For those who suffer from excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, there are now some real solutions to the problem. Summer months can be particularly miserable for these individuals when temperatures heat up and even short -sleeved shirts or dresses are not enough to keep the problem from becoming an embarrassment.
There are many new antiperspirants on the market that promise relief from excessive sweating, but for those who truly have hyperhidrosis, no amount of deodorant offers an effective long-term solution.
Botox injections are one solution that many have found helpful the last few years. This FDA cleared use of Botox requires a series of injections in the armpit area and is typically quite effective for about 4-6 months after treatment. It typically takes about a week for the full effect to be realized. Because of the amount of Botox needed, about 15 injections per side, this can become fairly costly due to the quantity of Botox required and the necessity of repeated treatments. As a neurotoxin, it works basically the same way under the arms as it does in the face, by temporarily suspending the activity of the sweat glands just as it does the muscles in the face.
Two of the newer solutions are the most promising in helping the 1 in 5 people who have this condition. miraDry is uses electromagnetic energy to ablate the sweat glands in one or two sessions in a plastic surgeon or dermatologist’s office. The two treatments typically cost around $3,000 and offer minimal downtime, although some soreness in the area is to be expected.
We have recently begun to offer Cynosure’s entry into the market, called the PrecisionTX. This device is performed on an outpatient basis and utilizes a local anesthetic to help you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Precision TX utilizes a very tiny cannula and thermally controlled laser energy is delivered directly to the sweat glands to ablate them. There is light pressure during the procedure and some slight soreness afterward. The procedure takes about an hour and typically reduces sweating by about 90%. PrecisionTX requires only one treatment.
Whatever solution you opt for, embarrassment caused by excessive sweating may now be a thing of the past. If you would like more information about the PrecisionTX or other options to control hyperhidrosis, please call Dr. Ringler at 616.328,8800
