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Pilot study for permanent resolution of axillary hyperhidrosis: elimination of sweat glands with intradermal microneedle radiofrequency

European Journal of Plastic Surgery volume 42, pages 161–168 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Hyperhidrosis is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system that creates severe social and work problems through the production of excess uncontrolled perspiration. This disease affects about 1 to 3% of the world’s population. Essential or primary hyperhidrosis being most frequently seen. Treatment with a variety of surgical and non-surgical systems has been reported. Recently, intradermal microneedle radiofrequency has attracted favorable attention.

Methods

Seventy-four armpits in 37 patients (9 males, 28 females, average age 28 years [range 15–68 years]) diagnosed as having axillary hyperhidrosis who were performed intradermal microneedling fractional radiofrequency (MRF) in three deeps 2 mm, 3 mm, and 3.5 mm. The study was performed from July 2014 until July 2016. All patients completed control and follow-up sessions for 6 months.

Results

A permanent decrease in sweating of over 50% was achieved in 30 patients (80%); intermediate results in 2 (7%) and little or no results in 5 patients (13% of patients).

Conclusions

results suggest that MFR is a novel, safe, effective, permanent, and minimally invasive method to treat AHH with tolerable side effects.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Fabian Perez Rivera

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  1. Fabian Perez Rivera
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Conflict of interest

Fabian Perez Rivera declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

For this retrospective study formal consent from a local ethics committee  is not required.

Informed consent

All patients sign two different consents in which they accept to share their photos and information of the treatment for scientific purposes.

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Perez Rivera, F. Pilot study for permanent resolution of axillary hyperhidrosis: elimination of sweat glands with intradermal microneedle radiofrequency. Eur J Plast Surg 42, 161–168 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-018-1470-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-018-1470-8

Keywords

  • Microneedle fractional radiofrequency
  • Thermoregulation
  • Primary hyperhidrosis
  • Joule heating