Treatments for Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

by Dr Mahmood on March 4, 2012

Excessive sweating is known medically as hyperhidrosis, and is where the body produces excess sweat which interferes with a person’s daily life. The most commonly affected area are the underarms. There are many hyperhidrosis treatments currently available, some are more effective than others, this article will outline the different treatments available and discuss the pros and cons each treatment.

Strong antiperspirant

Most hyperhidrosis sufferers have tried normal antiperspirants and found them to be ineffective, if this is the case, you can ask your General Practitioner (GP) to prescribe a stronger antiperspirant called Aluminium Chloride. These stronger antiperspirants work best for excessive underarm sweating by blocking the pores of the sweat glands. These strong antiperspirants may also be available over the counter at your local pharmacy, some well known brands include, Anhydrol Forte® which is available as a roll-on, Driclor® and ZeaSORB® which is available as a powder. It can take a few weeks before you notice sweat reduction from Aluminium Chloride antiperspirants and they can often cause irritation of the skin.

Medications

It is very rare that drugs such as Propantheline Bromide are prescribed by a doctor for excessive sweating, this is because these drugs often do not work well and it is very common to experience unwanted side effects from these drugs such as dry mouth and blurring of the vision.

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis uses electrical stimulation to treat excessive sweating, more recently this treatment has become less available due to the increasing popularity and effectiveness of Botox injections. Iontophoresis works by using an electrical current to block the sweat glands. The downside of this treatment is that it requires around eight sessions lasting thirty minutes each before you will notice sweat reduction and after this you will need regular maintenance sessions every four weeks to maintain the effect. The treatment is also not always successful and may cause short lived side effects such as a dryness and soreness in the mouth and throat.

Surgery

This is often a last resort for sufferers of excessive sweating, where they have tried other treatments and they have not worked or have caused many side effects. For excessive underarm sweating the sweat glands can be removed surgically by making an incision in the armpit. The obvious downside of surgical treatment is that is has an increased risk of surgical complications such as scarring, bleeding, including risks from having an anaesthetic and rarely reduced function of the treated arm.

Botulinum toxin injections

By far the most effective and hassle free treatment for underarm sweating is Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) injections. The treatment can be performed at medical and cosmetic clinics and takes around twenty minutes and involves having lots of small injections just under the skin of each underarm. The injections are relatively painless and can feel like a small sting. Botox injections work by blocking the nerves in the underarm that control sweat glands. The main benefit of this treatment compared to the alternatives is that the treatment is very straightforward and there are relatively few side effects which may include a little soreness in the area treated and very rarely allergy to the injections. The treatment is very effective, usually resulting in a 90% reduction in underarm sweating that and can last for up to six months from just one treatment session.

Face Clinic London offer Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) injections for underarm sweating treatment at their Soho and Harley Street clinics in Central London. To book a consultation please book online, or email us at book@facecliniclondon.com or call us on 08456044992. Please read our excessive sweating treatment page to find out more about hyperhidrosis.

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Chemical Peels for Treating Acne

by Dr Mahmood on February 16, 2012

Almost every teenager has suffered acne at some point, in some it can be mild with just a few pimples or “zits” occurring every so often. However acne can be more severe in other teenagers, giving rise to spots called whiteheads, blackheads, and in more severe cases larger red, inflamed spots called cysts. These skin pimples, spots and cysts can change the tone of the skin, leaving a darker tone and severe acne can in some cases leave scarring.

Acne occurs when pores in the skin, which can be thought of as small holes on the surface of the skin become blocked or clogged. They can become blocked if glands in the skin produce too much oil, or if dirt, bacteria or dead skin cells block the pores. The blockage causes swelling, pimples and cysts. Acne is common in teenagers as the hormonal changes during puberty can cause excess oils in the skin. However it is not just teenagers who suffer from acne, adults can also develop acne later on in life, which is called adult acne.

Adult acne is caused by the same underlying process where oily material can clog the pores of the skin allowing bacteria to grow, leading to skin pimples. Adult acne can be triggered by changes in hormones, especially in women, particularly related to their menstrual cycle, just before their period, during menopause, pregnancy and if they are taking certain medications such as steroids. Some types of makeup can also clog the pores of the skin, particularly if the makeup is thick or greasy. Changes in the environment can also make you more prone to acne; such has high humidity levels which may cause excess sweating and over secretion of oils on the skin.

