Embarrassed by excessive sweating?

If you have tried all the different antiperspirants on the market without success then you may want to consider non-invasive treatments before the surgery option of Lateral Sympathectomy.

Some of the treatments that are available to treat hyperhidrosis include a non-surgical treatment option or Ultherapy which is a proven, safe ultrasound energy based treatment or Fractional micro-needle radiofrequency (FMR) or ‘Fractora’ which is an advanced fractional radio-frequency treatment.

It’s normal to perspire, but hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating is a real issue for an estimated 3% of the population. It can be frustrating and cause severe embarrassment for those who have to live with overactive sweat glands.

Take the first step in your journey to self confidence and discuss your excessive sweating treatment options with the team at Cosmetic Image Clinics today!

Excessive Sweating or Hyperhidrosis

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Cosmetic Image Clinics is owned and operated by former AMA Qld President and TV Medical Journalist Dr Ingrid Tall who has over twenty years of experience in the cosmetic medicine industry.Our clinic is medically supervised and if experience and credibility is what you are looking for, then make Queensland’s largest cosmetic clinic, Cosmetic Image Clinics your preferred provider.

  • Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis affects an estimated 3% of the population, the age group most affected is from 18 to 54 years. This generally begins around puberty. Although not a disease in itself, it can cause acute social embarrassment for many people who are affected with excessive sweating.

    People are often embarrassed due to the sweat marks which are evident on their clothes. They find they can only wear certain coloured clothing because of the ‘tide marks’ of sweat. Also for some, a malodor associated with perspiration is problematic. Others report an acute problem when they are publicly speaking or when they are under stress.

  • Usually it is an inherited condition and related to your genetics. Rarely, it may be caused by a hormonal imbalance and it is always prudent to undergo a thyroid function blood test to ensure that the thyroid hormone is not overactive as this can cause excessive sweating. We can arrange this at Cosmetic Image Clinics.

  • Some people may consider undergoing an operation called a ‘Lateral Sympathectomy’, which is a surgical laparoscopic procedure which severs some of the nerves which run down along the spine which control the sweating reflex.

    Many people find the surgical option rather intimidating and prefer to use less invasive options.

    At Cosmetic Image Clinics we offer three options for treating excessive sweating, such as a non-surgical treatment option or Ultherapy which is proven safe ultrasound energy based treatment or ‘Fractora’ which is an advanced fractional radio-frequency treatment.

  • For the non-surgical treatment normally people elect to have numbing cream applied to their armpits prior to the treatment. This is generally applied for approximately half an hour prior to the procedure. Sometimes a ‘starch iodine’ test is used beforehand to assess where the sweat glands are concentrated but this is not always necessary.

    Ultherapy is a non-invasive treatment that targets the overactive sweat glands in the underarm by using proven, safe focused ultrasound energy. This energy is absorbed into the layer of skin where the glands are located by destroying and reducing their numbers, which can provide a lessening of excessive sweating.

    ‘Fractora’ targets the sweat glands by transferring uniform intense radiofrequency energy and helps to reduce the activity of the sweat glands

  • The non-surgical treatment option we provide is used to treat plantar or palmer hyperhidrosis often in higher doses.

    Sometimes only one hand is treated if the problem is mainly with shaking hands or writing. At times only one hand is treated per session in case muscular weakness develops in the use of the hand.

    At Cosmetic Image Clinics we pride ourselves on making your experience as comfortable as possible.

    We can offer other forms of pain relief so talk to our staff upon arrival. Nerve blocks can also be performed if required.

  • Side effects from the treatment of hyperhidrosis in the armpits with the non-surgical treatment option are usually mild. There are some raised mosquito bite marks for approximately an hour after treatment. Also mild bruising is often encountered in the armpits. A very rare side effect is muscular weakness however the muscles are very deep in relation to the armpit and this is highly unusual. Allergies are also uncommon.

    There are also rare occurrences of antibodies or immunity developing for this non-surgical treatment but this unusual phenomenon usually only occurs when higher doses are used.

  • There is no aftercare required for treatment of excessive sweating in the armpits. It is recommended antiperspirant is avoided for 24 hours prior to treatment and for 24 hours after.

    This non-surgical treatment option is an effective treatment for excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis and may improve people’s quality of life for those affected with it.

    INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOUR TREATMENT

    Ideally shave your armpits 2 days prior to appointment. If this is not possible, please trim your hairs.

    Withhold deodorant/antiperspirant for 24hrs prior to procedure.

    INSTRUCTIONS AFTER YOUR TREATMENT

    Do not apply deodorant/antiperspirant for 24hrs post procedure.

    This non-surgical treatment option usually takes 7-14 days to take effect. Do not be disappointed if you have not seen an effect even after 1 week. Very rarely, some patients will require a second treatment at 2-4 weeks to achieve the desired result.

    A maintenance treatment will be required every 6-12 months. The approximate duration differs from person to person and averages at 7 months.

  • Firstly a numbing cream or local anaesthetic will be applied to your armpit, approximately 20 minutes prior to the treatment.

    The treatment is performed using the Ulthera machine by passing the machine head in a crisscross pattern over the underarm area to target the sweat glands.

    The Ultherapy treatment will take approximately an hour (depending on the size of the underarm area being treated) and the results are effective almost immediately.

    For best results, at least two sessions are recommended about 2-4 weeks apart.

    There is no downtime, no surgery and minimal discomfort but you may experience some tenderness and bruising to the area treated.

  • Fractional Micro-needle Radiofrequency (FMR) or ‘Fractora’ delivers energy deeply into the dermis through insulated micro-needles without disturbing the epidermis.

    ‘Fractora’ is a well-known effective treatment for wrinkles; acne scarring; large pores and it also helps treat axillary hyperhidrosis.

    ‘Fractora’ targets the sweat glands by transferring uniform intense radiofrequency energy and helps to reduce the activity of the sweat glands. This causes shrinkage of the skin pores where sweat is excreted, which subsequently reduces sweating by up to 80% without initiating any loss of the body’s natural toxic and sweat elimination process.

    For best results, at least two to three sessions are recommended about 4 weeks apart.

    There is no downtime, no surgery and minimal discomfort. Side effects are usually minimal, but may include mild discomfort, transient swelling and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.