New Procedure Helping To Reduce Excessive Sweating

PITTSBURGH (CBS) -- Sweating is a part of life. We all sweat, but for some people, it can be excessive and embarrassing.

Now, a new procedure is promising a long-term fix.

A hot summer day is especially uncomfortable for someone like Amearah Abuassi. The 20-year-old suffers from a condition called hyperhidrosis, or excessive perspiration.

"I would always have to watch my clothes. If I had to put my hands up, I tried not to because there is always a stain there," said Abuassi. "Ruining all of my clothes. It was really bad."

She's hoping a new FDA-approved procedure called Precision TX finally stops her sweating for good.

Surgeons insert a laser fiber in the patient's underarm area. The laser shoots energy and heat at the undersurface of the skin.

"We make a tiny incision; in fact, so small that we don't even put a stitch in, and the laser fires and reduces the number of active sweat glands," says Dr. Bruce Katz, of the Juva Skin & Laser Center in New York.

One procedure is all it takes. Research shows six months after the procedure 80 percent of patients have had a significant reduction in sweating.

The minimally invasive treatment takes less than an hour.

"It is local anesthetic, so the patients awake, they can go right back to work after," said Dr. Katz. "And in terms of side effects, they have a little swelling and bruising and that is it."

The underarm laser costs around $3,000 and insurance does not cover it.

Since Abuassi had her procedure a week ago, she's had to deal with some very hot days.

"We were in the 90s, 100s almost and it was perfect. No sweating," Abuassi said.

She's looking forward to enjoying summer and not having to sweat it out.

About five percent of people in the United States deal with excessive sweating. Other treatments for it include Botox injections in your underarm area every few months.

RELATED LINKS:
More Health News