Hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating
Hyperhidrosis is a common and often embarrassing problem for many people where overactive sweat glands cause excessive sweating not only when they are hot and active but may also do so when cool and at rest.
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Excessive sweating is treated by administering an injection of the protein botulinum toxin to the overactive sweat glands. The protein acts by blocking excess nerve signals to the sweat glands, thus reducing the amount of sweat the body releases.
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The treatment can make such a huge difference to your self- confidence you’ll wonder how you’ve lived without it for so long.
Hyperhidrosis is a relatively common condition that effects both men and women, starting at any age.
The condition does not pose a threat to health but can be embarrassing and distressing, interfering with normal life.
If your sweating begins to interfere with your quality of life than there is an effective way to treat the Hyperhidrosis.
During and after the treatment
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The glands which produce sweat are supplied by the same type of nerve ending that supplies muscles in the face which cause wrinkles. Botox is a protein produced by the clostridium botulinum bacteria, and is the most well known product for treating wrinkles in the world, and it is extremely effective when used for sweating.
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Using a tiny needle, small quantities of protein are injected into the areas producing excessive sweat e.g. the underarms. The product prevents the nerve signal reaching the sweat gland and therefore stops the gland producing sweat. Several injections are spread out across the area so that as many sweat glands as possible are blocked.
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Prior to the treatment, the underarm area is cleaned, dried and lightly dusted with powder to identify the most active areas. Botox is then injected in approximately 25 different points in small amounts to ensure good coverage. We recommend appropriate dressing when you come for treatment which allows adequate exposure to your underarms.
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The treatment takes about 30 minutes to perform. You should notice a significant reduction in sweating within a couple of weeks and the effects usually last from between seven to ten months. After this you can choose to have more injections to maintain the benefit.
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You can carry on with your normal life immediately after treatment, although we advise avoiding exercise and alcohol for six hours. We recommend appropriate dressing when you come for treatment which allows exposure to your underarms.
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Contraindications and Side Effects
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Treatment is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women and those with muscle-weakening conditions such as myasthenia gravis. Most other people are suitable for treatment.
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There may be some temporary after-effects of the injections. Most commonly these are bruising, tenderness, swelling, redness and occasionally a headache or mild flu-like symptoms. The latter two may last two to three days, the others usually resolve within a couple of hours. Very occasionally the treatment may not work.
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Aftercare advice
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There may be some temporary after-effects of the injections. Most commonly these are bruising, tenderness, swelling, redness and occasionally a headache or mild flu-like symptoms. The latter two may last two to three days, the others usually resolve within a couple of hours. Very occasionally, the treatment may not work.
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For 24 hours after the injections you should avoid heavy exercise and alcohol as these can increase blood flow and may dilute the effect. You should also avoid rubbing the area or applying pressure.
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You should notice a significant reduction in sweating within a couple of weeks and the effects last up to ten months and after this you can choose to have more injections to maintain the benefit.
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