Most people would refer to hyperhidrosis more commonly as “excessive sweating”. “Hidrosis” means sweating and “hyper” means more.

It’s perfectly normal to sweat – indeed, our bodies sweat in order regulate temperate. Our sweat helps to cool us down. Some of us however sweat a little too much which may mean you have hyperhidrosis. The problem can affect us all over our bodies or in key areas where there are more sweat glands such as the armpits, hands, face, and feet. At best, it can be uncomfortable and annoying but at it’s worst it’s embarrassing and socially isolating.

The causes for hyperhidrosis aren’t fully understood yet by doctors. When people develop excessive sweating at varying stages of their life they typically have normal sweat glands but their sympathetic response is higher than the average. It’s this response which leads to overproduction and sweat for reasons we’re not fully clear of.

Studies show that hyperhidrosis may affect as many as between 3-5% of the population.

Two types of hyperhidrosis exist:

Primary hyperhidrosis: usually inherited and so check with your family to see if they suffer from it

Secondary hyperhidrosis: caused by behaviours (e.g. alcoholism), responses (e.g. neurologic responses such as anxiety), a condition (e.g. gout, obesity, menpause), or perhaps medications

Facial Hyperhidrosis/Blushing—flushing and sweating of the face
Axillary hyperhidrosis—excessive underarm sweating
Palmar hyperhidrosis—excessive sweating of the hands
Pedal Hyperhidrosis—excessive feet sweating. Sweating on the hands can be linked to feet sweating.

The area that you are treating should be shaved and the client should abstain from using any antiperspirants or deodorants for 24 hours prior to the treatment

When we sweat a chemical message is sent from the brain to the sweat glands telling them to ‘turn on’ the sweat. Botulinum toxin is used in a very similar way to how it is used to treat wrinkles. The Botulinum toxin effectively blocks the chemical message from the brain to the sweat glands so that the message isn’t received turning on the sweat. Over time, the nerve endings at the sweat glands start to grow back so that from perhaps the 4th month some very mild sweating will return. As more and more nerve endings grow back so the sweating will start to increase again. Ultimately, for up to a year Botulinum toxin injections can stop the sweat glands from receiving the message to sweat more. Once all the nerve endings have regrown, re-treatment will be required to produce the same effect.

To treat underarm sweating first the glands need to be found. A tiny injection is all that’s required in each gland to stop its activity for approxiamtely months. Most people have quite a few glands, so expect 10 to 30 shallow injections to really nail the problem. Thankfully your armpits are not a very sensitive area, and the injections are as small as they come so the pain is minimal.

Yes, we also offer botox injections for sweaty hands, or palmar hyperhidrosis. Results last for several months.

• Apply anti-antiperspirant as often and as regular as you can (remember antiperspirant is different to body spray!)
• Drink lots of water – aim for 2 litres per day
• Exercise regularly (although exercise makes you sweat, it will have a positive effect on stress & anxiety which will in the longer term improve your sweating when you’re not busy exercising!)
• Keep a change of clothes handy especially for when doing presentations or attending social situations
• Easier said than done but try to avoid stressful situations that you don’t need
• Eat healthily to keep your weight under control – overweight people tend to sweat more
• Wearing black, white or patterned clothing can minimise the signs of sweating– it tends to be more visible on plain colours
• Remember to use antiperspirant rather than body sprays or deodorants – look for extra strong formula or long-lasting claims

The armpits are not an overly sensitive area so most patients report very little discomfort. Some small amounts of discomfort may be experienced but our medical practitioners are all very sensitive to your needs and how to deliver as comfortable an experience as possible.

No, you must wait until 24 hours after your treatment before you can go running or do any other form of strenuous exercise.

Yes you can. If you are having Botox® treatment THEN another treatment, you must leave it 48 hours. If you had another treatment and then you wanted Botox®, you would have to wait 2 weeks before having your Botox treatment.

For the following 24 hours after you receive treatment, you must not drink alcohol. After 24 hours, it is fine to drink alcohol.

You should avoid heat for 24 hours. This includes the sun, sunbeds and hot baths and showers.

Yes, there is no problem with flying after having Botox® treatment.

You need to wait 12 weeks between full treatment doses.

The effects of anti wrinkle treatment are not seen immediately. You should start to notice a difference about 3-7 days after your appointment and the treatment will be at its maximum at day 14.

Not necessarily. Many people do not need to come back in for a follow-up appointment. It is a personal choice, not a clinical necessity. You’re welcome to book back in to be seen within the 2 weeks after your initial treatment.