Chemical peels are a very good treatment for mild and moderate adult acne. Chemical peels work by exfoliating the skin; this process cleanses the skin of the dirt and removes dead skin cells which have clogged the pores. This reduces the formation of acne pimples and spots. The best type of chemical peel for reducing excess oils is a superficial salicylic acid peel which is offered by Face Clinic London. Chemical peels may also help to reduce some of the skin discolouration and uneven skin tone caused by acne.

Chemical peels are a very cost effective option for acne treatment. They are also a very safe treatment for acne. Superficial chemical skin peels are applied to the affected areas to exfoliate and cleanse the top layers of the skin, removing the dead skin cells. A course of six peels is usually recommended, each performed at least one week apart. This will result in a noticeable improvement in the skin texture and visibly reduce the amount of acne breakouts.

Make sure to approach a credible skin care clinic for your chemical peel acne treatment. Before embarking on treatment with chemical peels for acne, it is important to consult a reputable chemical peel London clinic to obtain advice on how the chemical peel treatment will benefit your skin type. To find out more about chemical peels or to book an appointment for chemical peels please visit our peels page.

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How Can Skin Peels Help You?

by Dr Mahmood on February 2, 2012

We all want smooth, unblemished skin and this feeling increases as we grow old and start seeing signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Many women can lose their self confidence once they start seeing the first signs of aging. If you too are worried about your skin condition and are looking for a reliable way to restore your skin then a skin peel could be your solution. Superficial chemical peels are a good option for many as they are applied lightly to the top layer of the skin, they are a non-invasive wrinkle treatment and require no time off work or “downtime”.

Chemical skin peels are a simple and effective way to restore your skin’s natural beauty. Chemical peels will help you reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your skin. Skin peels can remove the dead cells on your skins top layer which can appear as rough skin to reveal more radiant skin which is free from very fine lines.

If you have blemishes on your skin such as large freckles, age spots or liver spots, the use of a reliable and effective skin peel will help to reduce the appearance of these spots. Your skin will become smooth and supple with the use of chemical peels giving you a younger look. Chemical peels also have a very positive effect on people suffering from acne; they can reduce the inflammation and pimples in acne sufferers.

People who use chemical peels also report that their skin tone can become more even. This is particularly beneficial for people who suffer with hyperpigmentation or excess pigment in the skin, and people suffering from melasma, a hormonal condition where the skin can become darker.

A superficial chemical peel is not painful and therefore no pain relief if needed before, during or after the procedure. It is usually recommended that a course of six peels is given one or two weeks are apart, to get the best results from superficial chemical peels.

This is an effective skin treatment that is not only safe but also highly effective. You just need to find a reputable Chemical Peel London centre to provide you with a reliable skin peel treatment. We recommend booking a pre peel consultation with a beauty therapist to discuss your skin type and run through the procedure. The peel procedure and consultation can take around 30 minutes. Under the guidance of an experienced beauty therapist you can again restore the natural beauty of your skin.

Chemical peels are performed at Face Clinic London, at our Soho clinic only from Monday to Saturday 11am to 7pm, to book a chemical peel consultation and treatment please call our Soho Clinic on 0845 6044 992 after our 11am opening time or email us at book@facecliniclondon.com. Please note, chemical peels cannot be booked online or performed at our Harley Street Clinic. To find out more please read our Chemical Peels page.

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What is a Chemical Peel

by Dr Mahmood on January 7, 2012

A chemical peel is a skin treatment which is used to improve and smooth out the surface of the facial skin. A chemical solution is used to remove top layers of skin which allows the dead surface skin to peel off. The peeling process leads to new skin growth which is usually smoother, healthier and less wrinkled compared to the old skin.

Superficial chemical peels are a good option for many people as they have a gentler effect, require no pain relief, and can be used in more skin types, including darker skin tones, with little or no “down time” or recovery time.

Chemical peels are used to treat a variety of skin conditions such as acne by exfoliating the skin. This allows dead skin cells to be removed more effectively and excess oils on the skin are also removed. This action unblocks hair follicles and pores and reduces the appearance of acne pimples and improves the texture of damaged skin.

Chemical peels can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles especially under the eyes and around the mouth in sun damaged or ageing skin. They can also smooth out rough skin texture and reduce the appearance of large freckles, liver spots and age spots. They are also commonly used in people with excess pigmentation and uneven skin tone as peels can lighten and even out the tone of the skin.

