Cosmetic treatments for a medical condition

Hyperhidrosis is a disorder of excessive sweating that can have a profound effect on a person’s quality of life.

While hyperhidrosis may be generalised and involve the entire body, focal hyperhidrosis most commonly affects the axillae (armpits), feet and hands.

The cause of hyperhidrosis is poorly understood.

Did you know that botox injections — yes the same ones used to relax frowns — can be used to reduce excessive sweating?

They work by blocking the nerve fibres that innervate the sweat glands.

Treatments generally last at least nine months and, like your cosmetic injections, tend to last longer with each treatment.

Another cosmetic treatment often used to treat excessive sweating is ultherapy, a popular skin-tightening treatment.

In fact hyperhidrosis is one of Ulthera’s FDA approved treatments.

Ultrasound waves are delivered through the skin to the sweat glands to reduce their activity.

While two treatments are recommended, studies — ongoing for two years now — indicate that their effect may be permanent.

The objective of both of these treatments is to reduce sweating to physiologically normal levels which can be tolerated.

Anhidrosis (no sweat at all) is not the target.

If you suffer from this condition, come and see us at the Bradford Clinic, Suite 2, Clifford Place, 25 Isabel St, to discuss treatments before summer arrives.