84 Elm Road
Leigh-
Essex SS09 1SJ
Tel: 0800 1956929
01702 410204
Removal of moles, skin tags, and other skin lesions for cosmetic reasons is not always provided by the NHS. We appreciate that moles and skin tags can cause embarrassment and affect one's confidence.
We provide a range of treatments such as surgical removal, cryotherapy (freezing) and cautery (burning) to remove such problems.
Skin conditions can have a negative impact to one’s mental and emotional well-being. We can offer you a friendly, good quality advice and treatment for your skin condition such as acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis.
Cost for first consultation: from £100
Follow-up consultation: from £60
What is Hyperhidrosis?
The common medical term for excessive sweating is hyperhidrosis. Sweating is one of the most important ways in which the body loses heat, but people with hyperhidrosis produce sweat in amounts far greater than needed to control their temperature. This means that the areas effected may be constantly damp. This may make normal everyday activities more difficult to carry out and it can cause embarrassment at work or socially.
It is not true that hyperhidrosis causes body odour. The smell that some people think is due to sweating is in fact caused by bacteria if sweat remains there for a long time.
There are two main types of hyperhidrosis:
Focal hyperhidrosis is the more common type. It involves excessive sweating on the feet, hands and sometimes the armpits. Botox® has been approved by the FDA and is recommended for excessive underarm sweating when topical agents don’t work
Generalised hyperhidrosis affects the whole body. It is much less common and is usually caused by another illness such as an infection, diabetes or thyroid gland over-activity. The excessive sweating usually stops when the illness is treated.
What are the causes of hyperhidrosis?
It is not known why some people are affected and others are not. Some times, people with hyperhidrosis have a relative with a similar problem, suggesting that there maybe a genetic cause.
Hyperhidrosis is caused by over activity of one type of sweat gland, the eccrine gland. These glands are found all over the body surface but they are concentrated on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and in the armpits.
What can I do about hyperhidrosis?
Simple 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 draw sweat away from the body and feel dry. Consider having a change of clothing available during the day.
Keep your work environment cool and well aired.
Avoid the food and drinks that trigger sweating. These will be different for everyone ( e.g. spicy food, hot drinks, alcohol)
Think about how you can reduce stress during the day, plan your activities carefully and make time to relax.
Pay attention to your personal hygiene. Odour can be reduced by taking frequent showers. It may be inconvenient for people who constantly sweat, but it is a simple and effective measure to take.
What is Botox® and how does it work?
Botox® is a very pure preparation of a protein, botulinum toxin type A. It is recommended for the treatment of armpit hyperhidrosis and it has been used for many years to treat muscle spasm affecting the eyes, face and neck. Botox® is also used to relieve muscle spasm in children with cerebral palsy.
When small doses are injected into the skin, Botox® blocks the actions of the nerves that supply the eccrine glands and prevents them from producing sweat.
What happens during treatment?
Using a very fine needle, your doctor will inject a small amount of Botox solution into 10 to 15 places about 1cm apart and spread evenly in each armpit. A course of treatment takes about 30 minutes. You can return to normal activities that same day.
How quickly does it work and how long will the effects last?
You should notice some change for the better within one to two weeks of your treatment.
Different people have different responses to treatment. In a clinical trial, sweat production was reduced by 83% one week after treatment. Furthermore, sweating was reduced at least by half in 95% of patients. Your next treatment can be given when the effects of the first course wear off, this usually happens after 4 to 8 months.
Your doctor will advise you about when to return for further treatment. Repeat treatments can give longer lasting results over time.