Whilst you may see minor benefits after a single superficial peel, best results are seen after a course of six peels, performed two weeks apart. Superficial peels are gentler and so the full benefits build up over a course of six treatments. It is also advised to prepare the skin with creams for two weeks before the peel and to continue these, during and after the peel course. These products will improve the results of the peel.

The procedure itself takes ten minutes and is pain free. After your peel you may notice that the skin is more red than usual for two hours, and you may experience some very mild flaking of the skin for a few days. You will be advised to avoid physical activity for 24 hours after and facials for one week after your peel. It is very important to use a sunscreen during the course of your treatment and for four weeks after to prevent uneven skin tone and excess pigmentation.

Face Clinic London are proud announce the launch of our Skinceuticals chemical peel service. Chemical peels are performed at our Soho clinic only from Monday to Saturday 11am to 7pm, to book a chemical peel consultation and treatment please call our Soho Clinic on 0845 6044 992 after our 11am opening time or email us at book@facecliniclondon.com . Please note, chemical peels cannot be booked online or performed at our Harley Street Clinic. To find out more please read our Chemical Peels FAQ page.

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How to Stop Sweating

by Dr Mahmood on September 13, 2011

Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis as it is medically known is excessive sweat production by the body. Sweating is an important bodily function, however when there is severe sweating which interferes with a person’s day to day life, this is known as hyperhidrosis. The most common affected areas are the underarms, soles of the feet and palms of the hands.

It is possible to reduce the amount of sweat produced and control the condition. First and foremost there are several lifestyle changes that can help.

  • Avoid excessively hot or spicy foods as this can be trigger for hyperhidrosis.
  • Some people find that soaps can irritate the skin, if this is the case use a soap substitute to wash, such as Aqueous cream or other moisturisers.
  • Use antiperspirants instead of deodorants. Deodorants simply mask smells whereas antiperspirants reduce the amount of sweat produced.
  • Wear black and white clothes which don’t show up sweat marks easily compared to coloured clothes.
  • Wear loose fitting clothing under the arms.
  • Avoid man made fabrics such as nylon, polyester or Lycra, which do not allow the skin to “breathe” and may trigger hyperhidrosis. Choose fabrics like cotton or silk instead.
  • “Dress shields” or “sweat shields” are available for purchase online. These can help protect clothing against sweat by absorbing excess amounts.
  • Socks should be changed at least once, if not twice a day.
  • An absorbent foot powder should be placed in shoes everyday.
  • Different shoes should be worn on consecutive days so that they can dry out fully before being worn again.
  • Sports shoes or boots should be avoided as they do not allow the feet “breathe”.

If the above methods have been tried and excessive sweating is still a problem, then there are other ways that sweat levels can be controlled. The first thing to try is a strong antiperspirant that contains aluminium chloride to block the sweat duct openings. These are available at a local pharmacy or via your General Practitioner.

If aluminium chloride has been tried and is deemed ineffective, then Botulinum toxin injections (Botox) should be considered. Botox injections are an effective treatment for reducing armpit sweating. This treatment blocks the nerves in the skin which control the sweat glands thus reducing the amount of sweat. The treatment is safe and effective and lasts for around six months.

To find out more about Botox injections for underarm sweating at Face Clinic London visit their excessive sweating page. To make an appointment book online, call 08456044992 or email book@facecliniclondon.com

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What is Hyperhidrosis

by Dr Mahmood on July 8, 2011

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for frequent or excessive sweating. Sweating is the body’s natural cooling mechanism, but when the body produces more sweat than is necessary to cool the body, this is known as hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating is most common on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and the underarms.

The excessive sweating can disrupt everyday life. Someone suffering with this condition may refrain from taking part in sport or other recreational activities. Severe sweating can cause severe social anxiety can be embarrassing. There are three types of this condition.

Primary focal hyperhidrosis

Primary focal hyperhidrosis affects three per cent of people and is where there is excessive sweating that affects one or more of the following parts of the body, including palms of the hands, the soles of feet, the underarms and the face or scalp. The rest of the body however sweats normally. There may be certain triggers to the sweating such as stress, anxiety, emotion, heat and spicy foods. The condition usually begins in early adulthood. There is no real known cause of this, it is believed the sweat glands in these areas are just more sensitive than normal and there is evidence that it may be partly genetic and run in families.

