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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Diagnostics

The cause of sweating of the head is identified by a general practitioner, who either makes a diagnosis independently or refers the patient to specialized specialists. A comprehensive examination is prescribed to assess the general condition of the body and exclude organic pathology that could cause increased sweating. The following methods have the greatest diagnostic value:

Neurological examination
. The initial examination includes assessment of superficial and deep tendon reflexes, testing of cognitive abilities and muscle reactions. Dermographism must be examined, an orthostatic test and the Danini-Aschner maneuver must be performed, which help to exclude dysfunction of the autonomic system.
Electroneurography.
The study of the functional capabilities of the peripheral nerves of the head area is carried out using their local stimulation with electrical impulses. The method is necessary to identify specific syndromes (Lucy-Frey, chorda tympani). If there is possible brain damage, an EEG is indicated.
X-ray examination
. To exclude organic pathologies of the nervous system as the cause of hyperhidrosis of the face and head, the results of radiography are indicative. If suspicious formations or traumatic injuries are detected, a CT or MRI of the brain is prescribed to clarify the nature of the disease.
Functional tests
. The rate of sweat secretion is assessed using quantitative methods - gravimetry and evapometry. Hyperhidrosis is said to occur when sweating rates exceed 10 mg per minute. Qualitative tests are effective for detecting the affected area - starch iodine test, ninhydrin test.
Laboratory methods
. The examination plan includes standard general and biochemical blood tests. In women, estrogen and progesterone levels are determined. If syphilis of the brain is suspected, microscopic and bacteriological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid and serological tests are recommended.

If severe sweating of the head and face occurs against the background of intense skin hyperemia and painful headaches, blood pressure is measured, an ECG is recorded, and, if necessary, an ultrasound of the heart is performed. If symptoms develop in emotionally labile patients, psychiatric evaluation is required. For patients with primary local hyperhidrosis, consultation with a geneticist is advisable.

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 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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Stages of the procedure

First of all, the doctor will examine you and perform a Minor test to identify areas on the soles of your feet with the highest activity of the sweat glands;
He will determine the injection schedule and select a more suitable drug - Botulax, Dysport or Xeomin;
Next, he will clean the skin of the feet with an antiseptic;
Apply anesthetic gel;
Perform drug injections;
Treat your feet with antiseptic again;
In 5-10 minutes you can put on your shoes and go home.

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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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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At the doctor

Many people ask which doctor treats hyperhidrosis. First you need to see a therapist, you may also need to consult the following specialists:

dermatologist - to exclude dermatosis and inflammation of the sweat glands;
neurologist - to check for autonomic disorders;
endocrinologist - to assess the functioning of the thyroid gland, check hormone levels and exclude diabetes;
cardiologist - to check for the absence of angina pectoris;
orthopedist – often sweating feet is associated with flat feet.

Only a qualified specialist can determine the diseases that cause excessive sweating. The attending physician prescribes various studies.

Heavy sweating can be a sign of a number of other pathologies, which only a doctor can determine. If no diseases are detected, then they fight the problem using standard methods.

Hyperhidrosis test

The extent of hyperhidrosis and its boundaries are determined using the Minor test. You need to apply a 2% iodide solution to the armpit area. Next, let the liquid dry and sprinkle the skin with starch. In the presence of excessive sweating, the skin becomes purple, sometimes black. The area of manifestation is circled and marks are made to evenly distribute the antiperspirant over the skin.

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!