Pore-blocking antiperspirant chemicals don’t work for everyone. Some
“hyperhydrosis” sufferers sweat so much that they pay specialists to apply
60-volt shocks that drive aluminium ions into their pores, giving a few weeks’
relief. Robert Tapper of Los Angeles is now patenting a less drastic solution
(WO 0054834). The patient wears pads under the armpits, each made from aluminium
electrodes and a sponge dosed with aluminium chlorohydrate or aluminium
zirconium. A small alternating current from a belt pack gently pushes ions into
the skin and pores.
Technology
No sweat
By Barry Fox
20 January 2001
