Laser treatment of hyperhidrosis: features, contraindications, effectiveness

From this article you will learn:

How does hyperhidrosis manifest?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of laser treatment for hyperhidrosis?
What is the essence of laser treatment for hyperhidrosis and how is it carried out?

Laser treatment of hyperhidrosis is a modern procedure that is an alternative to risky surgical interventions. Every tenth person suffers from mild sweating. But everything is much more problematic with excessive sweating. We'll talk about it in our article.

How does hyperhidrosis manifest?

Hyperhidrosis is a pathological condition accompanied by increased sweating of the whole body (generalized form) or individual parts of it (idiopathic form) - armpits, feet, palms, large skin folds in obesity. Local forms of hyperhidrosis are much more common.

Sweating is an important physiological process necessary for:

thermoregulation of the body;
maintaining water-salt balance;
regulation of metabolism and removal of toxins.

Sweat is secreted onto the surface of the skin by special exocrine glands, which are located over almost the entire surface of the body (with the exception of the genitals). Sometimes in some areas they begin to work with abnormal intensity as a result of non-compliance with personal hygiene rules or the presence of certain diseases. The activity of these glands is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Nervous tension, fear, and aggression can provoke so-called emotional hyperhidrosis. Exertion in such states leads to the production of adrenaline. At the same time, the heart rate increases, the pupils dilate, and the body, as it were, prepares to meet a possible threat. This is a natural process established by nature.

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In such a situation of increased activity, more intensive cooling is required, and the sweat glands are activated. To get rid of sweating due to nervousness, it is enough to try to normalize your psychological state. The occurrence of hyperhidrosis in a calm mood serves as a signal of the disease, so before starting treatment it is necessary to determine the cause of this phenomenon. Elimination of the existing etiological condition in most situations helps to get rid of hyperhidrosis without the use of laser therapy.

Causes of increased sweating can be:

Disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, stress, etc.
Endocrine abnormalities (increased levels of thyroid hormones, diabetes mellitus, postmenopausal syndrome, etc.).
Acute infectious diseases and chronic (tuberculosis, influenza, sore throat, etc.).
Rheumatism.
Genetic diseases.
Emotional overload.
Taking medications that affect the autonomic nervous system (for example, antidepressants, Propranolol, Acyclovir, aspirin, etc.).
Tumor diseases.
Drug and alcohol addiction.

This list of reasons should be supplemented with physiological factors that trigger the process of sweating to maintain normal body temperature. These include increased air temperature, physical activity, emotional stress or stressful situations, and consumption of hot food and drinks.

It is also worth not forgetting about conditions unrelated to your state of well-being. These include:

Use of synthetic clothing out of season.
Failure to comply with hygiene procedures.
Using narrow shoes made of rubber or artificial leather.

Among other things, increased sweating can be hereditary. In such situations, hyperhidrosis manifests itself already in childhood in the absence of any concomitant and provoking pathologies.

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Lifestyle with excessive sweating

We found out that hyperhidrosis is treatable. But to help yourself during treatment and avoid the recurrence of sweating, you need to lead a correct lifestyle.

Maintain good personal hygiene

People suffering from hyperhidrosis risk getting a whole “bouquet” of its consequences - skin irritations, pustular and fungal diseases. To prevent this from happening, keep your body clean. Take a shower twice a day - morning and evening.

Follow a diet

Nutrition affects the functioning of the sweat glands. For example, caffeine and theobromine activate sweat production. Eliminate from your diet foods that contain these substances: strong tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate and cola.

Do not overuse seasonings, especially spicy ones. For hot and fatty foods, prefer light vegetable salads and steamed dishes.

Minimize your consumption of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol brutally increases sweating and unpleasant odor. Replace it with mineral water or weak herbal tea.

Wear clothes and shoes made from natural materials

Try to wear clothes made from natural, breathable fabrics - linen or cotton. Also choose shoes from natural materials, such as leather. And dress according to the weather so you don't get too hot.

Monitor the microclimate in your home

Maintain the temperature in your home, especially in hot weather and during the heating season. Ventilate the rooms, humidify the air, and, if necessary, get a fan or air conditioner.

Minimize stress

You already know that stress and nervous tension aggravate the problem of excessive sweating. Therefore, try to protect yourself from negativity:

Communicate less with unpleasant people
Don't get overworked at work
Don't quarrel with loved ones
Please yourself with pleasant little things

Advantages and disadvantages of laser treatment for hyperhidrosis

Treatment of hyperhidrosis of the feet and other areas with laser has a huge number of advantages. Firstly, this is the duration of the effect of this method. Laser therapy permanently eliminates excessive sweating in 80% of cases within 4–7 weeks. More severe situations require repeating the procedure after a few months.

