Sweating is an important bodily function that is performed to keep your body cool and prevent you from overheating. However, some people experience a condition called hyperhidrosis which is marked by an overactive sweat mechanism. This excessive sweating can occur at any time, even when your body doesn’t need to cool off.
Excessive sweating can be a source of embarrassment for many people. Hyperhidrosis doesn’t just result in wet or stained clothing, it disrupts both personal and professional interactions and can create an intense level of anxiety. Reach out to our team to discuss hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) treatments.
It appears that one of the types of hyperhidrosis – primary hyperhidrosis – may be an inherited condition. You may have family members who suffer from the same excessive sweating. Secondary hyperhidrosis is the other type, and it is associated with an underlying condition, such as neurologic disorders and spine injuries.
Prevention of excessive sweating depends on the cause. You may be able to reduce episodes of hyperhidrosis if you can identify triggers, such as excessive caffeine consumption or untreated generalized anxiety. If the condition is caused by certain medications, you may want to talk to your doctor about finding an alternative medication to see if sweating is reduced.
For most people in Los Angeles, hyperhidrosis cannot be prevented, but it can be managed, allowing you to lead a more comfortable, fulfilling life without the constant worry and inconvenience of being too sweaty. Primary care physicians and dermatologists can both offer prescription-level antiperspirants or neurotoxins such as Botox, Daxxify, or Xeomin. Neurotoxin injection is very effective but can be expensive. Start with the simplest steps first.
The International Hyperhidrosis Society has a website dedicated to the issues surrounding excessive sweating. If you find typical drugstore options ineffective, then you may have actual hyperhidrosis, which requires different avenues for control. Treatments range from clinical-strength antiperspirants to surgery.
Not everyone welcomes summer with open arms (more like arms clamped firmly to their sides). If you suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), you A) know who you are, and B) are tired of agonizing over what you can wear, do and go during everyone else’s favorite season.
Neurotoxins effectively halt sweat gland activity within a week of your appointment in Los Angeles and last for three to six months.
Xeomin can also be used to control sweat gland activity in the palms. And like its cousins, BOTOX® , Daxxify, and Dysport, can be used to smooth lines and wrinkles on the face and neck.
Neurotoxin injections will reduce hyperhidrosis for about 4-6 months, at which point re-treatment is necessary to maintain the effect. As you receive successive injections, you may find that the effects begin to last longer and that more time can pass between appointments.
Hyperhidrosis can be reduced with a single injection appointment. It takes about five days to see the initial results, with optimal results reached in two weeks.
Brella in Los Angeles reduces hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating (focused first on excessive underarm sweating) and is quick, effective, and affordable with a favorable safety profile. The investigational “TAT” (targeted alkali thermolysis) patch is single-use and disposable.
The TAT patch uses alkali metal that creates thermal energy when it interacts with underarm sweat, microtargeting sweat glands and temporarily inactivating them to reduce sweating. Clinical studies show that the TAT patch significantly reduces sweat.
The TAT patch is applied by a healthcare professional for up to three minutes per arm. It is designed to be simple, fast, with no downtime, and should fit easily into Los Angeles patients’ quarterly in-office treatment regimens. The TAT patch is currently undergoing review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. MyBrella Patient Info and QUIZ
In a pivotal study, the TAT patch demonstrated significant reductions in sweat measured by both quality of life and quantitative measurements. Specifically, the TAT patch reduced underarm sweat and improved multiple quality-of-life measures, including increased confidence, reduced embarrassment, reduced frustration, and less need for multiple showers and shirt changes. Additional deep-dive scientific Information
Most people in Los Angeles with hyperhidrosis experience minimal to no side effects or complications when using clinical-strength antiperspirants. Two of the most common side effects are irritation and a burning sensation where the antiperspirant is applied.
A key step is to be sure your skin is completely clean and dry before applying and applying at bedtime so the product has time to do what it’s intended to do. Putting on your antiperspirant only in the morning, right before you rush out the door, almost guarantees it won’t work as intended.
Some people are concerned that antiperspirants are linked to breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. To date, there is not any substantial evidence of such an association. Certain studies have shown there is not a link. If you are concerned, we encourage you to discuss the matter with Dr. Fitzgerald and your general doctor.
The deodorant business is huge. One only needs to look down the personal care aisle in a drugstore or big box store to understand this culture’s desire to smell fresh. More often than not, deodorants are combined with antiperspirants. Because formulations are different from one manufacturer (or product) to another, it can be a process to find one that works for you.
Newer to the smell-good arena are deodorants that contain mandelic acid. For some people, these products are effective when “regular” deodorants aren’t. They won’t impact sweating, but they will impact the odor that develops when you sweat. And the reduced anxiety around odor may lessen the level of sweat produced by that anxiety. Some available products include Sweet Pitti by Drunk Elephant, Kosas Chemistry Deodorant, and a few more. Look for mandelic acid or salicylic acid in the formulation as these change the pH of your skin and consequently help inhibit odor.
Please contact our office to discuss hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) treatments in Los Angeles.
