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Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes perspiration far greater than the physiological needs of the body. The sweat glands in someone with hyperhidrosis are no different from those in people that do not suffer from hyperhidrosis. They also do not have more sweat glands and the glands are similar in size as well. The condition is caused by overactivity of the sweat glands rather than an increase in the size of the glands.
Areas of the body that produce excessive sweat usually appear white or pink. In severe cases, the areas may appear cracked, scaly, and soft (especially on the feet). Other symptoms may include a bad odor caused by bacteria and yeast in the wet skin. The symptoms of excessive sweating may resemble other medical conditions.
Having hyperhidrosis of the palms, underarms, feet and face is a profound and dramatic experience. It affects all aspects of life, such as daily living and normal, interpersonal social actions. It also impacts work and related professional activities.
We all sweat every day. This is the body’s mechanism to control the internal body temperature. One survey1 showed that about 2.8% of the population suffer from excessive sweating where the body overworks to cool down the internal body temperature. The condition is known as hyperhidrosis.
Sweaty hands can occur while meeting someone for the first time, and appears to be brought on by nervousness or emotional distress. Excessive sweating under the arms can cause embarrassing wet marks on shirts, with the associated social impacts in a work or professional environment.
Sweating of the face may be so profuse that it causes the person to act as though they are insecure. They may appear overly-anxious, when this is not really the case. To add to this, someone could experience facial blushing, along with facial sweating, another embarrassing manifestation of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
In articles following this one we will discuss the treatment options for excessive sweating, and discuss the use of BOTOX ® to treat hyperhidrosis.
1. Strutton DR, Kowalski J, Glaser DA, Stang P. US prevalence of hyperhidrosis: results from a national consumer panel. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology; March 21-26, 2003; San Francisco, Calif. Poster abstract P362
BOTOX is a registered trademark of Allergen, Inc.
Before you begin any skin rejuvenation treatment, you should consider having a skin assessment, often referred to as a complexion analysis. There are a number of high tech devices out there that eliminate the subjectivity of such an assessment. One that is often in the news and seen in various TV segments is the VISIA® Complexion Analyzer.
The VISIA ® utilizes epidermal digital imaging technology to identify problem areas in your skin. For example, the system captures visible spots, pore condition, texture and wrinkles, computing it into percentage figures and comparing it to an industry data base. It also provides feature counts of invisible ultraviolet (UV) spots and porphyrin counts, which indicate bacterial activity on the skin. In the quest for a more radiant complexion, knowledge is an invaluable tool. Gone are the days when you would look in the mirror…maybe twist the head to get some more natural light on your face, and then squint to see really close up what your skin looks like! The system will also capture all this data electronically which could be printed for your own records. But even better than that, it has the ability to compare your results over time, as your treatment progresses and the results start to show.
One of the system capabilities that never cease to amaze me is the ability to “age” the client during the analysis. This is helpful in illustrating the impact of the current damage to the skin over a prolonged period of time to clients, and is also helpful in developing a customized treatment for the client.
Armed with this data, some biographical information, and after discussing your personal skin goals, your consultant will determine the optimal treatment program for you. At this point it is really important that you have an in depth discussion with your consultant regarding your expectations, as clients’ pre-treatment expectations and subjective evaluations of procedures may cloud their impressions of results.
Depending on your complexion analysis and your personal goals, your program will incorporate the right laser or light-based technologies, the right methods and the right treatment schedule – all to ensure the highest levels of safety and effectiveness.
3,181,592: Number of BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments administered in the United States in 2006 alonei
• 1,000,000s: People who received treatment with BOTOX® for medical and aesthetic purposes around the worldii
• 300,000: Number of men who received treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic in 2006iii
• 10,000: People in clinical trialsiv
• 3,000: Publications on Botulinum Toxin Type A in scientific and medical journalsv
• 100: Years of study into botulinum neurotoxinsvi
• 97: Percentage of people satisfied with their BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment based on a survey of approximately 1,000 patientsvii
• 75: Countries around the world who have approved use of BOTOX®
• 20: BOTOX® indications approved by regulatory authorities around the world, including the aesthetic indication
• 18: Years since U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved BOTOX® to treat excessive eye blinking and crossed eyes
• 11: Descriptor for the glabellar (vertical) lines between the brows which can be treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic, that can help improve one’s overall facial appearance
• 8: Years since FDA approval of BOTOX® for the treatment of cervical dystonia (painful neck twisting condition) in adults
• 6: Years since FDA approval of BOTOX® Cosmetic for the treatment of the moderate to severe glabellar (vertical) lines between the brows in adults 18 to 65
• 4: Years since FDA approval of BOTOX® for the treatment of severe primary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating) inadequately managed with topical agents
• 1: Rank of BOTOX® Cosmetic on list of “Top 5 Surgical & Nonsurgical Physician Administered Cosmetic Procedures,”viiiaccording to American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Do men really do hair removal? Really? Have we already arrived at this point? It definitely looks like it. Between waxing, tweezing, shaving, electrolysis, and laser hair removal, men of all ages, sizes, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and professions are getting rid of their excess body hair. The “bear look” is definitely out!