In addition to high efficiency, the advantages of laser treatment for hyperhidrosis include:

Minimal trauma to the skin, since the operation is performed using a minimally invasive method.
There is absolutely no risk of infection.
The procedure is carried out without anesthesia, only with local anesthesia.
No recovery period in a clinical setting.
The laser beam does not leave scars, hematomas, burns, etc.
Slows the growth of unwanted hair in the treated area.
Favorable effect on the condition and appearance of the skin.

Alas, there is no method that provides a 100% guarantee that a repeat procedure will not be required. Experts openly say that the effect of laser treatment for hyperhidrosis is not guaranteed and there are situations when it does not give the desired result even after the second application. At the same time, Botox injections or iontophoresis create better dryness compared to this method.

Reviews about the treatment of underarm hyperhidrosis with laser are mostly only good. It is this zone that is most often identified by patients for treatment. But today not all clinics provide laser treatment for hyperhidrosis of the palms and feet.

The disadvantages of this procedure include:

High price.
The level of professionalism of the doctor performing the procedure must be quite high.
The recovery period is accompanied by swelling, pain and bruising.

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What is Botox and how does it work?

Botox is a drug that contains botulinum toxin, a substance that, in microdoses, blocks nerve impulses emanating from nerve endings. As you know, Botox is widely used in cosmetology to eliminate facial wrinkles.

In this case, botulinum toxin blocks sympathetic nerve endings that transmit impulses from the thermoregulation center to the sweat glands. After Botox injections, excessive sweating no longer bothers the patient; anhidrosis occurs - a complete absence of sweating or its significant suppression.

What is the essence of laser treatment for hyperhidrosis?

This method involves exposing the problem area to a diode laser, which destroys most of the sweat glands, and they are not restored in the future.

In addition, its rays simultaneously destroy hair follicles, which allows you to get rid of unwanted hair in the armpit area.

The operation is carried out in a completely sterile room in compliance with all sanitary standards.

Doctors do not recommend removing all sweat glands in the problem area. They play an important role in the thermoregulation of the body, and this can lead to the development of the problem of compensatory sweating (hyperhidrosis in other areas of the body), as well as excessive dryness of the epidermis, etc.

The process itself begins with testing to determine the degree of sweating. This is done through the Minor test. This is a special iodine-starch test, in which Lugol's solution or iodine solution is applied to the skin with a swab, and then sprinkled with starch. Iodine interacts with starch when sweat appears, and a dark blue color occurs, and in places of the most significant accumulation of sweat glands, the skin becomes almost black. It is these areas that are subject to the most thorough treatment.

The procedure begins with anesthesia of the area where laser treatment will take place, and this is perhaps the most uncomfortable moment. Then the doctor makes three small two-millimeter incisions in the skin, through which a flexible tube with a laser optical fiber inside is inserted. Thanks to this, the bases of the sweat glands are destroyed, but the effect is only in the fatty area and does not affect neighboring tissues and vessels.

If the specialist is not professional enough, very minor burns may still remain on the skin. After the end of the laser treatment, a small “scraper” is inserted into the punctures and the inner surface of the canals is scraped out with it. This manipulation helps prevent the breakdown of scorched sweat glands, which will be accompanied by the release of toxic products. The resulting material is removed outside.

The entire procedure, including the preparatory stage, lasts about an hour, after which a special bactericidal bandage is applied to the injured area to restrain skin movement. It must be worn for several days.

The patient, as a rule, can leave the clinic almost immediately after carrying out all the necessary manipulations and observing the body’s reaction. He can return to his normal lifestyle, with the exception of some restrictions, which we will discuss below.

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Three “store-bought” remedies for hyperhidrosis under 300 rubles

Hyperhidrosis can be cured, or rather, its cause can be eliminated only after visiting a doctor. Passing all the tests, identifying the cause of sweating and undergoing a course of treatment (and perhaps more than one!) is a very slow process. Well, while diagnosis and therapy last, make sure that only you know about your illness - help yourself. And we will tell you exactly how.

Deodorants and antiperspirants

The mechanism of action of deodorant and antiperspirant is different. The first destroys bacteria and eliminates the smell of sweat with aromatic fragrances, while the second blocks the ducts of the sweat glands and prevents fluid from leaking out. Their duration of action is also different. Deodorant is active for only a few hours, and antiperspirant is active for about a day.

Alunite is a natural mineral

Alunite or alum stone is a 100% natural salt crystal. Here are its advantages:

Kills bacteria - the cause of unpleasant odor
Does not interfere with the functioning of sweat glands
Safe for the skin, as it does not contain “chemicals” - alcohols, fragrances and emulsifiers
Eliminates inflammation and itching (relevant after shaving!)
Does not cause allergies
Heals wounds

You can purchase this stone at a pharmacy or cosmetic store. It's inexpensive and lasts a long time.

