31 woman this month | August 2012 | Showcase Healthy Perspiration MARAFIE CLINIC Sweating is a natural process that clears the body of toxins; but are there any dangers to excess sweating? To help our body stay cool, it sweats! In most cases, this is natural; for those with overactive sweat glands it can be a problem; we sit down with expert dermatologist Dr Hanann Marafie to find out more. Known as axillary hyperhidrosis in medical terms, excessive underarm sweating is almost totally resistant to all the types of deodorants and other odour-controlling medication. “Sweating is necessary for our body as it stabilises the temperature of our body. It also offers some balance of the salts to be optimum, but hyperhidrosis is a medical problem that involves more sweating than what is required by humans,” explains Dr Hanann. One of the causes of the condition is the over-stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Studies show that this is directly related to the mental state of a person and also the environment around them. Although neurological, metabolic, and other systemic diseases can trigger it, a lot of cases so occur in people who are otherwise healthy. “Anxiety, stress or any kind of emotional stimuli and similar psychological factors can greatly impact the occurrence of axillary hyperhidrosis,” says the doctor. Over the years, antiperspirants and medications, as well as surgical procedures, have been used as a cure. However, these often do not work well and may also result in adverse side effects. The specialists at Marafie Clinic use the FDA-approved Botulinum toxin to treat this condition. This potion, popularly known as a cosmetic treatment for wrinkles, has been used in many areas of medicine for some time especially in the treatment of muscle spasms and certain types of headaches. “Its latest medical use is for treating excessive underarm sweating; forty units of Botulinum toxin are injected into roughly 10-15 spots in each armpit. This may produce approximately six months of relief from sweating. While the injections might be uncomfortable, our use of a very small injection needle minimises this discomfort,” adds Dr Hanann. Hair treatment Marafie Clinic is also equipped with some of the most advanced laser machines for hair removal, non ablative facial rejuvenation and resurfacing and laser treatment for broken veins. In addition, procedures to treat skin diseases, clear pigmentations as well as face and body lifting are all available. Dr Hanann, who has been practising dermatology and cosmetic dermatology in several countries, opened her clinic in 2005. Over the years she has become a pioneering force in the region’s cosmetics industry. Call 17 585-373.
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