Sweat Gland Removal

Dermatology
Dermatology
Sweat Gland Removal

Medically Reviewed 24th March 2025, by Dr. Susan Mayou (GMC: 2405092) - founder of the Cadogan Clinic and one of the world's leading dermatologists

What is Sweat Gland Removal?

Sweat Gland Removal is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anaesthetic to reduce excessive sweating in the armpits, also known as Axillary Hyperhidrosis. This procedure significantly reduces the amount of sweating, improving comfort and confidence for patients affected by Hyperhidrosis and who have found other treatments ineffective.

Although excess sweating, medically known as Hyperhidrosis, isn’t medically harmful, it can be a cause of major social discomfort and embarrassment, impacting how patients dress or participate in certain activities. Excessive sweating may also lead to persistent skin rashes, which can be challenging to treat and manage. Sweat Gland Removal surgery reduces sweating by 60-90%, relieving many of these concerns, and improving confidence and quality of life.

What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterised by excessive sweating that isn’t connected with body heat or exercise. Some individuals can identify specific triggers such as medication or hormonal fluctuations (known as Secondary Hyperhidrosis), but for others, there is seemingly no direct cause (known as Primary Hyperhidrosis).

Primary Hyperhidrosis typically affects the hands, feet, face and underarms. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence and is often genetic. Managing Hyperhidrosis can feel very overwhelming, with individuals worrying about the clothing they’re wearing and the environments they’re spending time in.

Various over-the-counter treatments, such as strong antiperspirants, foot powders and sweat shields, are available to help control the condition. For patients who find these interventions haven’t been successful, initial medical treatment of Hyperhidrosis may involve tablets or non-surgical treatments, including injecting anti-wrinkle injections into the affected areas to control the nerve activity around the sweat glands. Instances where these treatments are ineffective or aren’t sustainable may lead a patient to consider a surgery for excessive sweating or Hyperhidrosis surgery.

Get in touch

Why Do People Have Sweat Gland Removal?

Excessive sweating treatment is popular among individuals who are affected by Hyperhidrosis. There are many reasons why a patient may consider an operation for excessive sweating treatment:

Excessive sweating is affecting their confidence and quality of life
Other medical treatment of hyperhidrosis hasn’t been successful
Non-surgical hyperhidrosis treatments aren’t a long-term option

Who is Suitable for Sweat Gland Removal?

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will assess your suitability for armpit Sweat Gland Removal. They will discuss your medical history, your concerns, and what you hope to achieve from the procedure.

To determine whether you are suitable for surgery to remove sweat glands, your surgeon will consider:

Whether you have discussed your Hyperhidrosis with any other medical professionals
Any medical treatment of Hyperhidrosis you have already tried, and how successful this has been
Whether your concerns can be effectively treated with axillary Sweat Gland Removal
Your desired outcomes to ensure they are realistic and achievable with the procedure
Your overall medical history to ensure that you are fit and well for a local anaesthetic procedure

Words from our clients:

"Outstanding experience from the first appointment to being discharged. Very professional, friendly and a fantastic outcome."

Gemma Stevenson

"The girls on the reception at the clinic were very pleasant and professional. The nurse who took out my stitches after my surgery was just lovely and took me through step by step what she was doing and she also recommended a great cream to use to help with healing."

Georgina Nolan

“I was treated with care and provided with thorough knowledge about the procedure I was undertaking. My surgeon was very methodical (a perfectionist) and I felt I received A class treatment."

Courtney O'Sullivan

"The treatment was for my daughter and the aesthetic practitioner couldn't have been more helpful and informative all through the course of treatment, it was a great treatment with a brilliant outcome. The whole experience was very professional and any worries we went in with were soon taken away after the team greeted us and treated us."

Jessica Yates

"Reception staff very welcoming and efficient. Both nurses who I dealt with were fantastic, and the whole team (anaesthetist, surgeon etc) were friendly but professional, and really put my mind at ease. That I was able to stay later than I perhaps needed after my surgery to fit in with my husbands schedule was greatly appreciated."

Emma Davies

The Cost of Sweat Gland Removal

Sweat Gland Removal cost will depend on the nature of your concerns and your desired outcomes.

Contact our specialist advisors for more information on Sweat Gland Removal pricing.

Get in Touch 0207 901 8500

Sweat Gland Removal at Cadogan Clinic includes:

Your procedure carried out in one of our state-of-the-art procedure rooms
24/7 aftercare support from our specialist nurses
A dedicated patient advisor to support you throughout your journey with us

What are the Benefits of Sweat Gland Removal

Axillary Sweat Gland Removal is a highly beneficial procedure which can dramatically improve the confidence and quality of life of patients impacted by excessive sweating.

Reduced sweating from underarms – removal of sweat glands doesn’t stop sweating completely, as this is a natural process that our bodies require to maintain overall health including temperature regulation. However, excess sweating can be reduced to a point where it is comfortable and manageable.
Long-lasting results – The results of surgery to remove sweat glands are permanent, providing a lifelong solution to a condition that is often difficult to manage.
Straightforward, minimally-invasive procedure – Hyperhidrosis surgery at Cadogan Clinic is performed under local anaesthetic, meaning you will be comfortable throughout the procedure but able to leave swiftly and continue your usual activities with minimal downtime.
World-class care – Cadogan Clinic has brought together a selection of the UK’s best consultant surgeons who will address your concerns with the highest-quality patient care and surgical outcomes.