Teymurova (foot spray) - against sweat and odor

Teymurova's spray fights sweating and other unpleasant consequences of hyperhidrosis of the legs. The components of the spray are responsible for this:

— Boric and salicylic acids, sodium tetraborate and methenamine eliminate sweating and unpleasant odor;

— Essential oils of tea tree, lavender and lemon balm have an antibacterial effect;

— Peppermint oil relieves fatigue, cools, deodorizes and refreshes the skin of the feet.

Recovery after laser treatment for hyperhidrosis

The use of a laser is a safe procedure and therefore does not have serious consequences associated with well-being after treatment.

Possible complications include the following:

The appearance of bruises.
Swelling.
Temporary loss of sensation in the operated area.
Unpleasant sensations.
Allergy.

For the first five days, experts recommend applying an antiseptic bandage to the treated area. This can be a sterile gauze cloth, well secured with an adhesive plaster or bandage. It is necessary to ensure that the bandage does not come off during movements. During this period, it is better to avoid intense work and rubbing the skin of the armpits on clothing.

Within two to three weeks it is not recommended:

Visit public swimming pools, baths and saunas.
Remove hair from the laser treatment area.
Use antiperspirant deodorants.

After laser therapy, the patient can immediately return to their normal lifestyle. The procedure is suitable for both men and women. The effect depends only on the characteristics of the patient’s body and the severity of hyperhidrosis.

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Causes and symptoms

There are primary and secondary forms of hyperhidrosis. Primary is most often inherited; sweating of the feet, palms and armpits increases. Secondary occurs due to the presence of any disease; sweat appears throughout the body evenly.

Sweating can occur due to prolonged use of medications or their incorrect dosage - antidepressants, antibiotics, vasoconstrictor antipyretics, drugs.

The causes of increased sweating in children of different ages vary greatly; this is due to changes in the growing body.

Infancy. The reasons for the appearance are teething, the presence of rickets, intracranial pressure, muscle hypertonicity, hot and dry air. Children who are obese, born prematurely, or fed artificial formula are more susceptible to the disease.
From the age of six, the sweating system is finally formed. Increased sweating at this time is associated with a crisis in the child, living conditions change - the appearance of new people and abundant mental stress. Changing your diet and gaining excess weight can also cause hyperhidrosis.
Adolescence, puberty. Puberty causes hormonal changes in the body, at which time primary hyperhidrosis may appear. In adolescence, the cause of sweating is diabetes mellitus, excess weight, vegetative-vascular dystonia, and mental disorders.

The presence of the disease in children can be detected by several signs:

profuse sweating in the armpits;
wet, cold hands;
sweating of the head, red face;
wet clothes that have to be changed several times a day;
wet feet, unpleasant odor.

Possible complications after laser treatment of hyperhidrosis and contraindications

Some patients notice enlarged lymph nodes after surgery. This is possible if the lymphatic system was affected during the procedure. This complication goes away within a month.

Sometimes there is a decrease in skin sensitivity in the armpits. This is a reversible reaction caused by the destruction of nerve endings by a laser scalpel.

The lack of effectiveness of such treatment for hyperhidrosis in some cases can be explained by the anatomical features of the body, which is capable of partially restoring the destroyed sweating system. In such cases, symptoms return a few weeks after surgery.

If a specialist prescribes laser treatment for excessive sweating, there is no need to refuse: this therapy is not dangerous, painless, and the positive result will be dry armpits and feet, which will no longer cause an unpleasant odor.

To avoid serious negative consequences, contraindications to the procedure should be taken into account.

The main contraindications for laser treatment of sweating include:

Age up to 18 years.
Inflammatory processes of the sweat or sebaceous glands in the area of interest.
Dermatological diseases, allergic rashes in the intended area of influence.
Acute infections.
Oncological diseases.
Diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation.
Blood diseases, bleeding disorders.
Pregnancy and lactation period.
Regular use of certain medications (to reduce blood clotting, steroid hormones, and drugs with a photosensitizing effect).

Components included in medications can provoke the occurrence of photosensitivity. A list of such drugs can be found in open medical publications. Some of the most common in this category are antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and hormonal contraceptives.

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Bottom line: What to do if you have hyperhidrosis?

First, make an appointment with your doctor. Perhaps hyperhidrosis is just a symptom of another, more serious disease.
Lead a healthy lifestyle. It has never hurt anyone, especially with hyperhidrosis.
Treat systemically. Perform the procedures regularly, methodically, and don’t mess around!
“Fight” hyperhidrosis in a comprehensive manner. While you are treating the root cause, eliminate the consequences - sweat, odor, stains on clothes.
Do not be nervous. As the great Bob Marley sang: “Don't worry, be happy!”

