What Causes Hyperhidrosis?
There are two distinct types of hyperhidrosis, each with different underlying causes.
Primary Hyperhidrosis: Primary, or focal, hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating in specific areas of the body, most commonly the underarms, hands, feet, and face, without any identifiable underlying medical cause. It is often genetic in origin and is thought to result from overactivity of the eccrine sweat glands, which make up the majority of the body's sweat glands and are normally activated by heat, exercise, hormones, or nerves.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis: Secondary hyperhidrosis causes sweating across the whole body rather than in localized areas, and is more likely to occur during sleep. It is typically linked to an underlying cause such as a medication side effect or a medical condition including menopause, diabetes, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, lymphoma, or pregnancy.
Understanding which type of hyperhidrosis you are experiencing is an important first step in determining the most appropriate treatment. Our clinical team will assess your specific situation at your consultation.
Managing Hyperhidrosis at Home
While clinical treatments offer the most effective and lasting relief, there are some at-home steps that can help minimize the day-to-day effects of excessive sweating:
- Using an aluminum-based over-the-counter antiperspirant, which temporarily blocks sweat pores and reduces the amount of sweat that reaches the skin's surface
- Choosing natural materials for footwear and clothing, such as leather shoes and cotton or wool garments, which allow the skin to breathe and help minimize sweat buildup
- Using moisture-wicking socks and changing them regularly, and using foot powder to absorb sweat if the feet are an affected area
- Maintaining consistent daily hygiene habits, including thorough drying after bathing, to manage odour and reduce the impact of excessive sweating on daily life
- Managing stress through meditation, yoga, or other wellness practices, as stress and anxiety are common triggers for excessive sweating in people with primary hyperhidrosis
Non-Surgical Hyperhidrosis Treatments at SpaMedica
At SpaMedica, our clinical team will work with you to determine the type of hyperhidrosis you are experiencing and recommend the most appropriate non-surgical treatment to restore your confidence and improve your quality of life.
Botox Injectable: Botox is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments available for hyperhidrosis. The botulinum toxin used in these injections temporarily blocks the nerve signals responsible for triggering sweat gland activity in the treated area. According to clinical studies, 95 percent of patients with severe hyperhidrosis experienced positive results within one week of receiving Botox injections for this condition. The affected area typically requires several injections per session, and results generally last between six and twelve months, after which repeat treatment is recommended to maintain the effect.
miraDry: miraDry is a non-surgical microwave therapy treatment that uses precisely targeted microwave energy to permanently disable the sweat glands in the underarm area. Unlike Botox, which requires repeat treatments to maintain results, miraDry delivers a long-lasting solution to excessive underarm sweating in a single or small number of sessions. The treatment is performed in-clinic with no surgery and no significant downtime required.
Solutions
Botox Injectible
Botox Injectable is clinically proven to successfully treat and control excessive underarm sweating.
MiraDry
Eliminates sweat glands in the underarm area, providing a long-lasting solution to excessive underarm sweating.
