Sweating isn’t exactly chic. Which, for a fashion writer, is a major threat to the carefully curated exterior I have funnelled time, energy and money into perfecting. I’m not talking about the type of sweat one breaks during a hot yoga class or intense HIIT session - I mean the everyday menace that is hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterised by excessive sweating beyond what is necessary for temperature regulation. It commonly affects the hands, feet, underarms, or face, resulting in visible dampness and subsequent bouts of social anxiety.
The condition affects about 3-5 per cent of people worldwide, yet only now are we starting to discuss it more openly. Of course, hyperhidrosis affects everyone differently. Mine was spurred on by a medication which causes heat intolerance (my fellow SSRI girlies will understand), leading to summers spent horizontally sprawled in front of the fan and winters avoiding cloying heavyweight knits.
Even certain celebrities have opened up about the woes of being a sweaty person. Chrissy Teigen opened up about her sweat-induced struggles, saying that getting her hyperhidrosis treated was "the best move she's ever made." Most recently, TikTokker and Hello! Fashion star Olly Bowman shared his hyperhidrosis journey with his near-900K Instagram following.
For the best part of a decade I've had anti-sweating botox on my radar - having tired from restless nights spent drenched in Driclor. So, I booked in to see Dr Jenny Doyle, Consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon, aesthetic practitioner and founder of The Clinic Holland Park, about the clinic’s hyperhidrosis treatment. Here’s what she said:
“Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterised by excessive sweating that occurs independently of heat, physical activity or emotional stress. It results from overactivity of the eccrine sweat glands, which are stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system. For those affected, the condition can significantly impact daily functioning, professional life and psychological wellbeing.”
“One of the most effective non-surgical treatments for hyperhidrosis is botulinum toxin,” Dr Doyle continues. “Botulinum toxin works at a neuromuscular level by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for activating sweat glands. When these signals are blocked, sweat production in the treated area is markedly reduced.”
© The Clinic Holland ParkThe treatment involved a series of small, rather zesty injections into the underarms - which, while not the most pleasant, was over in a flash. The process is minimally invasive and requires little downtime, typically beginning to take effect within several days. “Importantly, the treatment does not stop the body from sweating altogether,” Dr Doyle notes. “It simply reduces excessive sweating in the targeted area, while normal temperature regulation continues elsewhere.”
“We select the toxin based on individual anatomy, severity of symptoms and lifestyle factors,” she adds. “One option we offer is Relfydess, a newer-generation botulinum toxin that has been shown to provide a longer duration of effect in some patients.”
While standard botulinum toxins used for hyperhidrosis typically last around three to four months, Relfydess may offer symptom control for up to six months. “For suitable patients, this extended duration can mean fewer treatments per year and more sustained symptom relief,” Dr Doyle explains. “Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition, not merely a cosmetic concern. Understanding the underlying physiology allows us to treat it effectively and safely, with a significant improvement in quality of life for many patients.”
© iStockAs for the results? So far, so good. Sweating has significantly decreased already, and I'm excited to see how the treatment functions once it has fully set in. Plus, the aftercare was really simple - no stinging at all, just staying clear of hot showers or exercise until the morning after the treatment was done. Dr Doyle was quick to check in, adding an extra personal touch to the experience which was really appreciated.
Regarding the mental benefits of the process, I'm already overcome with relief that I won't have to ply myself with deodorant during fashion week - an already intensely stressful situation that causes even the most experienced of editors to break a sweat. More focus on the pieces and less on the 'pits, what could be better?
While the treatment isn't cheap at £700 a pop, it truly is life-changing. And, if you break it down, that's approximately £110 a month for six months of no pesky perspiration - proof that sometimes, you really don't need to sweat the small stuff.
To book, visit The Clinic Holland Park (Pricing from £700)
