Everything You Need To Know About Drysol (Prescription Antiperspirant)

Drysol (prescription antiperspirant) is usually the first thing a doctor will prescribe when you tell them about your “moisture management” challenges 😉

The bottom line: Drysol is definitely a potential remedy for excessive sweating. It does work for some people (see reviews below). But at the same time, it’s strong. And there are some potential pitfalls and side effects.

This page will give you what you need to know about Drysol, like…

• What it is and how it works.
• Where you can use it (e.g. armpits, palms, etc.)
• How to use Drysol effectively
• Common side effects to watch for

Also, you may wanna’ check these pages out too because other people found them useful…

• Why it’s smart to see a doctor about excessive sweating
• Extra strength antiperspirants you can buy at the store
• NEW! FULL access to our whole sweat-stopping system

Alright, now on to Drysol…

How Does Drysol Work?

Drysol’s active ingredient is aluminum chloride. Almost all over-the-counter antiperspirants have aluminum-based active ingredients.

Go check the back of yours right now and you’ll see. It will say, “Active Ingredient: Aluminum-something, XY%”

The only difference is, Drysol has more aluminum.

Regular antiperspirants usually have around 15-25% concentrations of aluminum. Drysol can have a concentration of aluminum as high as 40%+!

In other words Drysol, is WAY stronger.

How Does Drysol / Aluminum Stop Sweat?

In short, Drysol stops sweat the same way other antiperspirants do…The aluminum penetrates the sweat glands, and “blocks” or “plugs” them temporarily.

The only difference between a Drysol and Speed Stick is that aluminum concentration that we were talking about before.

Drysol plugs sweat glands much more powerfully than Speed Stick, and the effect lasts for a longer period of time.

And now for everyone’s favorite part of the day…

…Science-Talk!

What You Can Use Drysol For

Obviously you use Drysol to stop excessive sweating.

You can use Drysol on your armpits, palms, feet, and scalp.

For more sensitive areas like your face or abdomen, use a lower concentration, or speak with your doctor.

How Do I Use Drysol?

Use Drysol at bedtime because sweat glands are least active while you sleep.

Do not use Drysol on cracked, broken, or recently shaven skin.

Wash and dry the effected area. Make sure it is completely dry. Some people use a fan or a hair-dryer to help dry the area off.

Apply the solution as directed on the box. Usually either with an applicator that was provided or cotton balls.

For sweaty underarms…

Apply Drysol evenly to underarm skin. Hold your arms up in the air allowing the solution to dry and a thin film to be created.

Sleep with a t-shirt (not a tank-top) to prevent the solution from getting on your sheets.

For sweaty palms or sweaty feet…

Apply Drysol evenly to the skin on the affected area. Allow the solution to evaporate and form a thin film on your palms or the soles of your feet.

Sleep with cotton gloves/mittens (palms) or socks (feet) to prevent Drysol from getting on your linens.

Can I use Drysol on my back, chest, legs and other areas?

For Best Results…

Cover the affected area with plastic wrap before sleeping. This can be a little tricky for sweaty armpits because it’s hard to get the plastic in the right place.

It’s easy for sweaty palms and feet because you can just apply the plastic before putting on the gloves or socks.

Another strategy is to
try without plastic first
to see if it works. If it doesn’t work you can always add the plastic.

In the morning, wash the treated area thoroughly with soap and water to remove excess medicine.

Do not use any other antiperspirants or deodorants that contain aluminum while using Drysol.

Repeat this process for 2 or 3 consecutive nights, or until the excessive sweating dries up.

After that point, you can use periodically, whenever you notice excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis returning.

Before Using Drysol

Drysol and pregnancy? Let your doctor know if you are breast-feeding, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Tell your doctor about any prescription and non-prescription drugs that you take.

Also tell them about any herbal or dietary supplements you may be taking.

And finally let your health care provider know about any existing allergies that you have.

At the time of this writing, there are no drugs that are known to have adverse interactions with Drysol.

But talk to your Doc in-depth, just to be on the safe side.

Are There Any Side Effects Of Drysol?

The most common side effects of drysol reported were a burning or prickly sensation after beginning use.

I actually tried Drysol for my sweaty palms and I did experience this prickly sensation.

If it persists or becomes bothersome, check with your doctor.

Some people also reported that it makes their skin dry.

If you have any SEVERE reactions to Drysol, obviously stop using it and check with your doctor.

Reviews: Does This Stuff Work Or What?

Well, it did work pretty well when I tried it on my sweaty palms, but we were doing other things simultaneously. For a summary of the entire system we used to stop sweating (which included Drysol, but also many other things)
click here.

If  you look around for Drysol reviews online, it’ll be a mixed bag. Here’s a review that someone emailed me after reading this article (Drysol apparently worked for her)…

Back to the main Doctor page

Daylight com’ an’ me wanna’ GO HOME! <—- haha meaning, back to the homepage 🙂

Other excessive sweating links you may find helpful:

Learn about oral medications for hyperhidrosis

Learn about the causes of armpit sweat and hyperhidrosis

What is this Mechanic Method business?

How can I use my mind in a smart way to stop hyperhidrosis?

How should I treat my body if I want to stop sweating?

What about some other armpit sweat tips?

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