What is Hyperhydrosis
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating. Sweating is one of the most important ways
in which the body loses heat; however, people with hyperhidrosis produce sweat
in amounts far greater than needed to control their temperature.
What's happening in the body to cause hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is caused by over activity of one type of sweat gland, the
eccrine gland.
Many things can trigger normal sweating and this is also true for hyperhidrosis
- it's just the amount of sweating that's different. Examples include:
- Exercise
- Stress, anxiety or strong emotions
- Heat or cold
- Certain times of the day
- Alcohol, coffee or tea, smoking or spicy food
People with hyperhidrosis can produce a large amount of sweat. This means that
the armpits may be constantly damp. This can cause embarrassment at work or
socially, and it may make normal everyday activities more difficult to carry
out. But it is not true that hyperhidrosis causes body odour: the smell that
some think is due to sweating is in fact caused by bacteria on the skin if the
sweat remains on the skin for a long time.
What can I do about Hyperhidrosis?
Simple self-help measures you can take include:
Choose clothing that will keep you cool. Natural fibres are cool but they
absorb sweat and can remain damp; some synthetic fibres are warm but they wick
sweat away from the body and feel dry.
Keep your work environment cool and well aired
Avoid the food and drinks that trigger sweating; these will be different for
everyone and you will probably know what causes problems for you
Stress, tension and anxiety are common problems for everyone, though people
with hyperhidrosis have the extra difficulties of coping with sweating. Think
about how you can reduce stress during the day: plan your activities carefully
and make time to relax
Odour can be prevented by attention to personal hygiene (such as frequent
showers); although this will not be convenient for people who constantly sweat,
it is an effective and simple measure to take.
How do Botox® work?
Botox® are recommended for the treatment of hyperhidrosis.
When small doses are injected into the skin, Botox® block
the actions of the nerves that supply the eccrine glands: this prevents the
glands from producing sweat. The effects of treatment last for several months
but eventually they will wear off.
What happens during a course of treatment with Botox®?
Every client will have iodine and starch powder applied to the underarm area in
order to delineate the areas of maximal sweat production. Using a very fine
needle, you will be injected with a small amount of solution into 10 to 15
places about 1 cm apart and spread evenly in each armpit. A course of treatment
takes about 20 minutes.
How soon does it work and how long will it last?
The effects of treatment will become apparent over the first week. Clients tend
to return for their next treatment on average every 6-8 months.
How effective are Botox® at reducing sweating?
Different people have different responses to treatment. In a clinical trial,
the average reduction in sweat production one week after treatment was 87% and
sweating was reduced by at least half in 95% of patients.
What happens if I decide to stop treatment?
The effects of Botox® wear off over a period of several
months. If you decide not to have more treatment there will be no lasting
change in the areas treated and sweating will gradually return to the level it
was before you started treatment.
PRICES > |
TOP OF PAGE ^
The Obagi Protocols System Skin Care Regime
The Obagi Protocols System offer you unique, unprecedented solutions for skin
health and rejuvenation with impressive results.
Blemishes, acne scars, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and sun damage are all
common conditions which affect your skin. If you suffer with any of these
conditions or you just want healthier, smoother looking skin, there is now a
new way to dramatically improve your complexion.
Following years of research, Dr Obagi, a Californian dermatologist, formulated a
skin care regime which optimises skin conditioning and health.
The regime is simple and is tailored to each individual’s skin. Retinova® 0.05%
is used once or twice daily depending on the extent of fine lines and wrinkles.
Following a set of simple steps of cleansing, toning, correction followed by
exfoliation (mornings) or stimulation with Retinova® 0.05% (evenings) will
result in increased cell turnover, correction of pigmentation problems and
stimulation of collagen formation in the deeper layers of the dermis.
You will find that your skin is smoother and more supple with a visible
reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.
The Obagi Blue Peel
Dr St John offers two depths of chemical facial peel :-
| 1.
|
Deep Exfoliative (weekend) Peel
|
|
This peel is suited to those requesting a "skin refreshener" as a
result of which the skin does not generally take more than three days to heal.
There is therefore minimal downtime for those unable to take a week off work. A
15% concentration of trichloracetic acid is used mixed with Obagi blue dye.
Peeling is restricted to the epidermis only, the procedure taking about twenty
minutes.
