[Crowded Train Survey] The No.1 Situation for Summer Underarm Sweat and Odor Concerns is 'Commute Rush' at 78.3% | Reality of Morning Odor Countermeasures Revealed by a 300-Person Survey

[Conclusion] Key Points of the Survey

In conclusion, antiperspirants are often insufficient as a countermeasure against sweat on crowded trains, and medical treatment is effective for those with stress-induced sweating. Applying antiperspirant the night before is effective in reducing underarm sweat in the morning, but if the effect is limited, medical approaches such as Botox injections or miraDry are recommended. There is a fundamental difference: antiperspirants offer temporary sweat suppression, while hyperhidrosis treatments directly approach the sweat glands themselves.

- 78.3% of respondents said they worry about underarm sweat and body odor on crowded trains during the commute rush.

- 42.7% of people use antiperspirants daily but do not feel they are effective.

- 87.0% of those aware that they sweat underarms when nervous are unsatisfied with their countermeasures.

Glossary of Terms

■ What is Psychological Sweating (Stress-Induced Sweating)?

Psychological sweating is a sweating phenomenon triggered by mental factors such as nervousness and stress. It mainly appears on the palms, soles of the feet, and underarms, and is considered to be caused by excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Unlike normal sweating for body temperature regulation, it is characterized by being influenced by one's psychological state.

■ What is miraDry?

miraDry is a treatment for hyperhidrosis and osmidrosis that uses microwaves to destroy sweat glands. It can simultaneously reduce sweat and odor by destroying sweat glands (eccrine and apocrine glands) with heat without cutting the skin. It is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved treatment, and since sweat glands, once destroyed, do not regenerate, long-term effects can be expected.

■ What is Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis?

Primary axillary hyperhidrosis is a condition in which excessive sweating occurs under the arms despite the absence of an obvious underlying disease. It is said that about 5.75% of the population in Japan suffers from it, and it is recognized as a disease that can be treated with insurance coverage.

Comparison of Underarm Sweat Countermeasures (Antiperspirant, Botox, miraDry)

Comparison Item / Antiperspirant / Botox Injection / miraDry

Duration of Effect / A few hours to 1 day / 4 to 9 months / Semi-permanent

Estimated Cost / 500-2,000 yen/month / 50,000-100,000 yen/session / 300,000-400,000 yen (1 session)

Time until Effect Appears / Immediate / 2-3 days later / Immediately to 1 week later

Sweat Reduction Rate / About 20-30% / 70-80% / 70-80%

Need for Repeated Treatments / Daily use / 1-2 times a year / Basically once

*These figures are based on the clinic supervising physician's track record of over 2,000 osmidrosis treatments. Effects vary among individuals.

Isee Clinic (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and Omiya branches), operated by Tetsuyukai Medical Corporation, conducted an 'Awareness Survey on Summer Underarm Sweat and Body Odor' targeting 300 men and women in their 20s to 50s nationwide. This survey clarifies the reality of sweat and body odor concerns and countermeasures in daily life, such as on crowded trains, and explains effective countermeasures from a dermatologist's perspective.

Survey Background

Interest in underarm sweat and body odor on crowded trains during the commute rush increases from May when temperatures begin to rise. Especially for business people working in urban areas, sweat and odor problems are major stress factors from the perspective of consideration for others. Since consultations regarding sweat and odor at our clinic spike from this time every year, we conducted this survey to understand in what specific situations people are struggling and what countermeasures they are taking.

Survey Overview

Target Respondents: Men and women in their 20s to 50s nationwide who use public transportation to commute to work or school

Survey Period: May 1 to May 10, 2026

Survey Method: Internet survey

Number of Respondents: 300

Survey Results

[Survey Result] Approximately 80% worry most about underarm sweat and body odor on 'crowded trains during commute rush'

Question: In what situation are you most concerned about underarm sweat and body odor during the summer?

Crowded trains during the commute rush account for an overwhelming majority, indicating that the close proximity to others in an enclosed space is a psychological pressure. Especially in summer, as clothing becomes thinner, the anxiety that sweat stains and odors easily transmit to others is thought to intensify.

[Survey Result] OTC antiperspirants/deodorants are the most common at 67.0%, but over 40% are dissatisfied with the effect

Question: What are you currently doing as a countermeasure against underarm sweat during your commute? (Most emphasized from multiple answers allowed)

A large majority relies on over-the-counter antiperspirants, but as will become clear in subsequent questions, less than half are satisfied with their effects. The reality that people continue daily countermeasures without a fundamental solution has been highlighted.

[Survey Result] 42.7% of antiperspirant users say they 'do not feel any effect'

Question: Are you satisfied with the effect of the antiperspirant you are currently using?

Combining 'do not feel much effect' and 'do not feel any effect at all' reaches 42.7%, showing that there are many cases where OTC products cannot fully cope. It suggests that those with a tendency toward hyperhidrosis, in particular, should consider a medical approach.