It can be an embarrassing problem forcing people to change their clothes frequently, avoid social situations and can affect their confidence and performance at work. The constant wet patches can also cause soreness and irritation to the skin. This type of excessive sweating can be easily and effectively treated with Botox injections.

Secondary focal hyperhidrosis

This is a rare type of hyperhidrosis where excessive sweating occurs in one particular place and there is a known cause. For example someone with a rare spinal or nerve problem may find their leg sweats excessively.

Generalised hyperhidrosis

This is the term used for a person who sweats excessively all over their body. This too is not as common as primary hyperhidrosis and is often a symptom of another medical problem such as infection, an overactive thyroid gland, side effect to a certain drug or anxiety. Having a blood test via your General Practitioner can help diagnose this type of hyperhidrosis.

Excessive sweating affecting the underarms can be successfully treated with Botox injections at Face Clinic London, the treatment costs £380 and is performed by a doctor. To make an appointment you can book online, call 08456044992 or email us at book@facecliniclondon.com.

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Botox and Side Effects: Allaying Fears

by Dr Mahmood on February 27, 2011

Botox is a quick and effective way of treating wrinkles on the face. The common areas that are treated are the frown lines, forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and smokers lines. One of the questions or fears that people have regarding the usage of Botox as anti-aging procedure to remove wrinkles is whether injecting Botox is a generally a safe treatment procedure and whether there are any side effects.

Botox is a very safe treatment; there are no permanent side effects from Botox. However depending on the skill and experience of the person injecting you can rarely be left with a less than ideal result.  Poor injection technique or injecting excessively high doses can cause drooping of the eyebrow. When this happens it is not permanent and usually wears off from between one to four weeks.

Injecting excessively high doses of Botox can leave some with a “frozen” or startled appearance which is less than ideal. It is better to have a little movement around the frown and forehead which will appear natural.

Botox is not recommended if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Although there have not been any actual reports of harm caused to the unborn child, it is not advisable to have Botox Injections in these cases.

Botox is also used with caution in patients with chronic medical conditions such as Myasthenia Gravis, Eaton Lambert syndrome or those suffering from Bell’s palsy as it may exacerbate or make the symptoms of these diseases more noticeable.  If you are suffering from a medical condition and would like to find out whether Botox treatment is advisable, you should talk to a Botox doctor.

Many Botox clinics now offer free consultations for their clients. This is a good way to for you to meet the clinic staff and doctor before deciding on having the treatment. The doctor can go through the different options to ensure Botox is right for you, and they can check your medical history to ensure that it is fine for you to have the procedure.

Injecting Botox is a skilled procedure and should be carried out by a registered and insured medical professional such as a doctor or a nurse. The treatment itself can take around ten to fifteen minutes.  After having the treatment you should follow the post procedure advice. This usually entails avoiding alcohol, excessive exercise, sauna’s steam rooms and facials for at least 24 hours.

Finally don’t expect the Botox to work straight away, as it usually takes about four to seven days for the treatment to start working. The effects usually last for an average of three months.

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What You Should Know Before Botox Treatments

by Dr Mahmood on February 3, 2011

Are you planning to go for Botox injections to reduce your wrinkles? Before you go for your Botox injections you must spend time to understand how Botox works and whether Botox injections will offer you the required results. This will help you make a well informed decision about your Botox treatments and in identifying the best place to get your Botox treatments.

Botox treatment is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure used to reduce wrinkles in your face. It is one of the most popular and effective anti-aging treatment procedures available. This treatment involves injecting Botox into the desired facial muscles. Pain relief or anaesthesia is not necessary before the procedure because it is not a painful procedure. The pain level will be something similar to a small pin prick.

Your Botox London specialist will decide on the quantity of Botox to be used and the location of Botox injections depending on depth of the lines and wrinkles visible. After having undergone Botox treatment, you will be able to see the results within four to seven days.

Botox treatment is not permanent, and its effect will last for an average of three months.  However with regular Botox injections, the treatment can last longer with improved effectiveness.

