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J. Sot.. Cosmetic Chemists, 17, 789-800 (1966) The Action of Antiperspirants CHRISTOPHER M. PAPA, M.D.* Presented May 10, 1966, New York City Synopsis--Stripping experiments, methylene blue iontophoresis, and histological studies after induced sweating indicate that formaldehyde forms a physical plug in the sweat duct. On the other hand, similar experiments with aluminum chloride treated skin suggest that this antiperspirant acts by altering the permeability of the sweat duct. Our fastidious population indulges in a significant amount of con- cern about those usually private recesses, the axillae. Women require the area be denuded of hair, and both sexes apparently wish the under- arms dry and odor free. While cold steel swiftly decides the fate of the useless pelage, the chemical attack on axillary perspiration remains un- sure. If the compound to be applied has bacteriostatic properties, it will succeed as a deodorant since it retards the microbial growth which produces the offensive odor (1). Usefulness in sweat suppression, how- ever, is a more vexing problem. The eccrine sweat glands contribute the major portion of secretory products in the axilla. Therefore, interest has centered on chemicals which might produce anhidrosis, interference with the production or delivery of sweat to the skin surface. Both formalin and aluminum salts have been employed for this purpose for some time, without sure knowledge of their modes of action. The popular concept is that both * Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Phila- delphia, Pa. 19104. Research supported by the U.S. Public Health Service, Postdoctoral Fellowship No. F2-AM-15-48801. We are indebted to the inmates of Holmesburg Prison for serving as volunteers and to the administration (Edward Hendrick, Superintendent) for use of the facilities. 789