Hair removal for men is a popular solution for excessive hair on the back, chest and legs. We have got used to seeing many athletic men enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal as a way to achieve better athletic results – swimmers and cyclists are great examples. Additionally, men who have gained a level of fitness and muscle tone don’t want to hide their attractive muscles behind a thick coating of hair. Then there are also men who wish to have tattoos on their chest or back who will commonly have the hair removed before having the tattoo. Because if they do laser hair removal after the tattoo, the laser will also target the tattoo ink – remember, ink is a pigment.
Laser hair removal has become the preferred choice for hair removal for men due to the large amount of hair in these areas, as well as the speed and efficacy of this method of hair removal. Other hair removal methods for this large an area, such as electrolysis, can be quite costly, time consuming, and painful. Laser hair removal is able to disable significant amounts of hair with one laser pulse and with relatively little discomfort. In a follow on article we will discuss the various options men have for hair removal.
Over and above the “comfort” and “embarrassment” reasons for hair removal, there is also the medical reason – such as getting rid of semi-permanent ingrown hair on (typically) the neck, called folliculitis. Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing, blockage of the follicle, or most commonly, shaving. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with bacteria. With common names like barber’s itch, folliculitis may not sound like a skin disorder. But for those who are plagued by it, folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles, is no laughing matter. Severe cases may cause permanent hair loss and scarring, and even mild folliculitis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Rather than respond to the individual questions, I am copying some of the questions into this post, and addressing all the questions that they raise.
What is the difference between what Sona offers and what Fig offers? I found Fig to be a little out of my budget. Do you know if Sona is lower in cost?
Answer: As you are probably aware, FIG closed their doors somewhere in December 2007, so this question probably does not apply any more. I do not know how FIG priced their services, so I could not comment on the relative pricing either.
Posted by: Heather | November 15, 2007 at 11:21 AM
Will it get rid of the double chin fat?
Answer: Lipotherapy can be used on the “double chin”. See the “before” and “after” picture that I am including.
Posted by: chris | November 16, 2007 at 01:02 PM
Are there any long term effects?
Answer: The American Society of Nonsurgical Aesthetics started trials in 2001, and published a report in 2004. Here is a brief extract from that report, indicating that currently there are no known long-term effects of Lipotherapy, but that more data (and time) is necessary to study this relatively new procedure.
“In aesthetic medicine - and especially in the surgical field - there are therapies that present a much greater risk to patients than what is theoretically possible with LipoDissolve injections. As example of this, I would merely refer to the figures available on the number of serious incidents following liposuction and the frequently unsatisfactory aesthetic results from cosmetic surgery. Recent reported data published in Austria claim that 1/10 of all liposuction procedures either result in surgical deformities or patient discontentment, the figure being far higher than what had been expected. LipoDissolve can eliminate many risks apart from deformities resulting from surgery; to compare the risks facing older patients, side effects from surgery requiring general anesthesia can involve a distinct loss of cognitive functions affecting the patients everyday life and living. More recent studies indicate that we cannot fully exclude the possibility that alteration in mental functions can occur even in younger people who undergo any form of surgery that require anesthesia.
From these reports and taking in consideration the many risks associated with surgery, it is surprising that LipoDissolve injections has been the target of much faulty criticism instead of being accepted with an open but scientific curiosity. Our safety reports have been very positive and we lack data of immediate adverse side-effects even in several thousand cases of clinical use - although we naturally wish for more advanced studies, and long term studies to give more thorough reports.”
Posted by: lenzie | December 03, 2007 at 04:06 PM
I would like to know the pricing for mainly the stomach area.
Answer:
Let me address the issue of price, as it frequently comes up as a question.
