Perspiration

[pygmalion]

Okay. As dancers, we all talk about it, and we all deal with it, but does anyone care to share tips on managing perspiration?

http://www.eijkhout.net/rad/dance_other/health8.html

[Sagitta]

Bubble gum so you don't feel you need to drink that much. The "Lavilin" product sounds interesting, but I don't think I would want to mess up my body for two days or longer using that. :)

[pygmalion]

I really liked the suggestion about layering shirts. That never occurred to me, although it should have, since that's exactly what I do at the gym. :?

[Swing Kitten]

I do the standard deodorant and such. I also wear an undershirt as well as bring a spare shirt. So at least I don't sweat through everything.

Sweat while dancing doesn't bother me much... it's not only natural it's inevitable and shows someone putting themselves into the dance. Now if it had been five days since their last shower now that is a different story.

[pygmalion]

Yup, SK. Sweat is pretty much an inevitable part of physical exercise. My problem isn't with swing, it's with smooth/standard dancing in closed position. It feels really nasty to get into dance position and grab a handful (figuratively speaking only) of somebody's sweaty armpit. Yuck! If I can, I'd like to prevent my partners from having that experience, even though I sweat pretty heavily. High metabolism. *shrug*

[Swing Kitten]

in swing dances you can spend a good amount of time in closed position... especailly if you Balboa (which I want to learn more of). I hear where you're coming from Jenn... avoiding sweat on the dance floor would be nice :shrug: it's why I do all the other stuff.

[pygmalion]

Yup, SK. I can kind of ignore the sweat in swing, rumba, and a few other dances -- because closed position is pretty loose. But in smooth/standard dances, closed position involves body contact. Yuck, if you've been dancing a while, because lots of body parts sweat, not just arm pits. Your whole body could be soaked. Just imagine how yucky to be in "clothes contact" from rib cage to knee (e.g. tango) with a soaking wet partner. *shudder*

That's why the implied suggestion in the article about using antiperspirants on various body parts sounds like something I'll try. I also wonder if there are fabrics out there that are better at wicking away moisture? Anybody have suggestions?

[tango]

There are special fabrics that do a great job of holding moisture (i.e. Nike DryFit). They have undershirts made of this material. It pull the moisture from your body and holds it in the layers to allow evaporation. You'll have to look around for the style that doesn't have collars or cuffs etc, but it's easy to find in Canada because it's used in "cold weather" gear for outdoor activity. Hockey comes to mind.

[Vince A]

There are special fabrics that do a great job of holding moisture (i.e. Nike DryFit). They have undershirts made of this material. It pull the moisture from your body and holds it in the layers to allow evaporation. You'll have to look around for the style that doesn't have collars or cuffs etc, but it's easy to find in Canada because it's used in "cold weather" gear for outdoor activity. Hockey comes to mind.
Most large-chain sporting goods stores have these . . . they are thin cotton-like T shirt material, but very densely woven to absorb perspiration. If you live in a ski area . . . they'll have these shirts . . .

[ballroomboilergirl]

Nike DryFit is awesome...I wear their women's spaghetti strap tanks and yoga pants to practice in. My partner practices in one of their men's short sleeve dry-fit tops like this:

http://niketown.nike.com/pdp.jhtml?style=113656&categoryID=52666&navType=bestSellers

The only problem is that the DryFit line is not very aethetically pleasing and really isn't suitable for, say, competition or social dancing. But for practice the entire line is great :D

As for dealing with perspiration, I couldn't really give you a preventative measure, but to manage it after it happens I SWEAR by Dove Deodorizing Body Cloths. They're basically these baby-wipe type things with deodorant and moisturizer on them...just swipe one of those babies over your neck, back, underarms, or wherever else you're sweating and you feel sooo much better. And they come in nifty travel-sized packs for only $1.75 (perfect for dance bags and purses!) The Dove cloths are girly-scented, so unless you're into that kind of thing :lol: , guys would probably be better off using the deodorizing cloths made by Old Spice which are basically the same thing except with the classic Old Spice scent to it.

[pygmalion]

Thanks for the suggestion. That dry fit line looks great -- a couple T-shirts or tank tops should do the trick, at least for practice. :banana:

When I was checking the web earlier today, I saw that someone else suggested wearing Mirella leotards, because they wick away moisture. Dry fit sounds better, though. I'm going to try those first. Thanks again. :D

[SwinginBoo]

Dry fit is the best!!! So comfortable. I have never worn any of my running clothes dancing, though I have been tempted to. It's a question of purpose vs. style. I'm still a bit too vain I think. :wink:

[HepcatBob]

Don't sweat the petty stuff. Pet the sweaty stuff!

:lol: :lol: :lol:
:wink: :wink: :wink:

[SDsalsaguy]

Don't sweat the petty stuff. Pet the sweaty stuff!

Ouch! :doh:

[jon]

(a) Cotton shirts & undershirts, reasonably heavy fabric. I avoid synthetics as well as silk, which wicks so effectively that the one time I tried it, I got wet pants as well as shirts! The undershirt delays onset of dampness in the shirt, and also saves it from dissolving/discoloring at the armpits over time as antiperspirant is washed out.

(b) Prints with lots of detail are better at hiding damp spots than solids or coarser patterns. Or, black or white shirts.

(c) Take a couple of changes of shirt and duck into the bathroom as necessary.

(d) Hankies to wipe brow / face / forearms with as needed.

(e) Avoid dancing with people who act too finicky about it. People with contra dance experience tend to be particularly understanding about sweat :-)

[Swing Kitten]

are there dancers who have serious issues about a partner who sweats? ... I don't know of any

[SDsalsaguy]

are there dancers who have serious issues about a partner who sweats?
Yes! ...but only when they don't use deoderant. :wink:

[pygmalion]

Amen to that, SD! There's on eguy I can think of who used to always come to dance class straight from work -- hands on, blue collar type work. And yikes! :shock: That guy could have used some Dove deodorizing body cloths! He was a nice guy and a pretty good lead. I don't hink anyone ever told him, either. The ladies were too sensitive/embarrassed to mention personal stuff, and the guys weren't the ones dancing with him. :?