How much does laser treatment for hyperhidrosis cost?

Today, laser treatment of armpit hyperhidrosis is the most effective among all possible methods of getting rid of sweating. Almost all cosmetology clinics in Russia and many more widely targeted private institutions are equipped with appropriate equipment and can provide laser therapy services.

The cost of treatment depends not only on the professionalism of the surgeon, the reputation of the center and the conditions of the operation, but also on the region. The average price for laser treatment of hyperhidrosis in Moscow is about 40 thousand rubles. In other regions, the cost of laser treatment for hyperhidrosis is somewhat cheaper - about 25-30 thousand rubles.

The result of therapy largely depends on the qualifications of the surgeon, so we strongly recommend that you contact doctors who have not only the appropriate certificate, but also certain experience. First study the reputation of the clinic, its specialists, the conditions for the procedure, and then make an appointment.

Nowadays, you no longer have to spend a lot of time performing complex and unpleasant procedures at home. It is much easier to seek help from real professionals - the Veronika Herba beauty and health center, equipped with effective and modern equipment.

Why clients choose Veronika Herba beauty and health center:

This is a beauty center where you can undergo laser treatment for hyperhidrosis at a reasonable cost, while your body will be treated by one of the best specialists in Moscow. This is a completely different, higher level of service!
You can receive qualified help at any time convenient for you. The beauty center is open from 9:00 to 21:00, seven days a week. The main thing is to agree with your doctor in advance on the date and time of your appointment.

, and you will see for yourself!

When this is no longer the norm: symptoms of hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis begins to manifest itself gradually: at first, sweating is very scanty, almost imperceptible, then you notice small wet spots on your clothes, and finally, sweat begins to pour out “like a bucket.” In this case, the disease is often accompanied by other symptoms:

Swelling of the arms, legs and face
Cardiopalmus
Soft tissue pain
Redness and irritation of the skin
Chills due to continuous evaporation of fluid from the skin

These symptoms can be aggravated by stress, expression of strong emotions, summer heat, as well as consumption of chocolate and coffee.

Carrying out the procedure

Preparation

Before you get Botox injections into your armpits, you need to prepare. Experts recommend a few days before the session to avoid alcohol, visiting a solarium, and taking antibiotics, antidepressants and blood thinners.

The day before the procedure, you should limit yourself to physical activity and remove hair in the armpit area. On the day of the session, you do not need to use antiperspirants, lotions, shower gels or other cosmetics.

Minor's sample

When the procedure is performed for the first time, doctors first do a Minor test. With its help, the degree of hyperhidrosis is determined.

Stages of the Minor test:

treating the armpit area with an antiseptic;
applying iodine solution to the cleaned surface;
applying a second layer of starch;
the patient performs some physical exercises (if necessary, when it is necessary to start the sweating process).

During sweating, the skin treated with iodine solution and starch acquires a light purple tint. The doctor determines the degree of hyperhidrosis based on the area of the spots that appear. If the Minor test is performed immediately before the injection session, the specialist can outline the areas where Botox needs to be injected.

Stages of implementation

The patient lies down on the couch.
The armpit is treated with an antiseptic. The doctor waits time for the composition to dry completely in order to prevent it from interacting with Botox.
The doctor outlines the area of work, drawing injection points with a cosmetic pencil.
If the pain threshold is low, the armpits are treated with anesthetic cream.
The active substance is injected under the skin using a thin needle to a depth of no more than 3 mm. Papules form at the injection sites; the patient should feel a slight burning sensation, which indicates that the drug administration technique was followed correctly.
At the end of the procedure, a cooling compress is applied to the armpits. It helps reduce pain and swelling.

The session lasts about 30 minutes. After the procedure, the patient will have to spend some time in the clinic under the supervision of a cosmetologist. It is important for the specialist to know whether any side effects have occurred.

The dosage of the drug is determined after the initial examination and the Minor test.

Prices for Botox injections in the armpits

The price of Botox injections when administered into the armpits depends primarily on:

on the area of the treated area;
the number of injections required for a full procedure.

The price list indicates the cost of one injection. Up to 50 units are required for the first session. For a repeated procedure, the number of units can be either increased or decreased. The final price is influenced by the clinic’s promotions and discounts offered. Find out more at a free consultation with a specialist.

Cosmetic procedures are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Rehabilitation period

If allergic reactions are not observed, there is no rehabilitation period as such. However, there are some restrictions that it is advisable to adhere to. After the procedure it is not recommended:

take warm baths;
go to the swimming pool;
visit the bathhouse, sauna, solarium;
use antiperspirants;
use some cosmetics;
exercise intensively;
drinking alcohol;
take antibiotics;
massage the treated area.

If you strictly follow all the doctor’s instructions, the effect of Botox injections in the armpits will last for several months.