Summertime boob management
July 25, 2014 12:36 PM   Subscribe

I've been blursed with ample boobs. Ladies of Mefi, is it ok to put antiperspirant under my boobs in the summer months? This is what I've been doing to reduce the perspiration thus far. Am I harming my health in any way by doing this? If so, any alternate strategies? Thanks!
posted by SpecialSpaghettiBowl to Health & Fitness (32 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
To be safe, try a natural antiperspirant or one at least without aluminum. I think in general this is good advice and probably even more so in this instance.
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 12:48 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


I can't speak for health risks but here are two alternate strategies that have worked for some friends of mine: keeping some cleansing face wipes in your purse and using them where/when it gets sweaty and patting some talcum powder underneath (possibly just on the lower cup of your bra) in the morning.

literal LOL at "blursed"
posted by troika at 12:49 PM on July 25, 2014 [17 favorites]


Non-talcum based powder such as Burts Bees. Apply in ventilated space.
posted by Buttons Bellbottom at 12:53 PM on July 25, 2014 [4 favorites]


In an uncontrolled study of one, I have been doing this for about 30 years. No ill effects to report as of yet. Yes, I'm blursed, too, with what my doctor refers to as "this largeness."
posted by a humble nudibranch at 12:55 PM on July 25, 2014 [20 favorites]


I think it's fine - I've been doing it more and more since I got knocked up and my boobs got epically big. My midwife said it's fine. You could also try that Glide stuff they sell for runners (I have tried it and don't like it).
posted by tealcake at 12:55 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


You can buy boob antiperspirant- I won't link to any specific ones, as I haven't tried them, but it exists.
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:56 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


I've been putting antiperspirant under my boobs for years and years with no ill effects. Have at it if it keeps you comfortable.
posted by patheral at 12:57 PM on July 25, 2014 [2 favorites]


I use powder or cornstarch for this. Less sticky than antiperspirant. Plus I have a super cute powder puff dispenser thing in my bathroom and it makes me feel all fancy and lady-like.
posted by sockermom at 1:01 PM on July 25, 2014 [7 favorites]


Yup, this is what well-endowed ladies have been doing for a very long time with no ill effects. If you pour sweat, you can also do the Certain-Dri routine for extra sweat-blocking.
posted by quince at 1:04 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


I, too, use a deodorant under boobs, sometimes. However, I also sometimes use a neckerchief folded several times and put under the band of my bra to absorb the moisture. If it's really a hot day, I can change to a fresh one. This works like a charm. I use a white one for white bras and so on.
posted by donaken at 1:04 PM on July 25, 2014 [7 favorites]


Go for it, as long as you still have somewhere that sweats in the heat. Don't want to end up like the doggies desperately panting, after all. I also find wearing an unlined bra helpful, but you might be more afraid of nipplage than I.
posted by Trifling at 1:05 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


I use something called SweatBlock, which I get on Amazon. It works for me, and I only have to reapply every 4 days our so.
posted by ezust at 1:06 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


Do your bras fit properly? Although you cannot eradicate boob sweat with a supportive bra that adequately lifts the girls up, it definitely makes a difference. Go get a fitting and see.

Also you do have to replace your bras annually, new bras are way less sweaty than old ones.
posted by crazycanuck at 1:12 PM on July 25, 2014 [5 favorites]


I use a special medicated cornstarch powder. (If anyone's in the UK, it's called medipure medicated body powder, 100% talc free.)
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 1:20 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


My first thought was that you need to get your boobs up off your midsection. A good bra fitting is in order. I wear Wacoal bras and I don't have boob-sweat because my boobs aren't rubbing against my skin.

Although there's nothing wrong with using anti-antiperspirant under your boobs if you're so inclined.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:31 PM on July 25, 2014 [7 favorites]


I do this, I have been doing it for years, I am still not dead. Not sure if that's super scientific. If you are worried about it you can buy liners that tuck under your bra, you can get them in not plus sizes too.
posted by wwax at 1:32 PM on July 25, 2014 [3 favorites]


I'm not busty, but I still get boob sweat (yuck) and totally agree with a good bra. You need lifting and separating (the worst sweaty spots are in between my boobs).

Check out A Bra That Fits (or my older ask) to get a good size. Also avoid sports bras if you can help it (unless of course you're working out) because that just creates a lot of skin contact.
posted by Crystalinne at 1:39 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


Hasn't conventional antiperspirant been linked to breast cancer?
posted by Comet Bug at 1:40 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


I am (if being generous) a B cup and I have done this for years as well and it's not because I overlap, it's because I am a fucking pig that sweats clear through the bands and cups of even padded bras, ugh.

