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Armpit Hyperhidrosis

Armpit Hyperhidrosis

Underarm excessive sweating, also called axillary or armpit hyperhidrosis, is a condition that can cause discomfort and embarrassment for many individuals. Sweating is a normal bodily function that controls temperature, but around 1% of the population experience excessive sweating in the armpit area, and it can also affect the hands, feet, and face. Armpit injections for sweating can be really effective if you’re troubled by hyperhidrosis.

Many people feel embarrassed about sweat marks appearing in their clothing (e.g. when commuting, or in a meeting), and it can really affect confidence – sometimes even leading to social isolation. If your work requires you to be in smart attire, you may find yourself constantly worrying about your underarm areas, and at Essex Private Doctors, we provide expert treatment in the form of botulinum toxin injections for armpit hyperhidrosis.

Armpit Injections for Sweating

If you’re suffering from excessive sweating, you’re likely to already be using an antiperspirant, but did you know that the type of antiperspirant and how you use it is also important?

It’s possible to get clinical strength antiperspirants over the counter, and remember that antiperspirants slow sweat production, whilst deodorants only help to reduce body odour.

Antiperspirant works by forming temporary plugs in the sweat ducts, and this triggers a reduction in the production of sweat. You should apply the antiperspirant to completely clean and dry skin, and you may need to remove some body hair to get better skin contact.

If you’re hot from the shower, try moving to a cool room before applying the antiperspirant, and using it at night-time can also help reduce sweat production the day.

If you’ve tried strong antiperspirants and are still troubled by your sweating, we can help.

Underarm botulinum toxin injections are incredibly effective at reducing sweating, and the results can last for several months and will certainly get you through a summer season.

The injections work by blocking the release of a neurotransmitter – acetylcholine – from nerve endings, which would normally trigger the sweat glands to release sweat. The injections only work in the area where they are injected, and after several months, the nerve endings ‘regenerate’ and sweating returns.

The procedure takes around 45 minutes and a little prep is needed beforehand. We ask that you don’t use antiperspirants in the 48 hours prior to the procedure (because we need to visualise where your sweat glands are), and please shave your armpits. Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin in the 24 hours prior to the procedure, as these may encourage bleeding.

During the procedure, you’ll lie on your back with your arm raised over your head. To visualise where the highest concentration of sweat glands are, iodine and starch powder is applied to the armpit areas.

The skin is then cleaned, and the botulinum toxin is administered via several tiny injections. It may sting a little but is not painful.

According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, botulinum toxin injections typically reduce armpit sweating by 82-87%.

You can expect the injections to be effective for at least four months, but many people experience the effect lasting much longer, sometimes up to a year.

The injections start to take effect after 3 or 4 days and will be fully active after 2 weeks.

No. The armpits are only responsible for 2% of the entire body’s sweat production, and it will not impact on your body’s ability to control its temperature. In very rare cases, people may experience more sweating in another body area.

The procedure is very safe and can be repeated several times over the years.

Treatment at our clinic is carried out by highly experienced doctors and costs £550 for both armpits.