Body & Contour
Sweating that goes beyond what the body needs to control temperature.
Physician-led assessment · individualized care · Vancouver clinic
Understanding Excessive Sweating & Hyperhidrosis
Maybe you plan your shirts around sweat marks, wipe your palms before every handshake, or feel your feet slip in your shoes on a cool day. If sweating seems to have a mind of its own, you may have hyperhidrosis: the body making far more sweat than it needs to stay cool.
There are two main patterns, and telling them apart is the first step. Primary focal hyperhidrosis affects specific spots like the underarms, palms, soles or face. It usually starts young, often runs in families, and comes from overactive nerve signals to the sweat glands, not from an illness. It responds well to treatment. Secondary hyperhidrosis tends to be more widespread or newer, or comes with other symptoms, and can be linked to a medication, a hormonal change or another health condition. That's why we check new or all-over sweating medically before treating it.
Related Presentations
These focused pages explain different patterns within this concern.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Hyperhidrosis is often divided into two broad patterns. Primary focal hyperhidrosis tends to affect specific areas such as the underarms, hands, feet, or face, often begins earlier in life, and is thought to relate to overactivity of the nerves that signal sweat glands, sometimes with a family tendency. Secondary hyperhidrosis results from another factor, such as certain medications, hormonal changes, infections, or medical conditions, and is more likely when sweating is widespread or new.
Signs and Symptoms
Assessment
Your consultation is with one of our experienced physicians. We'll ask where you sweat, when it started, whether it's in specific spots or all over, whether it happens during sleep, and about any other symptoms, medications or health changes. That tells primary from secondary sweating, and if an underlying cause seems possible, we may suggest some tests. Your plan then reflects where you sweat, the pattern, and your goals, timing and budget.
Cosmetic consultations are complimentary.
Treatment Options
These are some of the options connected to this concern. The appropriate plan depends on assessment, suitability, and your goals.
The right care depends on where you sweat, the pattern and any underlying cause. Many people start with a clinical-strength antiperspirant. For focal sweating that's still getting in the way, our experienced physicians offer Hyperhidrosis Treatment, using neuromodulator injections to calm the nerve signals that switch sweat glands on in the underarms, hands, feet, face or scalp. The effect is temporary, so treatment is repeated over time. When sweating is secondary, treating the underlying cause comes first.
For the fuller picture, explore the treatment pages above or discuss the options during a consultation.
Medical Assessment
Prompt medical assessment is important when sweating is all over the body, starts suddenly, happens mainly at night, affects only one side of the body, or comes with fever, weight loss, a racing heart or feeling unwell. These features can point to an underlying condition that needs checking before the sweating itself is treated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweating is normal and helps control body temperature. Hyperhidrosis is sweating beyond what the body needs to stay cool, often enough to soak clothing, affect grip or interfere with daily activities even without heat or exertion. If you're not sure where you fall, we can help you sort it out at your visit.
Yes, focal sweating often responds well. Our physicians treat the underarms, hands, feet, face and scalp with targeted injections, and some people have more than one area treated. Your consultation confirms which areas suit treatment and builds a plan around them.
Sometimes. Sweating that is all over, new, happens at night, or comes with fever, weight loss or a racing heart may point to an underlying cause and should be assessed. Focal sweating that has been present for years is more often primary, and it's very treatable once that's confirmed.
Physician Assessment
An assessment can help clarify what may be contributing, which options may be appropriate, and what a reasonable next step could look like for you.
Visit Our Clinic
Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic combines medical assessment, individualized planning, physician oversight, and a broad range of treatment options in its Vancouver clinic.
Bring your questions, treatment history, and goals. Your provider can help you understand appropriate options, expected recovery, and realistic outcomes.
Make an Appointment
Use our consultation form below and the clinic can guide you toward the appropriate starting point.
