Sweating

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Normal sweating helps the body control temperature by sweat evaporating on the skin’s surface to cool it down. It’s normal to sweat during everyday activities such as exercise, but in some people, sweating can be excessive and uncontrolled. Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for sweating in excess of what is normally expected. Excessive sweating can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing.

About the condition

Hyperhidrosis is relatively common, with an estimate that 3% of the population has the condition, and it appears to be a particular problem for adults between 18-54 years of age. There seems to be an inherited tendency to this condition and it can occur in various parts of the body, but especially the underarms, hands and feet. Treatments that can block the production of sweat can effectively control Hyperhidrosis.

Treatment options

The main area of excessive sweating that is treated is the underarm and there are really 4 levels of treatment for Underarm Hyperhidrosis:

Antiperspirant: The first line of treatment is using a strong antiperspirant. We would recommend trying ‘No More sweat’ which contains 15% Aluminium Chloride or a ‘Men’s Sport’ brand. Roll on is more effective than an aerosol. If an antiperspirant works then this can be a very cost effective option but it doesn’t work for everyone and can often cause skin irritation.
Injections: The same product used in anti-wrinkle injections can block the chemical signal in the body that triggers sweating. Is very effective in controlling Hyperhidrosis but is temporary lasting about 6-12 months.
Heat Devices: Two types of devices have been found to be effective in destroying sweat glands through heat, Radiofrequency Needling devices like the INFINI and a Microwave device called the MIRADRY. Both can give long term permanent improvement but results do vary. We find with a series of 4 INFINI treatments about 80% of our patients get more than a 50% reduction in sweating.
Surgery: Surgical removal of sweat glands (Curettage) or cutting of the nerve supply to sweat glands (Sympathectomy) can be very effective but are rarely performed in current days because of potential complications and the great results from non-surgical treatments. Surgery for excess sweating is regarded as an extreme last resort.

How it works

The main area of excessive sweating that is treated is the underarm and there are really 4 levels of treatment for Underarm Hyperhidrosis:

Antiperspirant: The first line of treatment is the strong antiperspirant DRICLOR. This can be purchased at pharmacies and if it works is very cost effective but it doesn’t work for everyone and can often cause skin irritation.
Injections: The same product used in anti-wrinkle injections can block the chemical signal in the body that triggers sweating. Is very effective in controlling Hyperhidrosis but is temporary lasting about 6-12 months.
Heat Devices: Two types of devices have been found to be effective in destroying sweat glands through heat, Radiofrequency devices like the INFINI and a microwave device called the MIRADRY. Both give long term permanent results but are expensive.
Surgery: Surgical removal of sweat glands (Curettage) or cutting of the nerve supply to sweat glands (Sympathectomy) can be very effective but are rarely performed in current days because of potential complications and the great results from non-surgical treatments. Surgery for excess sweating is regarded as an extreme last resort.

Benefits

By controlling excessive underarm sweating patients can avoid the embarrassment of profuse sweating and the need to have multiple clothing changes each day as well as the need to avoid certain clothes such as white shirts and the need for frequent showers. Treating underarm sweating can also help to reduce underarm odour.

FAQs

Does treating underarm sweating affect the rest of the body?

Your body does need sweat glands to allow the body to cool but only about 2% of the body’s sweat glands are in the underarm. With the treatment of underarm sweating you will continue to sweat normally elsewhere.
How does the injection treatment work?

The same compound used to treat wrinkles has been found to be very effective in stopping excess sweating. The product blocks the release of the chemical signal that triggers sweating. It is a very simple procedure that takes about 15 minutes and involves a series of tiny injections into the skin. There is no downtime and you can resume normal activity immediately after. The main drawback is that it is fairly expensive and temporary. Most people find improvement for 6-12 months (average 7.5 months).
How good are the results with INFINI?

It can achieve permanent improvement, but results can be variable. Typically three treatments are needed at 4-week intervals to achieve about an 80% reduction in sweating. The INFINI procedure takes about 30 minutes but requires topical anaesthetic cream 60 minutes before the procedure.
How much does treatment cost?

Treatment cost for Excess Sweating of the underarms is $1000 for microinjections and $880 for each INFINI treatment.
What about treating other areas of excess sweating?

We focus and have great experience in managing the most common problem of excessive underarm sweating. Other areas of excessive sweating such as the hands and feet can be treated but different options need to be considered, such as iontophoresis, as injections are often found to be too painful and the heat devices are not approved for use in these areas.

Preparation

When treating the underarms any antiperspirant will need to be removed that day. Treatment cannot be performed on any broken or infected skin. If having other treatments such as laser hair removal to underarm hair leave a space of at least 1 week before and 1 week after this treatment.

Aftercare

There is no downtime after treatment, and you can continue your normal daily activities immediately afterwards. With the INFINI treatment, you may experience slight discomfort, similar to mild sunburn, for a couple of days.

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