I am aware that there are providers that would quote a price, as if the Lipotherapy procedure is a pre-packaged product. Sōna MedSpa takes a different approach. You have to come in for a consultation so that a consultant can assess your body type, determine your Body Mass Index (BMI) and the amount of fat to be removed, and whether you are indeed a candidate for Lipotherapy. Only at that point will the consultant be able to customize and price a treatment package for you.
Your consultation will not take long – This is the most important step in the Lipotherapy process. During your free consultation an experienced consultant will personally cover:
What you can expect
How Lipotherapy works
The affordability of Sōna MedSpa
Posted by: Julia | December 10, 2007 at 11:48 AM
I have lost some weight.
I have about 3 to 4 inches of excess skin around my stomach area.
I have about 1 to 2 inches of excess skin around my upper thigh area.
I would like my butt area tighter also.
I would like to know the pricing.
Answer: See the response to the previous post/question, addressing the issue of price.
Posted by: Lynette H.Gillard | February 07, 2008 at 12:08 PM
How much would it cost to get rid of my belly and inner and outer thighs? and can a 14 year old get this procedure? –heather
Answer: It is not recommended doing Lipotherapy on a 14 year old person. At that age, the body is still undergoing significant change, and much of the results achieved with Lipotherapy may end up being undone as the body matures.
As for the cost of Lipotherapy, see the previous post on the cost of Lipotherapyabove.
Posted by: heather | February 26, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Very interested in learning more about Lipodissolve. I’m active (walk 10-15 miles per week) and eat healthy, however at age 47 I’m having fatty trouble spots appear especially my tummy! And I’d like to know if these treatments work on the neck area and puffy eyes. I’m currently a laser hair removal client and am happy with the results so far.
Thanks!
Answer: At age 47 you still have your best years ahead!
Lipotherapy is effectively used in the double chin area (See the “before” and “after” picture included above). It is difficult to say whether it would work on the neck – even our understanding of these areas may be different…and another good example why it is important to go in to Sōna for a free consultation. As for the puffy areas around the eyes – this does not sound like a typical Lipotherapy application, but there are a number of other treatment alternatives that Sōna has for treating the skin, smoothing and rejuvenating the skin, skin tightening, etc – well worth a visit to the MedSpa.
Posted by: sherrill bland | March 05, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Is there a price RANGE you might be able to disclose. no matter how wide a range. or post a brochure to give us an idea
Answer: Please see the previous post addressing the issue of pricing, and why Sōna MedSpa does not take a one-size-fits-all approach. The consultation referred to is free and without any commitment. All you have to lose are inches…!
Posted by: Monica | March 13, 2008 at 08:04 PM
I am interested in lipodissolve for my stomach and maybe thigh areas. i am 5′2, 110 lbs, and carry a little extra chub that i want to remove. how much will lipodissove cost (payment plan/total cost of everything)and how long will it take?
Answer: As for the cost of Lipotherapy, see the previous posts on the cost of Lipotherapy above.
The Lipotherapy treatment is dependent on the number of areas that are to be treated, as the body acts as a natural regulator on the process – as is to be expected, the more areas you decide to do, the longer the process will take. Typically, for a single area, the process would take about 16 weeks to complete.
This question is a version of a question we often get, which is “Is laser hair removal a once-off treatment”? In order to explore this question, we need to briefly review an earlier article (How does hair grow – March 19, 2007). Hair grows in three phases, and it is only during the active growth phase – the Anagen Phase – that the hair follicle can be disabled, in the process of preventing future hair growth. Therefore, as soon as the hair moves to the next phase, it is not possible to achieve this any more, and you then have to let the hair move through its cycle till it returns to the growth phase.
All our hair is not “in phase”, meaning, they are not all in the same part of the cycle at the same point in time. If it were that easy, we would have been able to disable all the hair in a specific area in one treatment, assuming we could accurately determine which stage of the cycle the hair was in.
Many factors influence hair growth such as age, ethnicity, weight, metabolism, medication and hormones. Each plays a role in your hair’s resilience, thickness, and areas of growth. Medical science has further determined that different areas of the body have different growth cycles when it comes to hair. This means that in order to get a significant reduction in hair growth, multiple treatments will be necessary. It also means that if you are treating different body parts, you may start them off at the same time, but over time their treatment frequency is likely to be different.
