Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis of Underarms
What is Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis or PAH?
Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis, or PAH, is a condition of excessive sweating specific to the underarms. Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis can be a debilitating condition leading to excessive worry and fears which in turn can lead to negative effects on a person's social and psychological well being.
Hyperhidrosis can worsen in times of physical and mental stress. Physical stress can include excessive heat exposure among others. Some mental stresses can include giving presentations to others at work or school, dating and other social events, interviewing for important jobs, and many other situations.
Those afflicted can become very self conscious and resort to many treatments including over the counter and prescription antiperspirants and other home remedies. Many will also avoid the stressful situations altogether, which limits them in work, school and social life.
How is Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis Treated?
There are many treatments available for hyperhidrosis. Several "clinical strength" antiperspirants are available from stores and sufferers have found varying degrees of success through their use. Most of these, as well as the prescription topical antiperspirants, contain aluminum salts which are thought to occlude the sweat ducts.
Other treatments include energy-based devices, injectable bacterial byproducts, prescription medications, and even surgery to cut nerves.
We have been using an FDA cleared radiofrequency device in an updated procedural application to treat Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis with very good success. Usually two treatments are needed and the results are expected to be long lasting, if not completely permanent.
What kind of results should I expect?
Radiofrequency devices like ours are FDA cleared to use on all skin types for cosmetic purposes. Studies are still underway evaluating the long term success of these procedures for hyperhidrosis but the results thus far are pretty amazing.
Two treatment sessions are recommended. Most people can expect over a 50% reduction in sweating in the areas treated almost immediately after the first treatment. About 1-2 months later an additional treatment can yield an 80% reduction in sweating.
In addition, because the apocrine sweat glands under the arms are responsible for feeding bacteria that cause odor, destroying these sweat glands leads to less underarm odor.
How can I get this hyperhidrosis treatment?
If you are finding your underarm sweating to be particularly embarrassing or debilitating, call us and schedule your Free Consultation. We provide care to patients from Newnan, Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Carrollton, LaGrange, and much of the Atlanta area and look forward to meeting you.
We are currently treating patients with focal hyperhidrosis, specifically the underarms (armpits.) Widespread, generalized hyperhidrosis is a different entity not manageable with our radiofrequency device.
