What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is when your body produces way more sweat than it actually needs to cool you down. We’re not talking about the normal sweat you get after a good workout or during a scorching Australian summer on the Sunshine Coast. This is your body sweating buckets even when you’re sitting still in an air-conditioned room.
Your sweat glands basically go into overdrive. They’re like that mate who doesn’t know when to stop talking – except in this case, they don’t know when to stop sweating.
How Common Is It?
Here’s something that might surprise you – hyperhidrosis affects roughly 4.4% of Australians, which works out to about 1.2 million people across the country. That’s more people than live in Adelaide! Research from the US shows it impacts around 4.8% of their population, and Australian data suggests similar rates.
Women tend to be more affected than men, and the condition usually kicks in during childhood or adolescence. However, some people don’t experience it until they’re adults.
Two Types: Primary vs Secondary
There are two main types of hyperhidrosis, and understanding which one you have makes a big difference for treatment.
Primary Hyperhidrosis is the most common type. Another medical condition or medication does not cause it – the excessive sweating is the condition. This type usually affects specific areas like your hands, feet, underarms, or face. It often runs in families, so if your mum or dad had sweaty palms, you might have inherited more than just their eyes.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis happens because of something else, like medication side effects, diabetes, thyroid problems, or menopause. This type usually causes sweating all over your body, not just in specific spots.
Where Does It Strike?
The most common spots for excessive sweating are:
- Palms of your hands
- Soles of your feet
- Underarms
- Face and scalp
Many people don’t just sweat in one area – if you’ve got sweaty palms, you’ll likely have sweaty feet too. It’s like your body’s gone for the full package deal.
The Real Impact: More Than Just Sweat
Here’s where it gets serious. Hyperhidrosis isn’t just about being a bit damp – it can genuinely mess with your life. You might find yourself avoiding handshakes, struggling to hold objects, or constantly worrying about sweat stains on your clothes.
The psychological impact is huge. Many people with hyperhidrosis report feeling socially isolated and withdrawing from activities. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and seriously knock your confidence. Up to 32% of people with social anxiety also experience hyperhidrosis.
Treatment Options
The good news? There are plenty of treatment options available in Australia.
Starting Simple
Most doctors will start with strong antiperspirants containing aluminium chloride. These aren’t your regular supermarket deodorants – they’re medical-grade products that can be used on hands, feet, and underarms.
Sweat Reducing Medical Treatment: The Gold Standard for Hyperhidrosis
Sweat reducing medical treatments aren’t just for smoothing out crow’s feet – they’re actually one of the most effective treatments available for hyperhidrosis. These treatments work by temporarily blocking the nerve signals that trigger excessive sweating, helping to reduce activity in overactive sweat glands.
As the ingredients are prescribed medicines, we cannot name the product by its known brand name or list unit or syringe pricing, as per TGA advertising codes and our regulating body, AHPRA.
We offer consultations, assessments and quotations with our registered Nurses to determine how to achieve an optimal result for you.
The results speak for themselves. Research shows that these treatments can reduce underarm sweating by a massive 82-87%. You’ll start noticing the difference within 2-4 days, with full effects kicking in within two weeks. The best part? The results typically last 4-12 months, with some patients experiencing relief for up to 14 months.
What makes this treatment particularly appealing is its straightforward nature. The procedure can be completed during your lunch break – we can treat both underarms in under 10 minutes. You’ll be able to return to your normal activities immediately, although you may want to skip the intense gym session or sauna on the day of treatment.
Genius RF Microneedling: The Innovative Game-Changer
Here’s where things get exciting. The Cosmetic Studio Noosa offers Genius RF microneedling – a revolutionary treatment that combines the power of radiofrequency energy with precision microneedling. This isn’t your average beauty treatment; it’s a sophisticated approach that can tackle hyperhidrosis while simultaneously improving your skin quality.
Genius RF works by delivering controlled radiofrequency energy through insulated micro-needles directly into the deeper layers of your skin. This process creates thousands of micro-coagulation zones that trigger your body’s natural healing response while specifically targeting and deactivating overactive sweat glands.
Recent clinical studies have shown promising results for fractional radiofrequency microneedling in the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis. In multicenter trials involving 45 patients, this treatment demonstrated significant reductions in hyperhidrosis severity scores, particularly for patients who had previously failed with other non-invasive treatments.
What sets Genius RF apart is its versatility. Unlike other treatments that only address sweating, this procedure simultaneously stimulates collagen production, improves skin texture, and can help with skin tightening. You’re essentially getting multiple benefits in one treatment session.
The Cosmetic Studio Noosa even includes a HEALITE II LED therapy after each session to speed up your skin’s recovery process.
The treatment typically requires 2-4 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart, depending on the severity of your condition. While you might experience some mild side effects like pinpoint bleeding or temporary swelling, most people find these subside within 3-4 days.
Getting Help: Don’t Suffer in Silence
Here’s something important – only about one-third of people with hyperhidrosis seek help. That’s a real shame because effective treatments are available.
If you’re dealing with excessive sweating, don’t just grin and bear it. Book an appointment with one of the Registered Nurses from The Cosmetic Studio Noosa, who can help determine the type of hyperhidrosis you have and develop the best treatment plan for your situation.