Approximately seven million Americans are plagued by excessive underarm sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis) to the point that it interferes with daily activities. Now there is a revolutionary treatment to reduce the underarm sweating, PrecisionTx. PrecisionTx delivers laser energy to destroy eccrine sweat glands, and dramatically reduce sweat production. Our plastic surgery center is one of the select few that offers the treatment of excessive sweating in Los Angeles.
Patients that suffer from axillary hyperhidrosis complain that it interferes with activities of daily living, and would have to avoid going out in to public altogether. Topical treatments with aluminum chloride antiperspirant can help reduce the symptoms, but is often inadequate and may cause irritation. Injections of botulinum toxin can significantly improve symptoms, requires treatment every three to six months, and ends up being quite expensive. Excision of the axillary skin along with the sweat glands treats the condition and is a good treatment plan when combined with brachioplasty to remove loose upper arm skin, but results in a visible scar with a longer recovery time.
PrecisionTx is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in the office and takes about an hour. Patients are awake, and the treatment is very well tolerated. A discreet 3mm incision is created in the armpit skin and local anesthetic is delivered under the skin. Then, the laser fiber is introduced under the skin to deliver 1440nm laser wavelength which targets water, so it directly ablates the axillary sweat glands. The laser energy is specifically directed toward the sweat glands. There may be some minor bruising in the area that typically resolves in 1-2 weeks. The reduction of sweating will be evident immediately. Normal activity can be resumed the next day. Exercise and strenuous activity can be resumed after 2 weeks. This is a well tolerated procedure.
Treatment of axillary sweating can be performed in conjunction with other procedures, like liposuction of the upper arms with SmartLipo, or laser assisted liposuction. It is not uncommon to treat underarm sweating and perform liposuction of the upper arms, front bra rolls, and axilla all during the same procedure.