The number of treatments you will require vary, depending on the protocols and equipment used by providers in the industry. At Sõna MedSpa our experience over numerous locations nation wide, and 100’s of thousands of laser hair removal treatments, has shown that a significant reduction in hair growth in the area being treated can be achieved with a series of five treatments. Because of the factors previously discussed, this process is likely to take more than a year, and could be up to sixteen months – depending on the area being treated.
Interestingly, this also addresses a common misconception, which is that you can get your laser hair removal done “before the summer”. Irrespective of when you start, you are going to have to go through at least one treatment during the summer season to get good results….and that will mean that you will have to take care to keep the area being treated out of the sun for a period of two weeks before your next scheduled appointment.
80 to 90 % of all women will experience some problems with cellulite at some time in their life. Find out what cellulite really is, and how it differs from fat.
Let’s start the new year with some long lasting wrinkle reduction. Restylane enhances your natural looks by restoring your skin’s volume, creating softness and revitalizing your appearance. Restylane replaces lost volume and restores youthful contours to the skin to smooth away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds).
Why Restylane?
Since 1996, dermatologists and plastic surgeons outside the U.S. have used Restylane to contour and restore volume to skin and temporarily eliminate wrinkles and facial folds. Restylane was the first hyaluronic acid based dermal filler to be approved by the FDA in 2003, and it is the world’s most used, most studied dermal filler. It has been used in over 70 countries and in more than 1.4 million treatments in the U.S.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is already present in your body and is important for imparting firmness to skin. As a facial filler, hyaluronic acid works to improve appearance by attracting and binding water molecules and thereby increasing volume. This additional volume smooths out folds, wrinkles and lines for a more youthful look.
Is Restylane safe?
Restylane’s safety and efficacy is proven beyond a doubt, with robust clinical data spanning a decade. Restylane does not contain animal proteins. This limits any risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reactions. Restylane does not require an allergy test and can be administered immediately, so there is no waiting for treatments.
Adverse reactions to Restylane are rare. Side effects are infrequent and temporary. You might experience mild swelling and redness, and occasional bruising at the injection site
How long does Restylane last?
Restylane treatment is long-lasting but not permanent. The length of time a treatment maintains its effect is very individual and depends on many factors, such as your age, skin type, life-style and muscle activity, as well as the injection technique. Experience shows that Restylane can be effective for at least six months or more after the treatment of lines and folds.
Restylane gives you flexibility and control over your looks. Because your face changes shape as you age, you want to avoid a permanent look you might regret in years to come.
How is Restylane administered?
Restylane is injected directly into the skin in small amounts by an ultrafine needle. As with all injections, some clients may experience discomfort. To increase your comfort, your nurse will assess your need for pain management and determine what technique is right for you. Normally a topical pain medication is administered 30 minutes prior to your injection.
How long is the recovery after Restylane?
Restylane treatment usually fits in well with busy lifestyles, with minimal downtime, and gives results that can be seen instantly. The procedure is quick; it usually takes less than 30 minutes and the benefits can be seen immediately. Almost anyone who would like to reduce the prominence of their facial lines and wrinkles can be a candidate for Restylane treatments.
What should I know before a Restylane treatment?
Prior to treatment, avoid using aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John’s wort, or high doses of Vitamin E supplements as these can lead to additional bruising.
If you’re considering Restylane to give your face a younger, fresher look and feeling, or if you would like to find out more about the benefits of treatment with dermal fillers, schedule a consultation with a Sona consultant to discuss your options.
To help you get started, I will review a list of a few active ingredients and what they do for your skin:
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA): Fruit acids, most common form is Glycolic acid. Excellent exfoliant that helps refine the texture and appearance of the skin by loosening those top layers of dead skin cells and increasing cell turnover. New cells look better and brighter than old, dull, dead cells.
Benzoyl Peroxide: The most common medication to treat acne.Significantly decreases the bacteria in the skin that cause acne. Also reduces the fats and oils in the skin and helps to shed the top layers of dead cells.
Hydroquinone: “Bleaching” cream that blocks the formation of melanin in the skin. More accurately called a depigmenting product. These actually stop the natural melanin in your skin from being able to turn into brown spots when activated by the sun and it fades and in some cases erases the brown spots that are already there. The pigment will return when the product is stopped.
Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin): Vitamin A acid. Wonder drug for skin that improves fine and coarse wrinkling, helps fade age spots, leaves the skin feel smoother, and increases the production of collagen and elastin fibers.
