A laser training center since 2008 · Zagreb & Daruvar
Laser Surgery for Excessive Sweating in Croatia
Excessive underarm sweating is not a matter of hygiene — it is a matter of overactive sweat glands. At Polyclinic Maletić we treat it with a laser surgery we introduced to Croatia in 2008, and before the procedure we assess whether it is primary hyperhidrosis and whether the laser is the right method.
Excessive underarm sweating can mean visible marks on clothing, irritated skin, and the need to change several times a day. It is not the result of poor hygiene, but of overactive sweat glands. Before choosing a therapy, primary hyperhidrosis needs to be distinguished from sweating caused by another medical condition or a medication.
Is this for me?
What excessive sweating is
Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a condition in which the sweat glands work overactively and without the usual trigger, such as high temperature or physical exertion. It most often affects the underarms, palms, and feet. An estimated 1–3% of people have hyperhidrosis — a medically recognized condition that can be treated.
Primary and secondary sweating
Primary hyperhidrosis is often hereditary, begins at a younger age, and affects limited areas — typically the underarms, palms, or feet. Secondary sweating can be linked to a thyroid disorder, hormonal changes, medications, or other illnesses. An examination therefore establishes which form is involved, and when a secondary cause is suspected, its workup and treatment are recommended first.
How it is performed
Botox or laser — what is the difference
Both Botox and laser surgery are used for excessive underarm sweating, but they work in different ways. Botox temporarily blocks the nerve signal that stimulates the sweat glands. The effect lasts several months, so the treatment is most often repeated about twice a year.
Laser surgery acts directly on the sweat glands in the underarm, which is why the reduction of sweating is lasting. Unlike the injection-based Botox treatment, this is a surgery under local anesthesia. The choice of method depends on the intensity of the sweating, your expectations, and whether you want a temporary or a longer-lasting option.
“Botox is a simple and effective option, but its effect lasts several months and the treatment has to be repeated. The laser is a surgery that achieves a lasting reduction of sweating, so we choose the method according to the findings and the patient’s expectations.”
How we perform the laser surgery
Before the procedure, an iodine-starch test is performed to mark the areas of the most pronounced sweating. The underarm area is coated with iodine and dusted with starch; the spots where sweat appears turn dark and serve as a map of the area to be treated. The procedure is performed in the operating room under local anesthesia. Through a few openings two to three millimeters wide, the neodymium Nd:YAG Fotona laser acts on the sweat glands just beneath the skin.
- Result
- a lasting reduction of sweating
- Anesthesia
- local, included in the price
- Recovery
- back to usual activities after a few days
- Performed by
- Duško Maletić, MD, MSc, and Mario Bartol, MD
The goal is not to stop sweating completely, but to reduce it by approximately 70–80% while preserving the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. This expected range of results is explained before the procedure.
“The goal of treatment is not to stop sweating completely, but to bring it down to a normal level. Sweating is the body’s natural way of regulating temperature — which is why we reduce it, not remove it.”
Duško Maletić, MD, MSc, was the first in Croatia to perform laser surgery for excessive sweating, in 2008. Today the Polyclinic runs laser-procedure training for physicians from Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The procedure is performed by Duško Maletić, MD, MSc, a specialist in surgery and founder of the Polyclinic, and Mario Bartol, MD.
The technology behind the results
The lasers we work with
At Polyclinic Maletić we work exclusively with lasers made by Fotona — a collaboration that dates back to 2008, when we also became its training center. The device is only one part of the story, because the outcome of a procedure is decided by the knowledge with which it is applied.
Physicians from the United States, Canada, Australia, Dubai, Russia, Israel, Turkey, and other parts of the world come to our polyclinic to learn about laser procedures and see how we work. In Daruvar there is a training hall with live broadcasts of procedures from the operating room, so learning happens on real clinical cases.
