Hyperhidrosis may be defined as sweating beyond a level required to maintain normal body temperature. This condition can be genetic or prompted by a variety of medications and drugs.

Excessive sweating may interfere with certain professions. For example, palmar hyperhidrosis (sweating on the palms) may preclude art-work, working with electrical components, or playing certain musical instruments. In addition, hyperhidrosis may cause excessive changes of clothing due to sweat stains.

The Consultation

The Surgeon will help the patient to reach a decision re: treatment. The options are:

1- miraDry

miraDry is an easy treatment that can be completed in a physician’s office in as little as one hour.

Local anaesthesia is administered to the underarms prior to the treatment for patient comfort. Most patients return to regular activity (like returning to work) immediately. Exercise is typically resumed within several days. You may experience swelling, numbness, bruising, and sensitivity in the underarm area for several days after treatment.

2 – Armpit skin resection and gland debulking, also known as open adenectomy:

This is a surgical procedure that is often done under local anaesthetic and sedation. It involves the removal of an ellipse of skin and sweat gland from the armpit. It produces a 4cm scar in the hair bearing skin in the axilla and provides a significantly long-lasting result.

3 – Antiwrinkle Injections:

Sweat glands require a nerve impulse to activate. Without this stimulation, they won’t secrete. By applying antiwrinkle injections to problem areas such as underarms, hands and feet, the related nerve impulse is temporarily relaxed and prevented from reaching the sweat gland. This stops sweat production in the treated area. Repeat treatment is usually recommended within 3-6 months. An injection into the armpits and hands has been shown to be very successful. Good results may be obtained after a single injection session and last up to six months. The effect of the injection may take up to 21 days to work. In rare cases, some patients may need a repeat injection within four weeks if there has been little response.

After Treatment

The patient will be going home with minimal discomfort. A simple analgesic will be sufficient to control the pain.

Do antiwrinkle injections hurt?

A small disposable syringe with a micro needle is used. When treating the armpits, most patients find the injections only cause mild, temporary discomfort. Local anaesthesia is required for the hand and feet treatments.

How will the area look after treatment?

Immediately after the injections there may be mild swelling which usually subsides within 24-48 hours. Application of cold (i.e. ice pack) for a few hours after treatment will help reduce any swelling.

Side effects of this treatment are rare. The most common of these are slight discomfort, redness, swelling and mild bruising, all of which usually last between 24 and 48 hours. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, if you suffer from neurologic conditions (myasthenia gravis, myopathies), or if you are taking medications like Ca Blockers or Quinolone Antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, etc.), the treatment is not recommended.

How many treatments will I need?

Repeat treatments are usually needed every 3-4 months over a twelve-month period.

The treatment involves the use of anti-wrinkle injections to temporarily block the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands do not receive these signals, the production of excessive sweat in the treated area is significantly reduced. This is a common and effective approach for managing primary focal hyperhidrosis.

The most common area treated at our Glebe clinic is the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis). However, this treatment can also be applied to other areas where excessive sweating is a concern, such as the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. During your consultation, your practitioner will determine the most appropriate treatment sites for your specific needs.

The procedure is relatively quick, usually taking about 20 to 30 minutes. A series of small injections are administered just under the skin in the affected area. While the needles used are very fine, some patients may experience mild discomfort. To assist with this, a topical anaesthetic or cooling techniques can be applied prior to the injections.

Results are not immediate, as it takes time for the treatment to block the nerve signals. Most patients begin to notice a significant reduction in sweat production within 4 to 7 days, with the full clinical effect usually reached by the two-week mark following the procedure.

The longevity of the results varies between individuals, but for underarm treatment, the effects typically last between 4 to 9 months. As the treatment wears off, sweat production will gradually return to its previous level. Many patients choose to have maintenance treatments twice a year to manage their symptoms consistently.

There is minimal downtime, and most patients return to their normal daily activities immediately. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise, hot baths, saunas, and the use of anti-perspirants or deodorants for the first 24 hours. You should also avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area for a few days to ensure the solution remains in the targeted site.

As with any injectable medical procedure, there are potential side effects. These can include temporary redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. Some patients may experience a mild headache or flu-like symptoms shortly after treatment. A full medical assessment is required before proceeding to ensure the treatment is suitable for you and to discuss potential risks in detail.