A reader writes:
We all know dancers work hard and sweat. Thing is, I sweat excessively! When I dance, it starts from the very first minutes in class and then gets worse and worse!
That brings many undesired results: a) I smell bad, b) I’m sticky and watery so I guess it’s not appealing for my dance partner and I get embarrassed when he touches me, c) my leotard or unitard gets sweaty marks under the armpits, under the breasts, belly, back, waist, groin, buttocks (that means everywhere).
It’s so embarrassing! Most of my classmates do not sweat as I do. If you have any advice, ideas, solutions, article or anything else on this, I would really appreciate it!
Dear reader, I know this can be an embarrassing situation.
First, understand sweating during physical activity is normal and healthy.
Heavy sweating (unless it’s accompanied by pain, trouble breathing, or underlying health problems) may actually be a sign that you are more physically fit than your non-sweating classmates. At the very least it shows you have an efficient cooling system!
Do put your mind at ease and talk with your doctor to rule out any conditions that may be causing you to sweat excessively.
Second, don’t be unnecessarily self-conscious and worried that others see you in a negative light because you sweat heavily.
I would bet no one is as put off by it as you feel they might be. You are dancing with enough energy and intensity to raise your core body temperature, and it shows! Most teachers, choreographers, and performers appreciate this in their fellow dancers.
If someone is put off by it, well, it’s really his/her problem, not yours. (I know this may feel hard to accept. But it’s true and that person really just needs to get over it.)
Don’t be afraid to use humor and make light of the issue. Crawling into a corner, apologizing as excessively as you sweat, or letting someone’s rude comment get to you creates tension around the issue. Tension turns small issues into big ones and others may try to break this tension with hurtful jokes or rude comments. There’s something to be said for disarming any tension by being the first to acknowledge or crack a joke about your excessive sweating. It really can put everyone at ease to know you know they know, you know?
For Greater Confidence In Class
There are some steps you can take to cut down on wet marks, dampness, and maybe smell (which may not be as bad as you imagine). I would suggest you…
- Spend a little extra on leotards and athletic wear made with fabrics designed to whisk away sweat or even dampness. Most companies have a line of cooling dancewear. I can’t vouch for which ones work best but other readers may have suggestions.
- Stay hydrated. Drink water before and during class (they say one half to one cup for every 15-20 minutes of exercise)
- Bring a small towel with you to class and maybe some powder if you are partnering and your arms or hands are slick.
Additional tips for coping with excessive sweating (via WebMD):
- Put on a higher-strength deodorant at night and tote it in your dance bag for reapplication during the day
- Hold the spicy jalapeno, onions, or garlic which can make sweat smell worse
- Choose fabrics that are lightweight, loose-weave, or cotton when possible
- Spritz yourself with water. It may seem counterproductive but the spritz can cool you and make sweating less necessary.
- Wear darker colors rather than light ones if possible
- Wear patterned dance tops (this may not work for all classes/dance forms) as opposed to solid colors. Sweat marks show up less on patterns.
Others have suggested sage as an herbal solution for excessive sweating. The scientific evidence that sage teas or supplements will help with excessive sweating during exercise isn’t conclusive but it may be worth investigating.
Have you ever felt self-conscious about sweating in dance?
What tips or recommendations can you offer our reader or others like her?
Nichelle (owner/editor)
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I, too, sweat during a great workout, if u r needing rasp, try gloves, they helped me become more aware of my hands as well, therefore, improving my dance skills. and i wear a headband, salt in the eye makes cabaret hard to do. I might add, that a clammy feeling to skin is not always a normal sweat either, we always checked for clammy skin in trauma. I think this was a great article and a great question. good to know others agree it can be healthy. my native ancestors used sweat as a healing method.gypsy.
I sweat when I dance but I also sweat when I teach. I find myself having to wear black and dark blue a lot because the young kids I teach will come right out and ask me “Miss Maria, why is your shirt all wet?” I tell them I am working very hard, but they still seem confused. lol But when sweating really becomes a pain in grown-up/child classes. I’m working closely with other adults I try to wear dark colors so it doesn’t show up so much. I still think they know.
I also notice I sweat just out and about. I don’t buy white because they get ruined really fast. Just thought I would share my thoughts and experiences. 🙂 Thanks for the article.
Mariaaaaa..I adore you! xD
This is my problem exactly!! I just sweat all the time, no reason.. 🙁
I guess it’s in our genes 😛
Free botox anyone?? xP
Thanks to all three of you for sharing your thoughts and stories. I think it helps to not feel alone and I know a lot of dancers (even those who aren’t necessarily sweating excessively) have spent time and energy worrying or feeling self-conscious about sweat. I hope lots of people feel better after reading the post and your comments. It was a great question!