I also put a/p between my thighs on particularly bad days like yesterday when I had to be outside for 2 hours straight in a sundress at a company picnic and it was a thousand degrees and uugh ick chub rub obtw that is indeed a sweaty ass print on that barstool why do you ask?
posted by lonefrontranger at 1:43 PM on July 25, 2014 [5 favorites]


Hasn't conventional antiperspirant been linked to breast cancer?

Don't you think it would have been taken off the market if that were true?

In other words, nope. No definitive links.

OP, I really like Lush's "Silky Underwear" powder for dealing with boob-sweat. But they have other powders available, including one designed for feet but it's got tea tree oil in it, so it might be good on the boobage.
posted by palomar at 2:04 PM on July 25, 2014 [7 favorites]


I would totally put antiperspirant under my boobs. That's a good idea! I've put it on my inner thighs to combat chub rub. I usually pat on some cornstarch-based baby powder when I'm really sweaty.
posted by radioamy at 2:08 PM on July 25, 2014 [2 favorites]


I've been doing it a long time. And a stripe down my spine because for some odd reason my spine sweats like nobody's business.
posted by kathrynm at 2:10 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


I'm so busty that I had a chuckle at those suggestions to find a better, more supportive bra to help with the problem. (Yes it may work for you, but at some point (beyond D, DD, DDD/E, F, and into G/H cup size in my case) engineering fails and you just do the best you can without having to resort to steel belting and some kind of pulley system and/or surgery.)

Antiperspirant is absolutely fine under the boobage. I find the texture icky though, and end up having to shower at night to wash it off. The liners can also help, though if you are much of a sweater, they just get soaked and can end up being as uncomfortable as a sweaty bra. Still, they're worth a try.
posted by GoLikeHellMachine at 2:28 PM on July 25, 2014 [11 favorites]


(Yes it may work for you, but at some point (beyond D, DD, DDD/E, F, and into G/H cup size in my case) engineering fails and you just do the best you can without having to resort to steel belting and some kind of pulley system and/or surgery.)

I'm a 42G. Wacoal. $65 per bra. Seriously worth the money. Go to Nordstrom for a fitting.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 2:35 PM on July 25, 2014 [7 favorites]


If you want to try powder instead of antiperspirant, I make my own out of about half and half baking soda and cornstarch, with a few drops of tea tree oil mixed in. (I also add orange and peppermint oil, but that's totally optional.) I keep it in a spice jar with a shaker lid (one with big holes, like from dried herbs rather than powdered spices).
posted by ernielundquist at 2:50 PM on July 25, 2014 [3 favorites]


The People's Pharmacy has an aluminum-free version that uses milk of magnesia.

Bonus: a 20% coupon code can be found in this post (Expires July 31, 2014).
posted by invisible ink at 5:52 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


Strategy one: Get a lifting, push up or demi/balconette bra that is unlined. Or any bra that lifts your boobs up and off your body. Find what fits for your.
Strategy two: wear a sports bra. I love the Panache Sports Bra, as it wicks sweat well, and looks great under clothes.

I am an F cup, and I haven't had much success using antiperspirant under my boobs, but ymmv.
posted by troytroy at 6:23 PM on July 25, 2014 [2 favorites]


Well endowed here as well (30H/HH), and I second a well-fitting bra and cornstarch powder. I like the Johnson's & Johnson's cornstarch baby powder with lavender scent. It's like $3 for a huge container.

If it is hot, you'll still sweat even with a well-fitting bra, but the cornstarch really helps and you don't have all the aluminum worries of antiperspirant. I have to admit it has never occurred to me to put antiperspirant there. I have a dislike/hate relationship with antiperspirant, so I probably wouldn't do it, but if antiperspirant worked better for me generally, I would try it.
posted by jeoc at 7:21 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


My sister has been doing this for decades with no ill effects - she lives in a very hot climate.

I use my bra to soak up the sweat, and wash them frequently. I moved away from a very hot climate because I was sick of sweating all the time.
posted by goo at 7:40 PM on July 25, 2014 [1 favorite]


If you do go looking for more heat-friendly bras, consider trying a spacer bra. They're similar in style to T-shirt bras, but the cups are lightweight and breathable.
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:48 PM on July 25, 2014 [2 favorites]


Response by poster: You are all fantastic!! I feel reassured and I've got some great new things to try. Thank you all so much!
posted by SpecialSpaghettiBowl at 8:07 PM on July 25, 2014


(Yes it may work for you, but at some point (beyond D, DD, DDD/E, F, and into G/H cup size in my case) engineering fails and you just do the best you can without having to resort to steel belting and some kind of pulley system and/or surgery.)

Chiming in as a 34G who boobsweats and also finds a well-fitting bra to be 85% of the battle.

The remaining 15% is "sigh, yup I guess that's boob sweat" because I find antiperspiranting my boobs makes them gross and slimy and ruins my bras. Though YMMV.
posted by phunniemee at 10:16 PM on July 25, 2014


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