Solutions For Excessive Sweating (Hyperhydrosis)

Hyperhydrosis or excessive sweating is one of the few conditions that can truly be described as both a medical and cosmetic problem. People who sweat excessively often get caught in a vicious cycle. They become anxious that their sweat is showing and the anxiety makes them sweat even more.

Whilst this poses an obvious aesthetic problem, their excessive sweating can have social, psychological and professional implications too.

Patients we have seen here at AVID Aesthetics are usually between the ages of 18 and 60 and the problem has proven to impact on many aspects of their life from forming intimate relationships to making career choices.

What is Hyperhydrosis?

Hyperhydrosis is the excessive production of sweat. Sweating is a natural way that the body loses heat in order to regulate the core temperature. As a result we sweat more in humid and warmer weather. The sweat glands of the body are concentrated in certain places, resulting in more pronounced sweating in these areas. Excessive sweating affecting the underarms and the palms and soles is a common problem which can cause significant social and psychological issues for those affected, including staining of clothes, poor self esteem and sometimes even social avoidance.

How Can Axillary Hyperhydrosis Be Managed?

Hyperhydrosis is a distressing condition and sufferers have usually tried a variety of modalities. Apart from strong antiperspirants, in the past the only option was medication that had limited effect or surgery, which could have unpleasant side effects.

Here at AVID Aesthetics Dr Komal Vadi can solve this problem for you using Botulinum Therapy. This works by temporarily blocking the nerve impulses from stimulating the sweat glands in the treated area. When the sweat glands do not receive chemical signals, the excessive sweating stops.

What does the treatment involve?

Treatment is simple and safe if carried out by an experienced clinician. Patients are advised to shave their armpits two to three days prior to the procedure. On the day of treatment, Dr Komal Vadi will identify the worst affected areas by performing an iodine starch test. The muscle relaxing agent is then injected in a grid like pattern over the affected area. The treatment can take a few minutes and most normal daily activities can continue immediately after treatment. No anaesthetic is needed as the discomfort is only mild. The protein does not affect any other part of the nervous system and all functions of sensation remain intact. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, is relatively painless, and the effects of the treatment last 8-12 months.

How Quickly Will The Results Be Experienced?

You should notice some change for the better within a week of your treatment, however, the full effects can take as long as 14-21 days. Clinical trials have proven to reduce sweat production by more than 90% within 2 weeks of treatment.

How Long Does It Last?

The reduction in sweating usually lasts up to 8-12 months and can be repeated when needed.

Patients who have been treated here describe it as life changing. They are no longer restricted with what they wear. They can now socialise with their friends and no longer need to hide embarrassing sweat spots under their armpits which may have been limiting their arm movements and pose.

Patients have also noticed that treatment with Botulinum therapy shows marked improvement of unpleasant body odour by reducing the moist environment, which is favourable for bacterial overgrowth.

If you suffer from severe underarm sweating or know of anyone who would benefit from our help, please book in for a consultation with Dr Komal Vadi by contacting us on 0208 777 4343 to answer your questions and discuss your options.