Salicylic Acid: Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) softens the skin and promotes shedding of the top dead skin cell layers. Helpful in treating acne for those that are sensitive or allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide.
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO): Physical sunscreens. Both are highly reflective white powders that act as barriers to reflect and scatter the sun’s radiation. A good SPF should contain at least one of these ingredients.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Increases the production of collagen and offers protection from free radicals. Must be in topical form, taken orally Vitamin C will not reach the skin.
Remember that skin care is not a perfect science. We each have distinct body chemistry; what works for your sister may not work for you. Use this basic knowledge to choose products wisely. Give them at least 2 weeks of dedicated use to work their magic before moving on for another try. It may take a little trial and error but armed with this information you can be sure you are making the best decisions to combat your targeted problem. If you think you have tried it all and are just too flustered to go on, please don’t give up! Come and see one of our Sōna consultants for a free customized skin evaluation. We can help get you on the right track to realizing your most beautiful skin.
We’ve all been there; either at the corner drugstore or in the department store looking dazed and confused at the endless aisles filled with bottles of skin care items. All promising to make us look younger, brighter, firmer, and cover shot worthy. I am victim to this as much as the next girl; spending hundreds of dollars on a plethora of products in pretty packaging only to face the harsh truth a few weeks later….I still don’t look like a supermodel. It may smell good or feel nice on my skin but is it really doing anything? Or even worse…now I’m having breakouts, oily or dry patches, and red blotchy cheeks! What’s a girl to do with so many choices out there? How do I know what I need and what is going to work for my concerns?
Well, there is the first and most important step. You must know what outcome you desire. Do you want relief from acne, your crow’s feet minimized, or smoother texture?This list could go on forever but break it down into one or two really important issues and start from there. Once you have decided what problem you are going to correct then you can look for active ingredients that target that issue.
Trust me, you don’t need an arsenal of 20 products day and night to keep you looking your best. As you age, your skin goes through changes so your problem of focus will change as well. Each year revamp your list of major problem targets to reflect the current status of your skin. You will be surprised that after just six months to a year of good quality skin product your acne is cleared and you can move on to the next item on your list…pesky pores or bothersome brown spots.
Everyone needs to start with a basic face wash, an exfoliating product, and most importantly top it off with an SPF 30 or higher. So that is three, possibly two things (if you combine the wash and exfoliator) every bathroom counter should hold. From there you add in your specialty products fit to your desired outcomes. No need to go overboard with these either; typically one or two targeted products is plenty.
Choose your targeted products wisely based on the main active ingredient. That is what is going to get you results. Steer clear of products that list water or alcohol as their primary ingredient; unfortunately this is just fluff and a waste of time in your skin care routine.
To help you get started, I will review a list of a few active ingredients and what they do for your skin in Part Two of this article. Find your target problem, see what treats it best and try products with that ingredient as the primary one.
The VISIA ® utilizes epidermal digital imaging technology to identify problem areas in your skin. For example, the system captures visible spots, pore condition, texture and wrinkles, computing it into percentage figures and comparing it to an industry data base. It also provides feature counts of invisible ultraviolet (UV) spots and porphyrin counts, which indicate bacterial activity on the skin. In the quest for a more radiant complexion, knowledge is an invaluable tool. Gone are the days when you would look in the mirror…maybe twist the head to get some more natural light on your face, and then squint to see really close up what your skin looks like! The system will also capture all this data electronically which could be printed for your own records. But even better than that, it has the ability to compare your results over time, as your treatment progresses and the results start to show.
Over and above the “comfort” and “embarrassment” reasons for hair removal, there is also the medical reason – such as getting rid of semi-permanent ingrown hair on (typically) the neck, called folliculitis. Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing, blockage of the follicle, or most commonly, shaving. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with bacteria. With common names like barber’s itch, folliculitis may not sound like a skin disorder. But for those who are plagued by it, folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles, is no laughing matter. Severe cases may cause permanent hair loss and scarring, and even mild folliculitis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
e-off treatment”? In order to explore this question, we need to briefly review an earlier article (How does hair grow – March 19, 2007). Hair grows in three phases, and it is only during the active growth phase – the Anagen Phase – that the hair follicle can be disabled, in the process of preventing future hair growth. Therefore, as soon as the hair moves to the next phase, it is not possible to achieve this any more, and you then have to let the hair move through its cycle till it returns to the growth phase.
