An effective way to get rid of excessive sweating is surgical treatment of hyperhidrosis. Surgical intervention allows you to eliminate symptoms and visible manifestations, blocking the root cause of the pathology - the etiological link. Constant sweating of the head, feet, and armpits worsens a person’s quality of life. If there is no result from drug therapy, the patient has to resort to surgical methods. The right type of operation allows you to achieve a quick positive effect.
If there is no result from drug therapy, surgical intervention is resorted to.
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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Causes and symptoms of hidradenitis development
Factors that provoke the development of the disease may include:
- tissue infection due to cuts and injuries;
- insufficient compliance with hygiene rules;
- low immunity;
- diabetes;
- pathology of the sweat glands.
Inflammation is provoked by an infection of streptococcus aureus and steptophylococcus, which penetrates through the sweat ducts and the lymphatic system to the fatty tissue.
Hidradenitis is characterized by itching with the formation of a hard swelling up to 2 cm in size. The tumor quickly increases in size, and pain is felt. The skin takes on a red tint, with further softening of the tissue and the formation of a fistula with discharged pus, often with blood. The patient's condition worsens, headache and fever appear.
Specialists at the KDS Clinic will perform the operation as quickly as possible. The cost of our services for the removal of hidradenitis in the region and in Moscow is below average, therefore available to a wide range of the population.
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 good about using sympathectomy?
If we compare an ectomy with resection or complete amputation of a nerve, it is much safer for human health and also produces significantly fewer severe side effects. In addition, a competent surgeon, taking into account the location of the incision and the specific bundles of the cut trunks, can vary the intensity of sweating from its complete stop to a slight decrease . This is very valuable in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.
The fact is that you cannot completely stop sweating there - the skin will very quickly become excessively dry, and painful cracks may appear. In addition, in such cases, compensatory sweating is almost 100% likely to occur.
Note that surgery for severe hyperhidrosis is far from a panacea. Professional cosmetologists note that the probability of complete recovery is about 60%. In all other situations, it is somewhat incorrect to consider a condition when instead of sweating of the palms, for example, hyperhidrosis of the head (as a compensatory reaction) to be considered recovery.
What is the reason for this dispersion? Much here (almost everything) depends on the root cause of the pathology . Of course, the presence or absence of other treatment is of considerable importance. So, the doctor must definitely find out from the patient how he was treated for hyperhidrosis and whether he was treated at all. If there has been therapy, but the patient is simply not satisfied with the rate of positive changes in his body (sweating goes away slowly), then the operation should be abandoned. With secondary hyperhidrosis caused by some kind of infection, oncology, tuberculosis - too. The exception is diabetes. It is impossible to cure it (at least for now), and it will certainly not be easy for a person to sweat profusely and constantly for the rest of his life.
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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Cosmetic procedures in the fight against hypohidrosis
Botox injections into the armpits
Botulinum toxin type A blocks the transmission of nerve impulses in the treated area. It is on this principle that its anti-wrinkle action is based: the skin becomes smooth due to the cessation of activity of the muscle fibers adjacent to it. In the same way, the activity of sweat gland cells is neutralized: an injection session completely suppresses sweating for 4-6 months, and then over the course of several more months it will be much reduced. Thanks to this, you can come for the procedure once a year. It is preferable in the spring so that the peak effect occurs during the most “problematic” summer period.
Almost any botulinum toxin-based drug is suitable for injection: Botox, Dysport, Lantox, Relatox. The exception is Xeomin; it is not suitable for the treatment of hyperhidrosis due to poor distribution in tissues. During the procedure, approximately 30-40 injections are given, to avoid pain, an anesthetic cream is first applied.
To prick the entire problem area, first carry out the Minor test - a 1% iodine solution is applied to the skin, and then starch. Areas of the skin where hyperfunction of the sweat glands are observed become brown, helping the specialist to correctly apply the markings. After the procedure, the Minor test is performed again to make sure that the gland is treated well and to find out whether additional correction is needed. There are almost no side reactions or complications. Its only drawback is its high cost (for example, the armpits will require from 50 to 100 units of Botox).
Iontophoresis
Hands or feet are placed for 20-30 minutes in water through which an electric current is passed. But it is so weak that the patient does not feel any pain. Iontophoresis is carried out both in a cosmetology center and at home (you must first purchase a current generator device). Typically, the course of treatment consists of 10 sessions, carried out with a break of 2-3 days.
Doctors do not know exactly how iontophoresis acts on the sweat glands. Nevertheless, the procedure has an effect, and experts recommend it as the first stage of treatment. The only drawback is almost zero results when working with the armpits.
Microwave therapy
In America and Japan, hyperhidrosis is treated with the innovative miraDry system. This device applies microwave energy to the sweat glands, which leads to their destruction. Reviews indicate an effective result, but at the same time there are many reports of serious side effects, such as headaches and partial numbness of the limbs.
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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For what diseases are sweat glands removed?
When sweat is released normally, this is a kind of protection against overheating. This process regulates the autonomic nervous system. Violations of the functions of the autonomic nervous system lead to the fact that any anxiety causes the release of excessive amounts of sweat. Experts have not discovered why the malfunctions occur in the body directly. Some scientists claim that it is genetics, others say that it is a matter of constant stress. There is a third point of view - the impact of the endocrine system.
Constant sweating that is not associated with physical or emotional causes is hyperhidrosis. Pathology has two forms:
- The first form is associated with infectious or oncological diseases;
- The local form is formed due to pathology of the ANS (a complex of central and peripheral nervous structures).
In the local form, the palms, feet and armpits are affected. In cosmetology, additional Botox injections are often used.
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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Causes of the disease
Causes of hyperhidrosis:
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- menopause and other changes in the female body caused by age;
- allergy;
- overdose of any drug;
- traumatic brain injury;
- overweight;
- alcoholism and drug addiction;
- oncological disease.
Hyperhidrosis, as a rule, manifests itself in conjunction with other symptoms, for example, lethargy, drowsiness, lack of appetite, which in turn can indicate a serious illness.
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.
Sign up for a consultation with a specialist by phone 8 (495) 995-15-13
, and you will see for yourself!
Modern laser devices for excessive sweating
To get rid of hyperhidrosis of the palms, armpits, and feet, the following laser systems are used:
- "Nd:YAG";
- "Fotona Spectro SP".
These devices are used in dermatology and surgery. They are used to perform laser hair removal, get rid of acne, remove formations on the skin, perform liposuction, treat varicose veins and excessive sweating. "Fotona Spectro SP" allows you to achieve maximum efficiency with a minimum depth of penetration of the laser beam. The average power of the device is about 30 W, due to which the manipulation is carried out very quickly.