Is It Normal Not To Sweat That Much? - Refinery29

Skip navigation!ADVERTISEMENTStory from BodyADVERTISEMENTIs It Normal Not To Sweat That Much?Kimberly Truong20 June 2018, 15:50 photographed by Andi Elloway; modeled by Chantell Jackson; produced by Megan Madden.Sweating is a totally normal, healthy bodily function that helps you cool down — even if you might be embarrassed because you think you sweat too much. But what happens if you're not sweating as much as you think you should?Before you start worrying that there's something dreadfully wrong with you, rest assured that the same way our bodies all look different, they all function differently, too. And some people might just genetically sweat more or less than others.But if you are a little worried, Stacy Smith, MD, a dermatologist at the California Dermatology and Clinical Research Institute, says that there may be a few reasons some people are less prone to sweating.AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT"The degree of fitness makes a big difference, in that if you are in good physical condition, you will sweat more quickly and more profusely," he says.That's not to necessarily say that sweating less means you're in bad shape. Rather, it just means that the more you exercise, the more active your sweat glands are likely to be in general.However, if you barely sweat at all when you're working out strenuously, that can be an indication of a bigger problem. In general, Dr. Smith says that sweating is a way to regulate and control your body temperature.“

Sweating is an important thing — you need to sweat and if you’re trying to decrease sweating, you need to be careful.

Stacy Smith, MD”"If you’re not controlling your temperature, you’re going to feel hot, flushed, faint and tire quickly with modest amounts of exertions, so if that’s happening to you, you’re probably not sweating enough," he says.So, if you aren't sweating, your body isn't able to cool itself, which is a sign of a condition called anhidrosis, or hypohidrosis. According to MayoClinic, anhidrosis can be hard to diagnose, and can be caused by certain rare inherited conditions (such as Fabry's disease) or skin damage that clogs the pores of your skin. Anhidrosis is a problem because, as Dr. Smith says, it can cause your body to overheat and cause heatstroke, but it's a pretty rare condition.That being said, not getting super sweaty doesn't always mean that you do have anhidrosis. After all, everyone sweats at different rates. So can you tell if you're sweating enough?"There’s not really a measurement of sweating, but if you’re able to undertake an activity without becoming excessively flushed, lightheaded, or quickly tired, then you’re probably sweating enough," Dr. Smith says. If, however, you're working out without sweating much at all, or you notice that you're sweating less than usual, that's a good time to check in with your doctor."Sweating is an important thing — you need to sweat and if you’re trying to decrease sweating, you need to be careful," Dr. Smith says.AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT BodyIf You’re Itchy & Uncomfortable It Might Be Bacterial Vagin...If you’ve ever experienced bacterial vaginosis, otherwise referred to as BV, you’ll know how uncomfortable it is. But you’ll also know, iby Tanyel MustafaHomepageThe News About Tampons Is Scary, Let Us Break It DownThe safety of tampons has been called into question twice in the last year, and naturally we’re all concerned. As of May 2025, the Pesticide Action Nby Tanyel MustafaWellnessSkinnyTok Isn’t A Trend — It’s The Latest Iteration o...Trigger warning: This article discusses disordered eating in a way that some readers may find distressing. At 30, I’d hoped diet culture and fatphobia weby Chloe LawsAdvertisementADVERTISEMENTReproductive HealthHow The Real Housewives Helped Me Through My Own Black Mat...Content warning: the following story contains details of pregnancy loss, surgery, the Black maternal health crisis and fertility struggles At her Los Angelby L'Oréal BlackettUnbotheredAn Endometriosis Diagnosis Can Take Up To 9 Years — For Black Wom...Despite being one of the most common gynaecological disorders in women of reproductive age, the statistics regarding endometriosis are incredibly bleak. Itby Carly Lewis-OduntanTaking CareEndometriosis Could Be Linked To Trauma, ActuallyTrigger warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault and trauma. I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2011, after years of investigationsby Lucia Osborne-Cro...Taking Care10 Women On Getting A HPV Diagnosis After Their First Cervical Ca...by Tanyel MustafaTaking CareIf Your Period Seems Watery, This Might Be WhyLet’s face it: Periods can be weird and, right now, under lockdown, there’s a chance yours is being weirder than normal. At various times they mighby Erika W. SmithHealth CareTrump’s Victory Poses A Very Real Threat To Abortion Access In Th...Kamala Harris won’t be the first woman president of the US. The US election result that women — especially Black women and women of colour — around tby Tanyel MustafaBodyHow To Tell If You Have A Yeast Infection & Get Rid Of ItYeast infections are the most common type of vaginal infection and up to three out of four people with vaginas will get a yeast infectiby Cory StiegMy Period“Being Told I’m Infertile Broke Me”: 3 Women On Primary Ovarian I...by Tanyel MustafaMy Period5 Women On The Effect Of Having A Good First Periodby Elizabeth GulinoAdvertisementADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENT