You’ve probably heard about using Botox to curb underarm sweating for the short term, but could a variation of liposuction be the more permanent answer so many with hyperhidrosis are seeking?
The removal of sweat glands from the underarm (along with a minimal amount of fat) is a relatively new and experimental use for ultrasound-assisted liposuction. The technique is said to provide relief from excessive sweating in patients whose perspiration ruins clothing and requires them to change shirts throughout the day.
The treatment is not meant to remove 100% of the sweat glands and is not guaranteed to stop all sweating and odor; the goal is to make the level of perspiration more manageable.
Performed in a surgical environment under local anesthesia with sedation, the procedure takes about one hour and involves one small incision close to the fold where the the arm meets the underarm. Most patients report soreness as the main side effect.
While traditional liposuction has been used for years to treat excessive sweating, the difference here is the use of ultrasound to further disrupt the sweat glands.
One unique risk associated with this variation: if used too close to the surface of the skin, ultrasound can result in burns.
