Hyperhidrosis is a common yet often overlooked medical condition that causes excessive sweating due to overactive sweat glands. It can significantly impact a person’s daily life, confidence and emotional well-being. However, many people still struggle to find clear, helpful information about it. This article breaks down what hyperhidrosis is, its symptoms and the most effective hyperhidrosis treatments, such as muscle-relaxing injections and miraDry.

What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition which causes individuals to sweat excessively due to overactive sweat glands. Hyperhidrosis affects around 5% of the global population and yet there are still limited treatments available for the condition. It has no obvious cause and can affect all areas of the body, but most commonly people experience heavy sweating from:

  • Underarms
  • Palms of the hands
  • Soles of the feet
  • Scalp and face

Common Symptoms and Signs of Hyperhidrosis

Sweating is a natural response to heat, physical activity or stress. However, people with hyperhidrosis experience excess sweating no matter the temperature or environment. They cannot regulate sweat production, making standard deodorants or antiperspirants ineffective.

If you’re sweating excessively even in cool conditions or during rest, you may be experiencing primary hyperhidrosis. 

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Visible sweating occurs even when you’re not exerting yourself. Many individuals with hyperhidrosis notice beads of sweat on their skin or sweat-soaked clothing while sitting or resting.

• Sweating interferes with daily activities, such as writing, walking or turning a doorknob. In some cases, sweat can drip onto papers, keyboards or other surfaces, making tasks uncomfortable or difficult.

• Skin may become soft and white and begin to peel in areas that remain wet for extended periods due to constant moisture.

• Frequent skin infections can develop in areas affected by heavy sweating. Conditions like athlete’s foot and jock itch are common in those with hyperhidrosis, due to the consistently damp skin environment.

How Does This Condition Affect People?

Hyperhidrosis impacts more than just the body – it affects your mental health, confidence and daily life. Many people with this condition carry spare clothing, avoid physical contact such as handshakes or withdraw from social situations due to embarrassment.

While excessive sweating isn’t usually harmful to physical health, it can have a major impact on emotional well-being. Constant worry about visible sweat or unwanted odour dramatically affects people’s quality of life and can often lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. 

How to Treat Hyperhidrosis Effectively

While many turn to armpit shields and a range of antiperspirants, these often don’t address the root cause. They are more like applying a plaster over the problem. 

At MediZen we offer two treatments to help reduce or stop sweat production. These treatments are miraDry and muscle relaxing injections. They both target the sweat glands directly, making them the most effective way to treat hyperhidrosis. 

Muscle relaxing injections

Muscle relaxing injections are used beyond cosmetic use, but are a highly effective hyperhidrosis treatment, especially for hands, feet and the scalp. It works in the armpit the same way it works on facial muscles. These injections block the neurotransmitter that sends signals from the nerves to your sweat glands, essentially stopping the signal that tells your body to sweat. This hyperhidrosis treatment provides relief that lasts between 4 and 12 months.

miraDry

MiraDry is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that permanently reduces excessive underarm sweating, also known as axillary hyperhidrosis. This treatment works by using thermal energy to safely heat and eliminate sweat and odour glands in the underarms. Once these glands are destroyed, they do not grow back. This makes miraDry one of the most effective hyperhidrosis treatments that permanently eliminates underarm sweating and body odour.

The procedure is performed using a specialised device that cools and protects the surface of the skin while precisely heating the deeper layers where the sweat glands are located. Results are seen just after one treatment, helping minimise heavy underarm sweating and body odour. 

If you’re looking for a permanent, non-surgical solution to underarm sweating and odour, miraDry is one of the most effective options available.

Should I Choose Muscle Relaxing Injections or miraDry for Sweaty Underarms?

When deciding between muscle-relaxing injections and miraDry for your hyperhidrosis treatment, it really comes down to three key factors: 

  • What area does the sweating occur
  • How long do you want the results to last 
  • What fits your budget

If you’re looking for an underarm sweat treatment, miraDry is the clear choice. It permanently reduces underarm sweat and odour by targeting the sweat glands at the source. Long-term this is a much more cost-effective choice and is extremely effective for reducing underarm sweat.

On the other hand, if your sweating occurs in areas like the hands, feet and scalp, muscle-relaxing injections are the best choice.  They are a highly effective treatment option at a more affordable price. They temporarily reduce sweating significantly and are more accessible for many patients.

To make miraDry more accessible, we also offer flexible payment plans to help you manage the cost.

Hyperhidrosis Treatments at MediZen

At MediZen, we’re passionate about raising awareness and offering real solutions for those living with hyperhidrosis. As one of the UK’s most experienced aesthetic clinics with over 25 years in the industry, we understand just how much this condition can affect confidence, comfort and quality of life.

Our team is led by clinical director Dr David Eccleston, a leading expert in medical aesthetics. We are proud to be one of the few CQC-registered clinics in the Midlands offering miraDry, the only FDA-approved permanent solution for underarm sweating, as well as muscle relaxing injections for effective short-term relief.

We offer flexible treatment packages and memberships to manage your symptoms in the long term. 

Visit us at our Birmingham clinic or contact us today to speak with one of our friendly experts. We’re here to help you take control of excessive sweating – permanently.