WHAT IS HYPERHYDROSIS?

Hyperhydrosis is the medical term used to describe excess sweating. This most commonly occurs in the axilla (armpit), hands, face and feet. It is caused primarily by over stimulation of the nervous system resulting in signals being sent to the affected glands to release sweat. Triggers for this include anxiety, stress, food and emotion. People who suffer this condition find themselves being unable to wear modern synthetic fabrics and having to change their clothes repeatedly throughout the day. For businessmen, hyperhydrosis at times of deal making can be interpreted as having something to hide, making the condition not only embarrassing but costly. New treatments include Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS) which no longer sees the terrible scars created in old surgical techniques. However ETS still has the risk of worsening sweating in another area as a compensatory effect.

 

WHAT IS WRINKLE RELAXER THERAPY FOR HYPERHYDROSIS?

Wrinkle relaxer products can work superficially on the sweat glands to reduce sweating and are particularly good for the axilla (underarms) and hands, but are not permanent. They are fast, simple and effective. They have also become the treatment of choice for most patients with results lasting on average from 6 to 9 months.

WHAT IS SUPERFICIAL LIPOSUCTION?

Recent advances have lead to a new effective procedure for the 1% of the population who suffer axillary hyperhydrosis - a superficial liposuction. This technique involves using a fine suction cannula to disrupt and remove the sweat glands in the axillary area. These cannulas are the same ones used in liposuction, however liposuction is performed at a deeper layer. A bag of saline mixed with local anaesthetic makes the treatment virtually pain free.

IS SUPERFICIAL LIPOSCULPTURE SAFE?

Over the last 10 years this technique has been developed to become one of the safest alternative operations for axillary hyperhydrosis. It does not suffer compensatory sweating like in ETS. Risks are minimal and can include small areas of skin loss leading to minimal scarring, temporary bruising, swelling and local discomfort. Infection risks are minimal. The incised sites are extremely small, recovery is fast and the satisfaction rate is high.

IS THE TREATMENT EFFECTIVE AND WILL THE RESULTS LAST?

It is very difficult to remove all the sweat glands from an area, however this procedure targets 90 to 95% of those in the axilla. The residual glands can be successfully controlled by deoderants. Results for most patients have been long term i.e. greater than 5 years. Rarely a patient may have very strong glands which may require a further liposuction treatment. It is extremely rare for superficial liposculpture to fail and if so the patient would require ETS.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROCEDURE?

Superficial liposculpture for axillary hyperhydrosis is a very affordable procedure for most people and is especially cost effective alternative.