What Does Sweat Gland Removal Involve?

A thorough consultation

Your dedicated patient advisor will book you in for an initial consultation with a specialist consultant surgeon to discuss an Hyperhidrosis operation, at our award-winning clinic based in Chelsea, London. During this appointment, your surgeon will discuss your concerns, medical history and desired outcomes to ensure you are suitable for Hyperhidrosis treatment surgery. After your consultation, they will write up your treatment plan and return it to your patient advisor.

Your patient advisor will contact you to discuss the plan, your final quotation and surgery dates. You will have time to consider whether you would like to go ahead with your Armpit Sweat Gland Removal surgery before you confirm.

Ahead of your procedure

Your surgeon will advise you about any preparations you need to make for your surgery during your consultation. This may include:

Not taking certain medications or supplements including aspirin, which may cause excess bleeding
Being asked to fast for up to two hours before your procedure

If there is anything specific to you, which may affect your operation for excessive sweating, your surgeon will discuss this with you to ensure your procedure goes ahead smoothly.

The procedure

You will be asked to arrive at the clinic 30 minutes before your Hyperhidrosis surgery is due to begin. This will give your team time to prepare you for surgery and also for you to speak with your surgeon to ask any final questions.

You will be taken into one of our state-of-the-art procedure rooms, where your surgeon will inject local anaesthetic into your armpits. This will numb the area, so you are comfortable during the procedure. Your surgeon will then make a series of small incisions in your armpits to allow them to remove the sweat glands. Once complete, the incisions will be closed with dissolvable stitches, dressings will be applied, and you will be prepared to be discharged. The treated areas may feel numb for a few hours following the procedure.

Depending on the severity of your concerns, up to three procedures may be required to remove the suitable number of sweat glands to achieve the desired result.

Recovery

Downtime following Sweat Gland Removal is minimal, and recovery usually takes one to two weeks. You will have been provided with any medication you may need to reduce discomfort and remain comfortable. It is essential to keep the treated areas and dressings clean and dry. Your surgeon will ask you to wear loose clothing during your recovery period and avoid exercise or strenuous activities for two weeks to protect your incisions.

You will have a follow-up appointment booked with your surgeon to discuss your recovery and results, usually four to six weeks after your procedure.

Skin Health Specialists

We have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.

Our Surgeons

Words From Our Founder

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Surgeries such as Axillary Sweat Gland Removal can significantly improve the lives of patients who struggle with the effects of excessive sweating in their daily lives. It is always gratifying to see the improvements in confidence and quality of life for these patients, especially when they are achieved with such a simple procedure.

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my sweat glands removed?

Sweat Gland Removal surgery is suitable for patients experiencing moderate to severe Hyperhidrosis and who have found other treatments unsuccessful or unsuitable for long-term treatment. Whether you can get your sweat glands removed will depend on your concerns and medical history. The best way to find out if you are suitable for Sweat Gland Removal is by booking a consultation with one of our expert consultant surgeons, who will assess you and recommend the best excess sweating treatment to meet your needs.

What is Hyperhidrosis surgery?

Hyperhidrosis surgery, UK, also known as Axillary Sweat Gland Removal, is a procedure performed under local anaesthetic to remove a portion of the sweat glands in the armpits to reduce excess sweating. Small incisions are made in the armpits, and your surgeon will cut away some sweat glands. This doesn’t stop sweating completely but will reduce excess sweating to a level where it is comfortable and manageable. For patients whose excess sweating concerns are more severe, up to three procedures may be required to remove enough sweat glands, and for the surgery to be effective.

What happens if your sweat glands are removed?

Removing sweat glands is an effective way to treat Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. Although removing sweat glands won’t stop sweating completely, sweating can be reduced by 60-90% improving comfort and quality of life for many patients.

Can I live without sweat glands?

Removing sweat glands from small areas of the body to control excessive sweating is healthy and unproblematic. However, sweat glands cannot be removed completely or from larger areas as sweating is natural process which is required to regulate body temperature. Axillary Sweat Gland Removal doesn’t involve removing sweat glands entirely from the armpits, and some are left in-tact in order to facilitate the body’s natural functions.

Do sweat glands regrow?

Following an operation for excessive sweating, the sweat glands are permanently removed and cannot regrow. This means that the reduction of sweating from the armpits is permanent.

Will I sweat more from other areas after Sweat Gland Removal surgery?

In some rare cases, patients may experience compensatory sweating where other areas of the body produce more sweat to make up for the loss of sweat from the armpits. This is a rare complication, and your surgeon will discuss the risk of this occurring and how it is managed during your consultation.

Get in touch

One of our friendly staff will be delighted to help with your enquiry.

0207 901 8500

Or send us an enquiry