The pale grey shirt left in the wardrobe, the arms kept firmly down in every photograph, the jacket worn through a warm meeting. Around one in twenty people sweat substantially more than the body needs to regulate temperature, and most have quietly built their whole wardrobe around it.
It can feel like something to put up with, which is why so many people manage it silently for a decade before discovering the options available.
Hyperhidrosis is a recognised medical condition, and there is an order worth working through.
Give your antiperspirant a second chance
Clinical-strength antiperspirants containing aluminium chloride are available from any pharmacy without prescription, and most people who have tried them used them incorrectly.
Applied to completely dry skin at night, not in the morning. Sweat glands are least active overnight, which lets the product plug the duct properly. Applied in the morning to skin that is already damp, it washes straight off.
Wash it off in the morning and reapply nightly until you get control, then reduce frequency.
If your skin feels irritated, using it less often usually settles things nicely. It is well worth another try before spending anything.
Fabric makes more difference than people expect
Merino wool and technical fabrics move moisture away from the skin. Cotton absorbs it and shows it.
That single swap transforms how visible sweat is, and it is one of the most underrated tricks there is.
Underarm shields are discreet and effective.
These tricks manage how sweat shows, and for a lot of people that is exactly what matters most day to day.
The treatment that works
Injections into the affected area block the nerve signal to the sweat glands.
Suitability is assessed at consultation by a prescriber, and your clinician explains what to expect. Fifteen to thirty minutes on Wimpole Street, with no downtime.
Palms can be treated too, and because the hand is densely supplied with nerves, the team takes extra care with comfort.
Facial and scalp sweating is treated with a lighter, more precise touch, because the muscles of expression sit in the same area.
£450 for underarms on the cosmetic pathway or £350 on the medical pathway.
The NHS route and the private route
For severe hyperhidrosis where clinical-strength antiperspirants have failed, treatment may be available on the NHS.
Provision varies considerably by area and waiting lists can be long, which is why Regents Park Aesthetics offers a medical pathway price as well as a cosmetic one.
Your consultation
Your clinician runs through your medical history at the consultation, including when the sweating started and where it shows, so your treatment is matched to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hyperhidrosis?
Sweating substantially beyond what the body needs for temperature regulation. Primary hyperhidrosis usually starts in adolescence, affects specific areas symmetrically, and affects around one in twenty people.
How do I get the most from my antiperspirant?
Apply it at night to completely dry skin, which is when sweat glands are least active. Most people use it in the morning on damp skin, where it washes straight off.
How is it treated?
Injections into the affected area block the nerve signal to the sweat glands. Suitability is assessed at consultation by a prescriber.
How much does it cost?
£450 for underarms on the cosmetic pathway or £350 on the medical pathway. Hands are £550.
How long does it last?
Your clinician explains what to expect at consultation.
Does it hurt?
The underarm is very manageable. The palm is more sensitive because the hand is densely supplied with nerves, so anaesthetic keeps you comfortable.
Is it safe to stop sweating from my underarms?
The underarms contribute a very small proportion of total sweating, and your clinician talks you through what to expect at consultation.
Will I sweat more somewhere else?
Injections work locally, on the treated area alone, and your clinician talks you through what to expect at the consultation.
Can I get it on the NHS?
Sometimes, for severe cases where antiperspirants have failed, though provision varies and waits can be long.