This peel will refresh dull skin and will remove superficial blemishes and
pigmentation.
|
2.
|
Standard Blue Peel
|
|
This is a medium depth peel. The skin will generally take seven to
ten days to heal, so clients will need to take a week off work. A 15% or 20%
concentration of trichloracetic acid is used mixed with the Obagi blue dye.
Repeated applications are made to the desired depth. Peeling reaches the upper
dermis. The procedure takes about forty minutes. This peel will result in the
following benefits:-
skin refinement
reduction in pore size
removal of blemishes and pigmented areas
reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
skin tightening, dependant on peel depth
removal of superficial e.g. acne scarring
|
Pre-peel Requirements
All clients need to use the Obagi Protocols skin regime for at least 3 weeks
prior to peeling. The better the skin condition prior to peeling, the faster
the healing process afterwards. Darker skin tones tend to need a longer period
of skin conditioning prior to peeling. Black skin, for example, needs
conditioning for 2 to 3 months prior to peeling.
Clients are advised to stop the active products no 3, 4, 5 and Tretinoin 3 days
prior to their peel.
Cold Sore Treatment
Susceptible clients are advised to cover the procedure with a course of
Acyclovir 200 mg five times daily for seven days.
Pain Relief
The Obagi Blue Peel is a painful procedure. However, much can be done to lessen
the discomfort experienced.
Dr St John offers diclofenac sodium (Voltarol) and paracetamol to be taken with
food one hour prior to the procedure. Particularly anxious clients are offered
a small dose of diazepam (Vallium). Oral morphine salts (Oramorph) can be used
to aid analgesia during medium depth peels. Clients receiving anxiolytics or
morphine salts are advised in advance that they cannot drive following the
procedure.
The Peel Procedure
Dr St John will run through the procedure with you and ask you to sign a
consent form. She will repeat the aftercare instructions which are printed for
you to take home.
You will be made comfortable on a couch with a convector fan placed nearby. A
predetermined concentration of tricholacetic acid peel mixture will be applied
in layers until the desired depth is achieved. Time is taken between
applications to cool your face with the fan until discomfort eases. When the
procedure is complete, your face will be gently cleansed to remove much of the
blue dye. It is usual that some of the blue dye will remain, however, until
peeling starts to occur during the days following the procedure. You may,
therefore, be advised not to plan to take public transport home.
Aftercare during the week following your Peel
You may notice some swelling the day following a standard peel. You will be
instructed to cleanse your face twice daily and to apply a mixture of Obagi
action and comfort gel four times daily. This regime should be continued until
peeling is complete. The onset and duration of peeling varies according to the
depth of your peel. It is important that you do not aid peeling by picking, as
this can result in areas of scarring. Peeling must be allowed to progress
naturally. Peeling skin can be clipped with scissors but must not be pulled
off.
Aftercare one to six weeks following your Peel
Once peeling is complete you will be advised to gradually reintroduce your
Obagi Protocols skin regime with the aid of written instructions. It is common
following a standard peel that the face is temporarily pinker than usual.
Within a few weeks your usual skin tone returns as you reintroduce your Obagi
skin care regime.
Your skin will look its radiant best about 6 weeks following a standard blue
peel.
Follow Up Visits
Dr St John will be in close contact with you in the week following a standard
peel, to attend to any queries you may have. Provided all goes well, she will
arrange to see you six weeks following your peel. At this visit skin
maintenance will be discussed. It is not usual to need a repeat standard blue
peel within a year. However, clients with, for example, severe acne scarring,
pronounced wrinkles, or stubborn pigmented areas may well benefit from a repeat
peel. The timing of a repeat peel would be discussed at this visit.
Obagi Skincare in the Long Term
Whether you have a peel or not, the Obagi, Protocols skin regime will optimise
your skins condition in the long term. Once your skin has been conditioned,
until the desired effects are achieved, by twice daily application of the Obagi
products, you are instructed to start a maintenance regime. This involves using
the active products (no 3, 4, 5 and 0.05% Retinova) twice weekly according to
written instructions which will be given to you. This maintenance regime should
be continued long term. However, you may be advised to periodically boost your
skin's health by restarting the twice daily regime for a period of six weeks.
Dr St John will discuss the most appropriate long term plan for your particular
skin and answer any questions you may have.
PRICES > | TOP OF PAGE^
