Sunday, December 02, 2007

Sweaty Armpits Are Controlled with Variation of Liposculpture

Sweaty armpits are a significant source of discomfort in American culture. From stains on clothing to malodor, people are aware of their appearance and very self-conscious about the impression they make on others, including an impression of smell.
In the past 20 years three solutions have been offered. Antiperspirants and anti deodorants will minimize the problem for the majority of people and these cosmetics account for many millions of dollars of sale per year.
Botox is more effective. A series of injections usually over 2-3 weeks time will significantly reduce sweat production and in most cases alleviate the need for deodorant. While some people object to the perception of needle pain, the reality is that these needles are so small the sensation is irritating and not much more. Cost has been a factor until recently when many insurance companies have begun to cover the procedure. When not covered by insurance the costs average about $1200.00 per application (covering 2-3 visits) and treatments are administered every 6-12 months depending on the patient's needs and response.
Lastly, curettage has been practiced for several decades with fairly good results. This involves inserting a sharp instrument under the skin and then scraping away sweat glands from the under-surface of the skin. The chief risk was scarring of the armpits and while this was rare it could be uncomfortable. In the past several years the much more gentle procedure of liposculpture has been substituted for curettage and the comfort of the procedure and the greatly reduced incidence of scarring makes the procedure much more appealing. The term "liposculpture" is a euphemism since fat is not removed. Instead the same tiny instruments as are used in liposculpture are turned against the skin so the sucking and rasping motion of the instrument gently removes sweat glands. Healing occurs within days and there is no downtime to the procedure. This is another in series of newly introduced minimally invasive procedures which are easy to perform and easy to tolerate.
Armpit sweat is a luxury our culture does not tolerate well and with a single procedure liposculpture techniques can eliminate one more nuisance from our consciousness.

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