Millions of people in the United States have hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive underarm sweating and unwanted odor. Fortunately, there are many treatments to address underarm sweat and hyperhidrosis, including BOTOX®, but these are often temporary solutions for a permanent condition.
We’ve created a list of methods that allow you to deal with underarm sweat. If you’re looking for a long-term solution, the first three options are for you. Otherwise, skip to the bottom four for a quick solution.
Long-term/ Permanent Solutions
1. Surgery
Surgery involves the removal of the sweat glands from the armpits. No sweat glands, no sweating problem. The most popular surgical methods of armpit sweat reduction are:
- ETS surgery
- Suction Curettage
- Liposuction
- Excision
- Laser
The ETS surgical method involves making two small incisions (about 1 cm) in the armpit and cutting the sympathetic nerves to stop the nerve impulses in the sweat glands.
Other methods include the removal of sweat glands via scraping, suction, vaporizing, or excision.
The results are permanent but come at a hefty price ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
The most common side effect is compensatory sweating on the back, chest, legs, abdomen, and other areas of the body (applicable to most surgical methods). Other side effects are related to other commonalities of surgery such as bruising, swelling, headaches, etc.
The amount of compensatory sweating depends on the individual. You can try some other long-term but temporary methods of sweat reduction before resorting to a permanent one.
2. Botox
A small amount of Botox injected into the armpit can stop underarm sweating for about one whole year.
There’s no removal of the sweat gland in this process. Botox simply paralyzes the overactive nerves, which will regenerate over the next 4-14 months.
The treatment costs about $1,000 for both arms, and people typically don’t complain of compensatory sweating as a side effect. We recommend getting a Botox treatment before a permanent solution to get used to the new lifestyle.
Contact Transcend Rejuvenation to learn more about Botox treatment.
3. MiraDry
MiraDry costs about $2,000 and offers the perfect balance between price and results. The results of miraDry are virtually permanent. Only a tiny percentage of people experience compensatory sweating after this procedure.
If you seek a permanent solution for excessive sweating, make it miraDry.
No stains, no odors, no wet patches. Just a better social life and more self-confidence.
PROCEDURE:
An anesthetic is injected before the procedure. But this is as invasive as this treatment gets. After the injection, a small handheld device delivers electromagnetic energy beneath the underarm skin to decompose the sweat glands with heat (thermolysis). The sweat glands do not regenerate, as patients who have undergone this procedure have confirmed. Most people see extraordinary results after two appointments.
The procedure takes only about an hour, after which you will be required to rest for a few days as the swelling and pain subsides.
Feel free to contact our Layton MiraDry treatment specialists to learn more about the procedure.
Short-term solutions
While you’re deciding on a long-term solution for armpit sweat reduction, let’s see what you can do for relief as soon as possible.
1. Sweat Pads for Armpits
Sweat pads are available for both men and women. Buy them online or at your nearest pharmacy.
They stick to the underarms, and you can wear them underneath your clothing. Sweat pads for armpits are thin, so you won’t have to worry about people seeing its outline under your clothes.
A pad’s effectiveness depends on how well it sticks. Armpit hair can reduce its effectiveness. It might start moving around and get unstuck, so keep an extra with you just in case.
2. Sweat-absorbent fabric
You can buy sweat-proof undershirts to keep the sweat from staining your shirt. Cotton is breathable, but we know it’s not as effective as it’s marketed to be. Anyone with a sweating problem can attest to that.
These undershirts are comfortable, stick to the skin, and don’t make you feel hot. You can wear them underneath any dress top without making it apparent that you’re wearing two layers of clothing.
3. Baby powder
The baby powder won’t stop you from sweating but will absorb sweat. Since it smells nice, it will hide the odor.
It also prevents chafing and rashes and can be used by people with sensitive skin.
The problem? The baby powder can mix with sweat and cluster to form small white patches on