How is a perspiration reduction procedure performed?
There are various treatments that reduce perspiration, ranging from medications and prescription antiperspirant to surgical procedures that block or disable sweat glands. Your surgeon will recommend you explore more conservative, non-surgical options before considering surgery. Surgery should be a last resort as your surgeon will need to remove or cut the spinal nerves that control sweating. Many patients have found botulinum toxin injections and laser therapy to be effective, minimally invasive, and long-lasting treatments.
What are my perspiration reduction options?
Below are some methods for treating hyperhidrosis:
Prescription Antiperspirant
Prescription antiperspirants can reduce sweating and help alleviate some of the more pervasive issues.
Oral Medications
There are a few oral medications that also help reduce sweating and alleviate some of the more pervasive issues.
Ionrophoresis
Iontophoresis is a device that uses water to pass electrical currents through the skin and blocks the sweat production in treated areas. You can buy this device or go to a surgeon’s office for this treatment. Treatment includes immersing your foot or hand in shallow water trays for twenty to forty minutes while the device sends a mild current through the water. You’ll repeat this process every two to three days for ten sessions. After your initial treatment regime, you will repeat the treatment once a week to every other week to maintain your results.
Botulinum Toxin Injections
Botulinum toxin injections, the most common treatment for excessive underarm sweating, block the nerves which control the sweat glands. Your aesthetic plastic surgeon may make anywhere from twenty to fifty injections to treat underarm sweat. You can also get injections to treat your hands, face and feet.
Axillary Shaving
Axillary shaving is a surgical procedure that involves the use of an arthroscopic shaver (a long, thin cannula-like tube with a blade at end). Your surgeon will run the shaver underneath your skin to "shave away" sweat glands. This procedure requires one incision in each armpit, is permanent, and will not disrupt hair glands.
Laser Ablation
Laser ablation disables the axillary sweat glands with heat produced from a laser cannula directly underneath the skin. This surgical procedure is done under local anesthesia with two small incisions in each armpit. This is usually permanent, but some of the hair in your armpits may stop growing.
Microwave Technology
Microwave technology is a newer, effective noninvasive treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis and underarm odor. A handheld device suctions the skin to bring the glands closer to the microwave energy emitted. This treatment is not painful and typically takes about one hour to complete, including preparation. You will need two to three treatments for maximum results.
What are the brand names for perspiration reduction treatments?
Here are some brands you might hear mentioned when discussing perspiration reduction options:
Prescription Antiperspirant (containing aluminum chloride)
- Drysol
- Xerac
Oral Medications (anticholinergics)
- Robinul
- Ditropan
Botulinum Toxin Injections
- Botox
- Dysport
- Xeomin
Laser Ablation
- VaserShape
- Cellulaze
- SlimLipo
Microwave Technology
- MiraDry