As soon as I first started working at M1, all my friends asked me the same question: “When are you going to have a treatment done!?“ I’ve never been comfortable with needles, so my answer was always a resounding never. I definitely thought it wasn’t for me.
However, as I got to know how the treatments are performed, watched videos and helped advertise the treatments, I came around more and more to the idea of getting a treatment myself. I was happy with the way I looked, but maybe some preventative anti-wrinkle injections could be helpful? Maybe I could fill out my jawline for that sharp, cutting edge I’ve always wanted? The idea of the treatment itself wasn’t so scary to me anymore: I just wanted to make sure that I chose the right one.
Inspiration came as the temperature started climbing into summer. I’ve always been a person who sweats more than I would like to: after a trip to the gym I look like I’ve been swimming. I was also bullied as a kid for always having sweat patches showing on my school uniform. So as I was getting hotter and starting to sweat as the temperature reached 30 degrees, I thought to myself: ‘How about an excess sweating treatment?’
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, affects around 3 in every 100 Australians. When the sweating is targeted in one specific area, referred to as focal hyperhidrosis, that area can be treated with muscle relaxant to curb the amount you sweat. It lasts for up to 6 months and takes only around 15 minutes to perform. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I booked myself in with Dr Engel.
On the day of my treatment, I was extremely nervous. I kept having panicked thoughts that I would have an allergic reaction to the anti-wrinkle product and my arms would fall off. Luckily, Dr Engel was kind, patient and very professional, and let me babble on while she prepared the injections. She disinfected the treatment area (my armpits) and got to work.
One thing that really surprised me about the injections was that it was not nearly as painful as I thought it would be. I have a very low pain tolerance, but even with the 20 or so small injections she did, I felt nearly nothing. Dr Engel explained that this was because she was using a very fine needle. There were a couple of times where the injection stung, but nothing nearly as bad as I had expected.
Each armpit only took about 1 minute each, which was also surprising. In my mind, the doctor would have to spend lots of time on each site, but she was quick, precise and skilful with each injection. I ended up being in and out of the room in just 10 minutes!
I experienced a little bit of swelling the day after around my armpits, but I am happy to report that my arms did not fall off. Now that it’s been a week since my treatment, I have to say that I am very happy with the results. Not only am I noticeably sweating less, but I don’t feel a need to change my shirt on hot days, and I don’t worry so much about wearing fabrics that will show moisture easily like I used to. I honestly don’t know why it took so long for me to book this treatment in the first place. When the results wear off in 6 months, I will definitely get the treatment done again.
I’d encourage anyone who is on the fence about getting a treatment to book a consultation with a doctor or do some research yourself. Not all aesthetic treatments need to be for visible reasons: sometimes, it’s about fixing the little things that subtly caused you grief and giving yourself a confidence boost. I know I, for one, am ready to face this sweaty summer with a whole lot more confidence than I otherwise would.
Interested in this treatment? Find out more about the hyperhidrosis treatment or book a consultation with our experienced doctor.
