Health & Wellness | Feeling Healthy Health & Wellness ergy, which targets the sweat glands and destroys them. <strong>This</strong> treatment is the first permanent noninvasive treatment for underarm sweating with a greater than 90% satisfaction rate. Only available at Gulf Coast Dermatology, this technology has improved the lives <strong>of</strong> patients who were embarrassed by their condition. Don’t Sweat it! By Dr. Jon Ward • Underarm sweating, or axillary hyperhidrosis, is a medical condition with an unknown cause that affects nearly 5 million Americans. It generally begins in adolescence and persists well into late adulthood. The impact it has on those suffering from it can be severe, particularly in teenagers and adult women. Patients with hyperhydrosis <strong>of</strong>ten avoid wearing certain colors <strong>of</strong> clothing. They may apply antiperspirants throughout the day and frequently blot their underarms to remove excessive moisture. Many must pr<strong>of</strong>essionally launder sweat stains out <strong>of</strong> clothing. In extreme cases, hyperhidrosis leads to social isolation, depression, and even suicide. Until now, no solution has been completely adequate to address this problem. Prescription antiperspirants can help, but they irritate the skin and can lead to yellow staining <strong>of</strong> clothing. A machine that uses an electric current has shown positive results, but it is cumbersome to use and time consuming. Pills that block the sweat nerves can be used, but they have side effects that include drowsiness and nausea. The most recent trend in treatment includes injection <strong>of</strong> a neurotoxin, which is effective for six months, but must be repeated and is expensive. At the most invasive level some sufferers visit spinal surgeons who sever the nerves that go to the underarm sweat glands, a procedure called thoracic sympathectomy. Unfortunately, even the surgery is not fully effective and can leave patients with devastating neurologic outcomes if there are complications. A convenient and effective treatment for hyperhidrosis has finally arisen: miraDry. miraDry is a new device that uses electromagnetic en- The teenager who would not raise her hand at school can now show her teachers and peers just how much she knows. The woman who would only wear black because it was the sole clothing color that hid her sweat can now open up her wardrobe to an array <strong>of</strong> new options. The man that would not remove his suit coat even though he was uncomfortably warm can now take <strong>of</strong>f that coat with confidence thanks to miraDry. The study used to gain FDA approval for miraDry not only showed sweat reduction, but also showed significant reduction in body odor. Bromhidrosis, or body odor, previously had no known treatments except deodorants. The total cost <strong>of</strong> the procedure is between $2,400-4,000 depending on the number <strong>of</strong> treatments needed for desired results, but most patients are satisfied with just one treatment. 9 Gulf Coast Dermatology Gulf Coast Dermatology is dedicated to making the best possible care available and convenient for you. We are using cutting-edge cancer treatments (including Mohs surgery and Radiotheraphy) to achieve the best results for our patients. Mohs surgery <strong>of</strong>fers the highest success rate in fighting skin cancer, and Radiotheraphy is a non-surgical, cosmetically superior option that is sometimes appropriate. Headquartered in <strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong>, and with brand new state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art facilities in <strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Beach</strong> and Santa Rosa <strong>Beach</strong>, Gulf Coast Dermatology is proud to <strong>of</strong>fer ease <strong>of</strong> location and appointments. Visit us for a skin-cancer screening, or to address any other skin condition including Rosacea, acne, unsightly veins or cosmetic issues ranging from age spots to wrinkles. You can also follow us on Facebook for the latest deals, or to learn skin care tips from medical pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. Why trust your skin to anyone else? Call (877) 231-3376 today, and be seen this week. 26 THE CIRCUIT September/October 2012
Skin Cancer Prevention * 5 Minutes Could Save Your Life * Get Checked Today 877.231.DERM(3376) GulfCoastDerm.com <strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong> | <strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Beach</strong> | Santa Rosa <strong>Beach</strong> | Ft Walton <strong>Beach</strong> | Navarre | Niceville | Gulf Breeze Crestview | Marianna | Bonifay | Port St. Joe | Tallahassee | Jacksonville | Sarasota | Dothan, AL
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