how ugly your boss might seem!

One last word of advice, avoid spraying perfume on top of sweat as this will not make you smell sweet.

The fragrance will just mix with the bacteria on your skin which causes the smell and create a sickly unpleasant odour.

Instead wash and reapply that crystal deodorant. If washing is not always a practical solution then carry around a pack of those baby wipes or make up remover tissues and use them instead.

GIVE UP SMOKING TO GET A YOUNGER LOOK

Dear Betsy,

I have been a smoker for over 20 years. I have tried to stop before, but was not really serious.

Now when I look in the mirror I see all these wrinkles and an unfamiliar old face stares back at me. Is it true that giving up smoking will help my skin look younger? My husband says he doesn't recognise me from the girl he married. Please help.

E.L.

Dear E.L.,

Giving up smoking will not only help your skin look younger, but you will feel so much better in a surprisingly short time. I know it isn't easy, but it sounds like you have found the necessary motivation this time.

Lots of nasty things happen to your body when you smoke, not least of all is the fact that your body rushes to use up all the vitamins and minerals in the body just to counteract in some small way the negative effects of smoking.

This means that your body does not really get the opportunity to use those vitamins in minerals where they are most needed for everyday use.

In smokers, one of the most obvious vitamins that is misused is vitamin C. This is essential for so many of your body's functions, including the health of your skin. I always advise smokers to take a good quality multivitamin and also a 1,000mg effervescent vitamin C tablet to ensure your body gets its minimum requirement.

It is not dangerous to take extra vitamin C in this form as it is a water soluble vitamin and any excess that remains will be excreted naturally by your body.

Smokers are often dehydrated too and this can also have an ageing effect on your skin (and your brain). Drinking two litres of mineral water a day will help all of your body systems and help to flush out all those toxins as your body tries to detox and rebalance once you quit smoking.

Many wrinkles will look worse than they really are due to dehydration and lack of essential vitamins.

For a fast skin revitaliser, I would advise a diet rich in cold oily fish, such as salmon or tuna, green leaf salads including fresh spinach and half an avocado, steamed broccoli, mange tout and asparagus and baby carrots, 3-5 eggs a week, fresh fruits rich in betacarotene such as mango, papaya, sweet melon, watermelon, apricots etc and cut out refined sugar and fats. Cook with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice and use this as a salad dressing.

Try not to add salt to your food and do not drink fizzy drinks, tea or coffee. Focus on herbal teas and mineral water and no alcohol. Try this healthy regime for a full week and you will look and feel so much better.

For a quick natural facial treatment, apply the flesh of a fresh papaya to clean skin, or smear the inside of the papaya skin over your face and neck leave for 15 to 20 minutes. The natural enzyme ( papayain) in the fruit will dissolve dead skin cells and act as a gentle exfoliant. Mix together a teaspoon of sweet almond oil and two drops of either rose, frankinsence or lavender essential oil and massage over your face and neck for ten minutes.

Leave on your skin and apply a lightly beaten egg white to your face and neck, put some ice cold milk on cotton wool and place over your eyes. Relax for 15 minutes, rinse off with warm water, splash your skin with some rose water and apply your regular moisturiser and eye cream.

When you scoop out the flesh of the avocado, smear the inside of the skin over your hands and arms it is is a powerfully nourishing moisturiser. Leave for 20 minutes or so and rinse.

This skin care regime coupled with a good nutritional programme will soon yield positive results. Obviously you should not drastically alter your diet in any way without consulting your doctor, especially if you have a medical condition, are pregnant or are taking regular medication.

Apart from these visible results, your skin, clothes and hair will no longer smell of stale cigarette smoke when you join the ex-smokers club.

Have you given up smoking? Share the secrets of your success with us. Email: betsymathieson @hotmail.com