Hyperhidrosis Management
Medical care for excessive sweating.
A medical treatment that may help reduce excessive, focal sweating of the underarms, palms or soles. Suitability is assessed in a one-on-one consultation with a registered nurse or medical practitioner.
Hyperhidrosis is a recognised medical condition in which the body produces sweat in excess of what is required to regulate temperature. It is not caused by poor hygiene and is not always linked to heat, exertion or emotion. For many people it begins in adolescence or early adulthood and can persist throughout life.
Excessive sweating is most often focal - meaning it affects specific areas rather than the whole body. The underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) are the most commonly treated area, followed by the palms (palmar) and soles (plantar). For some people the impact is mild; for others it can interfere significantly with clothing choices, work, sport, social confidence and day-to-day comfort.
Contributors and triggers can include:
- - A genetic predisposition (often a family history)
- - Overactivity of the nerves that signal the sweat glands
- - Underlying medical conditions or hormonal change (assessed at consultation)
- - Certain medications
- - Stress, anxiety and warm environments as aggravating factors
Initial management of excessive sweating commonly begins with conservative measures such as high-strength antiperspirants (for example, aluminium chloride preparations) and lifestyle adjustments. Where these do not provide adequate relief, a medical injectable treatment may be considered. This is a clinical decision, made with the patient at consultation, and is not appropriate for everyone.
The mechanism, in plain language.
After a medical assessment, a small amount of a prescription medical injectable is placed superficially into the skin across the affected area in a standardised grid pattern. The dose, depth and spacing are determined individually.
The medication is designed to temporarily reduce the nerve signal that activates the sweat glands in the treated area. Sweat glands elsewhere on the body are unaffected, so the body's overall ability to regulate temperature is not impaired by treatment of a focal area.
Because the effect is temporary, the treatment is not a permanent cure for hyperhidrosis. Repeat treatments may be considered over time to support an ongoing result, and this is reviewed at follow-up.
Session, settling, results.
Treatment is preceded by a medical consultation where your symptoms, history, previous management and goals are reviewed. As part of this process you will complete a medical and psychological suitability questionnaire. Specific product names, treatment plans and pricing are discussed in person and are not advertised, in line with TGA requirements.
An underarm session typically takes 20-30 minutes. Topical anaesthetic or cooling is generally used to support comfort. The palms and soles are more sensitive and additional comfort options are discussed individually at consultation.
Onset of reduced sweating is gradual, usually noticed over the first 3-7 days, with the full effect typically developing by around 2 weeks. Duration varies between individuals - for the underarms it is commonly in the range of 4-7 months; palmar and plantar areas tend to be shorter. Outcomes vary and cannot be guaranteed.
Most people return to normal activities the same day, with some short-term advice around heat, heavy exercise and pressure on the treated area in the first 24 hours.
All cosmetic procedures carry risks.
All medical procedures carry risk. Outcomes vary between individuals, and no treatment can be guaranteed. The information below is a guide only - full risks, contraindications and side effects relevant to you will be discussed in your in-person consultation.
Common, usually self-limiting: tenderness at the injection points, brief stinging during treatment, small bruises, mild redness.
Less common: compensatory sweating (a sense of increased sweating in untreated areas), temporary localised muscle weakness (particularly relevant to palm treatment, which can affect grip strength for a period), headache, flu-like symptoms in the first few days.
Rare but serious: hypersensitivity or allergic reaction, infection at the injection site, spread of effect beyond the intended area. Any unexpected symptom after treatment should be reported to your practitioner promptly.
Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, in certain neuromuscular conditions, with active skin infection at the proposed treatment site, with certain medications, or with a known hypersensitivity to product components. Your practitioner will assess suitability at consultation.
Where this treatment fits.
Whether this treatment is right for you is decided in a one-on-one medical consultation, never online.
Questions, answered.
Hyperhidrosis Management
Begin with a consultation.
Request a ConsultationGeneral information only. Not medical advice. All cosmetic procedures carry risks. A consultation with a registered medical practitioner is required prior to any treatment. Results vary.