There are millions of sayings about sweat:
- Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff
- Women don’t sweat, they glisten
- This will take blood sweat and tears
- Don’t let them see you sweat
But for some of us, sweat isn’t a saying, it’s a diagnosis.
Axillary Hyperhidrosis, the medical term for excessive underarm sweating, is a medical condition that is not uncommon. Unlike functional sweating, which is triggered by exercise, exertion, and external heat, hyperhidrosis often has no trigger at all or can be a result of emotional situations such as anxiety. In fact the term ‘cold sweat’ is often used because the sweat is not being used for heat regulation or triggered by temperature. Unfortunately, breaking into a cold sweat has negative connotations including presumed guilt or fear by observers and an out-of-control feeling by the patient. While certainly not life-threatening, this condition has negative effects on a patient’s lifestyle and self-confidence. Most patients with Axillary Hyperhidrosis have tried multiple antiperspirants, prepare coping methods (a few go-to jokes, or a small fan in their office or cubicle), and choose clothing strategically based on this condition.
Botox is FDA-approved for severe underarm sweating and works by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the hyperactive sweat glands. As a result, patients will experience a dramatic drop in underarm sweat for six to twelve months. While it can take up to 14 days to see the full effects of Botox, many clients report noticing a difference in as little as 3 days after the injection. Quite simply, this safe and effective treatment drastically improves quality of life for patients who suffer from excessive sweating.
To prepare, we ask that you shave your underarms either the day of or day before treatment, we will then use a topical numbing cream on the area and a series of injections will be administered for each underarm. The procedure takes about an hour and you can resume normal activity immediately. Some clients notice a slight sensitivity in the treatment area later in the day as the numbing cream wears off.
It is a New York City summer, and all of us are expecting to sweat or glisten accordingly, but if you are suffering from excessive sweating, contact us to learn about your treatment options. Then you can contact your favorite shopping buddy to find a strapless dress or tailored button-up shirt.