Our physicians — Ines Maletić; Duško Maletić, MD, MSc; and Mario Bartol — regularly take part in Fotona’s international meetings, which bring together experts in laser medicine. What they learn there, we apply in our work with patients.
For laser surgery for excessive sweating we use the neodymium (Nd:YAG) Fotona laser (XP-2).
- Training center since 2008
- Fotona Laser & Health Academy
- Live surgery broadcasts from the operating room
Why us
Why choose us for laser surgery for excessive sweating
A family polyclinic since 1998
Today two generations of the Maletić family work at the Polyclinic, in Zagreb and Daruvar.
A training center since 2008
In collaboration with the Fotona Laser & Health Academy, we run laser-procedure training for physicians from other countries.
Croatia’s first laser sweating surgery
Duško Maletić, MD, MSc, was the first in Croatia to perform this laser surgery, in 2008.
International surgeon training
Surgeons from Europe, the Americas, and Asia have taken part in training at the Polyclinic.
Nd:YAG Fotona laser
For the procedure we use the neodymium Nd:YAG Fotona laser XP-2.
A lasting reduction of sweating
The laser acts on the sweat glands, whereas the effect of Botox is maintained by repeating the treatment, most often twice a year.
Assessing the cause of sweating
With mild or secondary sweating, a more suitable conservative method or a workup of the cause is considered first.
Zagreb and Daruvar
The Polyclinic’s team is with you through preparation, the procedure, and postoperative follow-up.
Why trust us
When the procedure is not needed, and the risks
The laser is not the first method for every form of sweating. With mild symptoms, medical antiperspirants can be tried first. If the sweating is linked to an illness or a medication, the cause needs to be worked up and treated. Patients who want a simpler and reversible method may be better suited to Botox.
“If the sweating is mild or linked to another medical condition, laser surgery is not the first choice. In that case we first recommend a more suitable therapy or a workup of the cause.”
Risks and recovery
The laser surgery is performed locally, through openings two to three millimeters wide, so it does not leave large surgical scars. After the procedure, temporary tenderness, swelling, and bruising can appear in the underarm area and subside over a few days. Unlike sympathectomy, in which part of the nerve pathway is cut, the laser acts locally on the sweat glands and does not carry the typical risk of compensatory sweating on other parts of the body.
A return to usual activities is possible after a few days. During the first days you should avoid heavier exertion and wide arm movements. The result is assessed once the initial healing is complete.
Real results
The iodine-starch test, before and after
Who we are
Who will be taking care of you
The procedure is performed by Duško Maletić, MD, MSc, a specialist in surgery and founder of the Polyclinic, and Mario Bartol, MD. The Polyclinic has been operating since 1998, and today two generations of the Maletić family work here. Nurses take part in preparation for the procedure, postoperative care, and follow-up visits in Zagreb and Daruvar.
Excessive sweating can be a sensitive subject, so the conversation and the examination are conducted confidentially and without hurry. The goal is to clearly establish the cause of the symptoms, explain the treatment options, and set realistic expectations of the procedure.
Meet the whole team
Price
Price and the first step
Laser surgery for excessive underarm sweating costs €1,800.00, with local anesthesia included in the price. All prices are available in the price list. At the consultation, the type and intensity of the sweating, its possible cause, and the suitability of the laser procedure are assessed. Read more about our laser methods on the Laser Center page.
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Laser surgery for excessive sweating (underarms)
Patient reviews
What our patients say
Reviews taken from our Google Business profiles, Zagreb and Daruvar, translated from Croatian.
★★★★★
“I recently had a varicose vein procedure. All praise to the entire team.”
★★★★★
“Since high school I watched the double chin I inherited from my father grow more and more pronounced — and 15 years later, the double chin is gone. A big thank you to Dr. Maletić and the whole team for making my wish come true. The procedure was painless, and so was the recovery, with results visible after just a few days. The entire team was exceptionally kind and cheerful, and the atmosphere very pleasant. I left the polyclinic satisfied, and when, two days after the swelling went down, I saw that the double chin was gone, my satisfaction knew no bounds. I warmly recommend Polyclinic Maletić.”
