Dr Wen-Shan Sung is your friendly neighbourhood GP, with advanced training as a skilled cosmetic physician, at Canberra Sweat Clinic.

After several years of helping his general practice patients through their day-to-day physical ailments, he noticed that skin conditions, particularly excessive sweat, are an all-too-familiar culprit that hinder daily life.

“It’s actually a very common presentation that we see in general practice,” says Dr Sung.

“Many patients struggle to control their sweat and body odour, to the point that topical sprays and creams aren’t effective.

“Previously I focused on Botox injections to help my patients with excessive armpit sweating – the area where most people struggle. However, that only provides four to six months of relief, and requires repeated treatments.

“It wasn’t a permanent solution.”

“In my experience, when people are seeking treatment, it’s because the severity of their condition is affecting their day-to-day lives,” he says.

“With hyperhidrosis, they may be too embarrassed to wear long sleeves, or avoid things like public speaking all together. They feel awkward and embarrassed.

“Even though there’s nothing unnatural about underarm sweat, I’m passionate about helping my patients comfortably return to their everyday lives. That’s what led us to miraDry, an energy-based treatment that utilises microwave energy to target sweat and odour glands.”

What physiological and medical conditions usually lead to excessive sweating?

Sweating is a normal process of the human body that helps regulate its temperature and is essential to survival. People who suffer from excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, have sweat glands that overreact to stimuli and produce more sweat than needed. It’s often said that people with hyperhidrosis have sweat glands that are stuck in the “on” position.

Tell us about miraDry, how does it treat excessive underarm sweating?

miraDry was invented by doctors to provide a long-lasting solution to hyperhidrosis, in comparison to Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections. It was also designed to be non-invasive, in response to many patients being opposed to surgery. The technology is based on thermal waves, which shrink the sweat glands, minimising their size and decreasing sweat production. This also helps to reduce body odour.

How is it applied? Will it hurt?

After taking measurements of the underarm area, a numbing cream is applied to the skin, followed by a pinprick of local anaesthesia. Finally, the head of the device is pressed directly onto the skin. Treatment usually takes 30 minutes for each side, with minimal pain, and results in a little swelling that lasts for a few days. You will see immediate results after the session. Permanent results have been proved in as little as one session.

How do Botox injections compare?

Botulinum toxin is injected under the skin to bring the sweat glands into a ‘sleepy’ phase by chemically blocking the nerves that supply the sweat glands. This effect hinders the root of the issue, meaning it’s a temporary cure that requires topping up after a few months.

At what point should someone struggling with excessive sweating consider miraDry?

I generally recommend miraDry to those who are getting minimal results with over-the-counter treatments like sprays or deodorants, or those who find excessive sweating is affecting their daily lives. If you have any concerns about excessive sweating being a symptom of a larger condition like thyroid disease, diabetes, or pregnancy, always bring this up with your GP.

Consider booking a FREE consultation with Dr Sung or any of the qualified, friendly Canberra Sweat Clinic team today at canberrasweatclinic.com.au or call (02) 5119 3898.

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