While everyone sweats, when it becomes excessive it can cause unsightly stains, strong body odor, and discomfort. Maybe you’ve had to stop buying light colored shirts because of unavoidable sweat stains or have grown self-conscious about your smell. Maybe you are even anxious about meeting new people for fear of shaking their hand. The providers of Dermatology Associates of Atlanta (DAA) often treat patients for sweating conditions and wish to explain the difference between normal and excessive sweating.

Our body naturally maintains body temperature by sweating, which acts as a “cooling” function. Contrary to common belief, sweat itself does not smell, but when it mixes with bacteria, it can leave a disagreeable odor. In general, there are two kinds of sweating: thermoregulatory sweating, which causes a rise in core temperature, and emotional sweating caused by excitement.  In general, some people naturally sweat more than others. For some, sweat glands are overactive to the point where it can be considered a medical condition, called hyperhidrosis. There is no definitive, pinpointing test for hyperhidrosis; rather, the diagnosis is based on the degree that sweating is affecting your day-to-day life.

When antiperspirant is not enough, DAA offers alternatives that can stop excessive sweating, or just sweating in general when it becomes bothersome. Topical products and BOTOX® injections can temporarily provide relief up to three to six months. For more enduring sweat reduction for big or small sweating problems, we offer FDA-approved miraDry® technology to eliminate underarm sweat glands.  The miraDry® system uses microwave technology to remove problematic sweat glands contributing to embarrassing sweat stains and unpleasant underarm odor for patients. Because you sweat from numerous pores all over your body, eliminating your underarm sweat glands is not substantial enough to cause any concerns with your body’s natural cooling process.

If you feel your underarm sweat hinders your everyday life or you have tried other procedures without success, you may be a good candidate. If you are interested in learning more about the miraDry® system please contact our office today to set up a consultation. Be sure to connect with us on  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ for the latest recommendations on your cosmetic concerns.