★★★★★
“My experience with breast augmentation with Dr. Maletić in Daruvar was excellent. I am extremely satisfied with the result. All the nurses are very kind and professional. I absolutely recommend them.”
★★★★★
“All praise for Polyclinic Maletić in Daruvar! I had lip augmentation with fillers and I am very satisfied with the result. I would especially like to commend Dr. Mario Bartol, who is exceptionally kind, professional, and has a wonderful approach to patients, which made me feel comfortable and safe throughout the treatment. All the nurses are also very kind, accommodating, and professional. I warmly recommend them to anyone considering aesthetic treatments!”
★★★★★
“Laser acne treatment is the only treatment that helped me, and I would not choose any other facial treatment over it. Dr. Ines is one of the kindest people I have ever met and always has useful advice. Kind staff and top-level service — I warmly recommend her to everyone!”
★★★★★
“I had a wart on my face removed by laser. A very professional service with excellent results. The wart was quite large, but after just one treatment it was gone. Highly recommended!”
★★★★★
“Blepharoplasty, 4D laser and double chin. Perfect. Highly recommended!”
★★★★★
“The best team of physicians, exceptionally professional and kind. I have been loyal to Polyclinic Maletić for more than 10 years and I am always satisfied with the results. Thank you.”
★★★★★
“I came to Dr. Maletić with a big problem and a lot of stress. I was met with such warm empathy and kindness, and patience in answering all my questions. Thank you, Dr. Maletić, for the advice and sincere support. I know I can always turn to her for advice, and that means a lot to me. The staff of the Zagreb polyclinic are also very accommodating and kind. Thanks to them as well.”
★★★★★
“Dr. Maletić’s practice, both in Daruvar and in Zagreb — and I have had several procedures — I can only recommend, because I felt very comfortable there and in expert hands!”
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
How does the laser differ from Botox for sweating?
Botox temporarily blocks the signal that stimulates the sweat glands, so its effect fades after several months and the treatment is most often repeated twice a year. The laser acts on the sweat glands in the underarm, which makes the reduction of sweating more lasting. Botox is delivered by injections, while the laser method is a shorter surgery under local anesthesia. The choice depends on the findings, your expectations, and whether you want a temporary or a longer-lasting method.
Is the result permanent, and will the sweating come back?
Because the laser acts on the sweat glands, the achieved reduction of sweating is lasting and does not require regular repetition the way Botox does. Clinical studies record a maintained reduction even several years after the procedure. The goal is not to stop sweating completely, but to bring it down to a normal level.
Does the procedure hurt, and what anesthesia is used?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during it, although pressure and pulling are possible. It is performed through a few openings two to three millimeters wide, which is why the postoperative marks are small. Mild tenderness is possible afterward and is eased with common painkillers.
Will I stop sweating completely?
No. Sweating plays a part in regulating body temperature, so the goal of the procedure is not to stop it completely but to reduce it by approximately 70–80%. That brings excessive sweating down to a far more acceptable level while preserving thermoregulation.
Will I start sweating more somewhere else?
In sympathectomy, part of the nerve pathway is cut, so some patients can develop compensatory sweating on other parts of the body. The laser method acts locally on the sweat glands in the underarm and does not carry the typical risk of compensatory sweating associated with sympathectomy.
How long is the recovery?
A return to usual activities is possible after a few days. During the first days you should avoid heavier exertion and wide arm movements; detailed instructions are given after the procedure and at the follow-up visit.
Do you also treat palms and feet with the laser?
The laser surgery described on this page applies to the underarm area. Excessive sweating of the palms and feet is treated with other methods, chosen according to the area, the intensity of the symptoms, and the findings.
Book a consultation for laser surgery for excessive sweating
Zagreb and Daruvar, weekdays 8:00–20:00.