For people who suffer from hyperhidrosis (otherwise known as excessive sweating), the only treatments were strong anti-perspirants, major surgery or Botox injections. However, there is a new cosmetic treatment on the market to help stop excessive sweating which also has the benefit of being minimally invasive Laser Sweat Ablation (LSA). The cosmetic procedure is relatively new with the first operation in the UK performed last month by Mark Whiteley at The Whiteley Clinic in Guildford.
Laser Sweat Ablation uses a laser to remove the sweat glands from the armpits. Without the sweat glands, no sweat is produced in the area thus the excessive sweating is stopped for good.
Sweating is an unconscious process and therefore is largely uncontrollable by the patient. Some people have overactive sweat glands and it’s just ‘one of those things’. Up until now, one of the only minimally invasive cosmetic procedures to help stop sweating is through the use of Botox which blocks the nerves that controls sweating. However as new nerves grow back, the sweating begins again and at up to £1,500 per set of injections, this can be a costly process. In contrast, the Laser Sweat Ablation method costs around £3,500 and is a permanent solution for around 80% of patients.
The patient is given a local anaesthetic in the armpit area and once this has taken effect, one or two 2mm 3mm incisions are made. A dissection tool is then used to separate the skin from the sweat glands. A surgical laser prove is then inserted into these incisions and the sweat glands are burned away from underneath the skin. A tool like a file is then used to scrub away all the dead tissue which is sucked out via a thin tube. A dressing is then applied over the incisions. Patients can normally resume normal activities the same day and when the incisions heal, should only be left with up to four small scars.
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There are TONS of baking soda cures out there. Baking soda is used for everything. It puts out fires, it cleans your teeth, it cleans dishes, it cleans clothes, it gets rid of smells and yes… it even discourages sweating!
Here’s my quick, disclaimer for those of you out there with severe hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Baking soda is not some magical cure-all. However, when used properly, you’ll TOTALLY feel a difference.
I’m going to give you a couple of baking soda cures for sweating that you’ll definitely find useful.
First, let me just really quickly explain why baking soda helps eliminate sweating so effectively…
WHY IT WORKS – Baking soda is an alkaline and your body’s sweat is an acid. When the two combine, gas is formed, causing the instant evaporation of the sweat.
So, it’s not that baking soda blocks the sweat from escaping your pores. Instead, it conditions your skin to quickly dry up as soon as the sweating begins.
When you apply the baking soda cures for sweating below, it’s the residue of the baking soda on the skin that conditions the dryness. The treatments work way better if you apply them consecutively for days on end so be consistent about it.
Baking Soda for Hand Sweating:
1. You’ll want to fill up a big bowl or two separate aluminum pie pans with warm/hot water and equal parts baking soda. The solution should be very cloudy. The baking soda will gather at the bottom, so be sure to mix it up very thoroughly.
2. Soak your hands for 25 minutes in the solution. It’s important that the water is warm or hot so your pores really open up. You want the baking soda to penetrate your skin. During that time, intermittenly grab the clumps of baking soda at the bottom of the pan or bowl and rub your hands together to really saturate them in the solution.
3. After the 25 minutes are up, your hands will be a little pruney – this is totally normal. Just dry them off with a towel. Don’t wash them off with soap and water if possible. You want to retain the residue of baking soda on your skin. Some people say they have a light powerdy look to the skin after drying them off. The more residue of the solution, the better your results will be.
Here’s what you should expect from the treatment above…
Your hands will definitely feel dry the first 30 minutes after treatment and results should last at least a couple of hours following. If you use this remedy consecutively for 5 days straight, the results can last up to 5 or 6 hours on end.
It’s normal for the skin to feel a tiny bit rubbery directly after treatment. You’ll see what I mean when you try it. Anyway, the goal is to keep them dry, so I’m sure that small side effect won’t bother you.
This cure for hand sweating works best for people with less severe cases of hyperhidrosis although EVERYONE will find some benefit.
If you’re about to go on a date or have an intimate night planned with your significant other, this treatment makes an awesome quick fix.
This next treatment I recommend for ANYONE. It’s well worth trying out.
Baking soda is well known for its odor eliminating effects. That’s because it neutralizes acids and odor causing bacteria in the body. This makes it a perfect bath additive to really give you a wonderful, fresh and dry feeling right out of the tub.
Let me tell you, I never used to take baths in my adult life. I was always a shower kinda guy. Besides, who has the time for a bath?
Well, speaking from a very positive experience using the following treatment, you NEED to make time for a “Baking Soda Bath Blast” at least once a week.
Since implementing this tactic, my overall body sweating haulted drastically.
Have you ever taken a shower and started sweating the moment you got out and began drying off? It’s terribly frustrating, right?
Well, you’ll never have that happen to you with a “Baking Soda Bath Blast”. The treatment will keep you super dry from the moment you step out of the tub. I love it! Plus, baths are just a relaxing experience overall. Here’s how it goes…
The Baking Soda Bath Blast:
1. This treatment works best if you schedule it AFTER a shower. This way you get clean with soap and water first, then you’ll just soak your already clean body in the baking soda solution without needing to wash it off with soap.
2. While you’re in the shower, use a loofah (dry sponge) to exfoliate your skin. Exfoliate your hands, feet, armpits or anywhere else you sweat profusely from. You’re going to do this to allow the baking soda to penetrate your pores more efficiently. Next, you’ll be taking the bath.
3. Fill a bath with warm water (not exceptionally hot) and add 1/2 – 1 cup of baking soda to the tub.
4. Soak for 15 – 20 minutes and make sure to grab any clumps of baking soda gathered at the bottom of the tub, rubbing it into your armpits, hands, feet, chest or back.
Give these two treatments a fair shot. That means at least 5 consecutive days of trying this out. You’ll body will need to acclimate itself to the baking soda before feeling the best results.
Excessive sweating is a really embarrassing problem leading to bad foot odour. People need to overcome their shame and seek medical help, which is available.
Certainly sweaty and smelly feet is certainly a problem which should be taken seriously as it can indicate other health problems. This sort of surgery can be a really good answer for people with real problems.
My family physician suggested ablation for excessive sweating, that basically started about a year ago. It can happen at any time and is very embarassing. My hair gets dripping wet and sweat drips down my forehead and down the sides of my cheeks. My chest and bra gets dripping wet. It is limiting my social life. I live in a cold climate, so if I get wet (clothes, hair etc.) and have to go outside I just about freeze. I never know when this will happen. The ablation is supposed to be done in my brain somewhere, does anyone know anything about this?
now I know how the loofah sponge work with baking soda….
I wish it works thank you…
I had the ets surgery done a year ago to help with my excessive sweating… I used to overheat for no reason and i would drip like a river…It was very embarassing… The surgery did help…to a point…now, I sweat even more from my chest down to my feet…the top is dry and chest down soaked…So,it was no miracle cure like i thought it would be….It was a trade off…I just want something to stop sweating totally…If you find something out about the laser surgery…Please let me know…
Thanks,
Rob…
I am plagued with this problem where the slightest exertion in nearly any physical sense, is followed by a fountain of sweat. The sweat begins at the the hairline and forehead and just starts to roll down my face. The back and sides of my head and neck also perspire as well. It has caused me considerable grief and anxiety, not to mention the fact that I am made fun of constantly. I know that excessive sweating could be from a number of things but I would like to hear from anybody with knowledge or experience on the matter.
My husband uses a product called sweat stop!