Laser Sweat Ablation

What is Laser Sweat Ablation?

Laser Sweat Ablation is a long-term treatment for hyperhidrosis, which involves using lasers to destroy the sweat glands. Laser sweat ablation cures excessive sweating in around 80 percent of cases, but with advances in technology this figure is expected to rise.

Laser sweat ablation is used primarily for treating hyperhidrosis in the armpits.

How does it work?

Laser Sweat Ablation is a very safe procedure, which is carried out under local anaesthetic. The procedure only takes one hour and the incisions are very tiny. The areas affected by sweating are marked prior to the procedure using iodine and then the lasers are inserted into the skin after tiny incisions have been made. The lasers destroy the sweat glands and they are then removed using suction. Once the procedure is complete, a dressing will be applied to the wounds and the dressings can usually be removed after 2-3 days. Recovery is usually quick but it may be advisable to take around 2 weeks off exercising.

What are the advantages of Laser Sweat Ablation?

Laser sweat ablation is less invasive than other surgical techniques and therefore there is usually less scarring. It also affects a smaller surface area than ETS with only 1-2% treated in comparison with the 25% affected by ETS. This lower percentage means there is less chance of compensatory sweating and if it does happen it will be barely noticeable, with an increase in sweat of only 1-2% in another area of the body.

Laser sweat ablation is a long-term option for the treatment of underarm hyperhidrosis and may be a better choice if you are looking for something, which is as effective and non-invasive as Botox, but lasts a great deal longer.