You should consult a reputable Botox London clinic for a consultation before considering having treatment. Your Botox specialist will give you a complete run down of your Botox treatment and prepare you for the procedure.  A full medical history is usually undertaken by the doctor prior to the treatment. The treatment is generally not recommended if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Botox injections are highly effective in reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles in the upper third of the face. Your Botox specialist will establish whether Botox treatment will be suitable for you. You should therefore approach a reliable and trustworthy Botox treatment clinic.

The effectiveness of your Botox injections will depend greatly on the experience of your Botox doctor. Experienced Botox specialists will be able to create a natural look. It is therefore important to choose a good Botox treatment centre so that you do not end up with a “frozen appearance”.

The treatment usually takes about 10 minutes. It is a walk-in procedure and can be performed during a lunch break.

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The Benefits Of Semi Permanent Make Up

by Dr Mahmood on October 18, 2010

Semi permanent make up is growing in popularity, it is a type of cosmetic tattooing that uses pharmaceutical grade pigments applied to the skin.  The aim of the treatment is to give a permanent natural make up appearance that perfectly complements the skin tone using the right combination of pigments to enhance natural features.   The permanent make up is applied by a highly qualified technician who is skilled in assessing individual facial features with the aim to give a treatment result which enhances the natural beauty of the face.

Semi permanent make up applied to the eyebrows can be used to frame the face and improve the shape and definition of the eyebrows. Three dimensional hair simulation techniques can give the appearance of hair growth for those with patchy hair growth.  Semi permanent makeup can be applied to the eyelids to enhance the natural eye line to make the eyes appear bigger and brighter. Semi permanent make up can also be used on the lip border as permanent lip liner to achieve fuller more defined lips without the use of dermal fillers, It is also used on the lip body to add permanent colour to the lips.

Semi permanent makeup is increasingly being used by both men and women who have little time to spare to apply make up regularly. It allows them to enhance their natural beauty and look great all the time without having to carry around make up bags. It is also used by sports men and women, as there is no smudging after swimming, raining, or after working out at the gym.  It is also used by people with disabilities such as neurological weakness or tremor who may find it difficult to apply makeup evenly every day.  Semi permanent make up can be applied to thicken the eyebrows in those people with medical conditions such as alopecia resulting in thinning hair or hair loss on their eyebrows. Finally it can be used in people with scarring of the lip line or eyebrow to reduce the appearance of the scar.

The treatment is safe and is carried out with the highest hygiene standards.  A topical anaesthetic cream can be applied to the skin before the procedure to numb the treatment area. It is a relatively pain free procedure, no more painful than having your eyebrows tweezed. The procedure itself takes about 90 minutes and the make up will last an average of three years. To make an appointment for semi permanent make up please contact Face Clinic London on 08456044992 or book online.

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Face Clinic Launches Semi Permanent Make Up Service

by Dr Mahmood on October 17, 2010

Face Clinic London launched in 2009 providing non surgical aesthetic treatments including Botox, dermal fillers and sweating treatment in Soho and Harley Street in Central London. They have now teamed up with a highly qualified beauty technician to provide a Semi Permanent make up service.

Semi permanent make up is a type of cosmetic tattooing that uses pharmaceutical grade pigments applied to the skin.  The aim of the treatment is to give a natural make up appearance that perfectly complements your skin tone using the right combination of pigments to enhance your natural features.   The make up can be used to frame the face and give fuller more defined eyebrows.  It can be used on the eyelids as eye liner to enhance the natural eye line.  It is also used on the lips add colour to the lips and on the lip line to achieve fuller more defined lips.

Our highly qualified technician has trained with Nouveau Contour, the industry leaders in semi permanent cosmetic tattoos. She has a fine art background giving her an innate understanding of aesthetics and colour theory. She is skilled in assessing individual facial features to give a treatment result which enhances the natural beauty of the face.

Semi permanent makeup is increasingly being used by both men and women who want to enhance their natural beauty and look great all the time without having to carry around and regularly apply makeup. Semi permanent makeup allows you to wake up every morning looking fresh faced without needing to apply makeup. No more smudging after swimming, raining, or after working out at the gym.

The treatment is safe and is carried out with the highest hygiene standards.  A topical anaesthetic will be used to numb the area before the procedure. It’s no more painful than having your eyebrows tweezed. The procedure itself takes about 90 minutes and the make up will last an average of three years.  Prices start from £450. To make an appointment book online, or call Face Clinic London on 0845 6044 992, or email book@facecliniclondon.com.

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