Sweating is normal. At its most basic, it’s your body’s way of regulating its temperature by releasing a salty fluid from the sweat glands. There are many things that can make us merely perspire but when excessive, it can indicate secondary causes such as diabetes or even a genetic predisposition, which means it happens even when your body does not need to cool down.

Either way, it can be embarrassing in social situations and quite distressing in professional settings, especially if it discolours our clothes.

While it’s recognised that the best treatment is to target the underlying cause, the worst effects of under-arm sweating, or axillary hyperhidrosis, can be treated by injectable neuromodulators, the sort used to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

They are effective in blocking the release of acetylcholine, which combines with your sweat glands to signal the release of sweat.

Their success in reducing the activity of these glands in underarm areas is well known but they can also be used in other areas such as the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis).

What does it involve?
A series of small injections in the affected area. The procedure lasts about 30 minutes.

What are the attractions?
It’s a lot less invasive than a surgical option, generally safe and the pain is minimal, especially when injected in the armpits. It’s also got a good record, with one study reporting a 90 per cent decrease in sweat production within 14 days.