7 Ways to Control Sweat on Your Wedding Day

We all know that your wedding day will be full of perfect memories in the making, but there will likely be a few stress-inducing moments, too. It's one of the biggest days of your life, so that's totally understandable. Say hello to stress sweat! We've all experienced it, and your wedding day will be no exception. Add in crowds or an outdoor venue during the summer, and perspiration is inevitable. But you don't want stressors or your environment to affect how you look, feel, or smell, and the best way to help is to be prepared. With a few easy tricks, you can look calm and feel fresh no matter what. For severe sweating that you can't treat at home, you may want to consider an in-office treatment. Brides tapped plastic surgeon David Shafer, MD, for his expert advice on procedures that brides can undergo to reduce sweating.

Ahead, we're sharing seven of our favorite ways to stay cool and dry on your wedding day.

1. Refrigerate Your Cosmetics

The night before your wedding, put all your skincare products in the fridge. You can invest in a miniature makeup fridge, where you can also keep nifty beauty tools like jade rollers to de-puff, or just stick it in a beverage cooler or kitchen refrigerator. On the big day, everything from your moisturizer to your foundation will literally cool you down as you apply it; you can even toss your fragrance mist in there for a refreshing burst every time you spray. Once you or your makeup artist has applied your chilled-down cosmetics, be sure to use a mattifying powder on the parts of your face that sweat the most to avoid sweat beads from forming. A chilled setting spray should be applied last to keep everything in place.

2. Apply Liquid Antiperspirant to Problem Areas

A tried-and-true beauty product, gel, liquid, or cream antiperspirant can be used in far more areas than just your armpits. We all have trouble areas when it comes to sweat, and whether it's the back of your neck, upper lip, or palms, there's an easy solution. Simply apply an unscented, liquid antiperspirant to help keep the dampness at bay while going completely unnoticed. Keep it in your bridal clutch for easy access during the day.

3. Try a Cooling Spritz

Interested in keeping your body temperature down all day long? Try a DIY cooling mist with aromatherapeutic properties to invigorate your senses and keep you cool. Simply mix a few drops of peppermint oil into a spray bottle full of water, and use it to mist your entire body before dressing. The menthol in the oil will provide an immediate tingle (and perky scent) and offer a cooling sensation anytime a breeze passes by. Spritz some on your neck and chest anytime you feel yourself heating up.

4. Experiment With Different Products

When it comes to keeping cool on your wedding day, it's okay to break the rules. Look to products with cooling properties, and apply them on your feet, down the middle of your back, or on your neck, even if that's not where they were made to go. Products designed to alleviate bikini razor burn and cooling makeup setting sprays will work great to keep skin fresh anywhere on your body. Look for ingredients like aloe vera (after-sun gel, for example), menthol, and cucumber.

5. Use a Chafing Powder

Anywhere your skin touches and potentially rubs can be a problem when perspiration enters into the mix. The last thing you want is an uncomfortable rash on your wedding day! But don't sweat it—a chafing powder can help. Find one that applies as a cream and dries to a cooling powder. A powder that's talc and aluminum-free is safe to use on even the most sensitive areas, like your inner thighs or your chest. For an inexpensive solution, baby powder works great (just make sure it's talc-free).

6. Consider Getting Botox

Afraid that your nerves will get the best of you on your big day? Say no more. Botox injections can be used to combat hyperhidrosis, a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating. "The fastest and most effective treatment is Botox injections into the armpits," Shafer says. "Botox is also effective for sweat on the hands, feet, scalp, or anywhere else that a patient has excess sweating," he says. If you're looking for a solution that will deliver quick and reliable results with minimal side effects, then Botox may be the route for you. Besides the added benefit of not having to worry about reapplying deodorant or antiperspirant throughout your wedding day, you can officially say goodbye to unsightly sweat stains. "With Botox, the results are apparent in three to five days and last three to five months, so most patients have the treatment two to three times each year, especially if they are already coming to the office for other injections anyway," Shafer says. 

7. Try In-Office Treatments

MiraDry is an in-office treatment to consider, especially if you're looking for a sense of permanency. "This is an energy-based device, which destroys the sweat glands. Usually, one or two treatments are required, and there is some recovery for swelling and discomfort. However, the results are permanent," Shafer says. Ultimately, it's best to consult your plastic surgeon to see what procedure is best for you. If you're looking to end sweating for good, then MiraDry is a great non-surgical option to consider—just be aware that there will be swelling and, potentially, bruising.