Botox for Hyperhidrosis
Overview
Botox is a quick, non-surgical solution for anyone suffering from hyperhidrosis, offering patients relief from excessive sweating. If you have this condition and prescription antiperspirants have not been effective, Botox may be the right choice for you.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. It affects about 3% of the U.S. population.
Armpit sweating is one of the body’s natural processes. It is your body’s mechanism for regulating internal temperature when you are in a situation where you can become overheated, such as during exercise, when you feel nervous, or find yourself in a warm place. Sweating cools the body to ensure it can continue to function normally. Once you remove yourself from the situation (e.g., go to an air-conditioned room), your body should respond by stopping the sweating process.
For those with hyperhidrosis, there is no signal to “turn off” their overactive sweat glands This excessive sweating most commonly occurs in the hands, armpits, and feet.
What Causes Hyperhidrosis?
There are two types of hyperhidrosis: Primary hyperhidrosis and secondary generalized hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis results from overactive sweat glands in specific areas of your body, such as your armpits, hands, feet, or face. The exact cause of primary hyperhidrosis is still unknown, although some studies show there could be a genetic component to it.
Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition. It can also be a side effect of some types of medication. Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis occurs over large areas of the body rather than a specific area.
Examples of conditions that are known to have hyperhidrosis as a side effect include:
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Cancer
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Stroke
- Menopause
- Spinal cord injuries
- Hyperthyroidism
- Parkinson’s disease
- Infectious diseases (e.g., HIV and tuberculosis)
Medications that can cause hyperhidrosis include:
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- Protriptyline
Learn more about Botox for hyperhidrosis here.
Treat Hyperhidrosis With Botox in San Diego
Our board-certified dermatologists at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology are expert Botox injectors. We have conducted many clinical trials, including the original FDA approval research trial almost 20 years ago, giving us the experience and ability to provide excellent results using this versatile injectable,
Are you tired of dealing with excessive sweating? Our board-certified dermatologists can customize the best treatment plan for you. To learn more about the benefits of Botox injections for sweating, contact us today to schedule a consultation at our medical spa.
What to Expect
How do Botox Injections Work with Hyperhidrosis?
Botox Cosmetic alters the function of certain neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that instruct the body to respond in a certain way (e.g., sweating when it’s hot). When you receive Botox injections directly into an area that commonly sweats, it prevents your nerves from sending a signal to your sweat glands, significantly reducing the amount of sweat your body produces.
Botox for hyperhidrosis will only prevent sweating in the area where Botox or other neuromodulators such as Daxxify®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, or Jeuveau® are injected.
How Many Units of Botox Are Needed for Armpit Sweating?
Most patients need about 50 units of Botox for each arm to treat excessive sweating. Your provider will customize your treatment to your precise needs after a thorough medical evaluation. A topical anesthetic cream can be used for numbing.
How Effective is Botox for Sweating?
Botox can be used in all three areas where hyperhidrosis most commonly occurs and has been found to decrease underarm moisture by 82%-87%, with dryness lasting between 3-12 months.
In addition to reduced sweating, odor decreases too. The odor from sweaty underarms is caused by bacteria that like to live and breed in warm, damp places. Eliminating the moisture helps get rid of the odor-causing bacteria.
It must be noted, however, that getting Botox for underarm sweating does not eliminate the need to wear deodorant or antiperspirant. Botox is an effective treatment for profuse sweating, but people will still experience a bit of sweating. Using deodorants and antiperspirants would still be helpful in looking and feeling comfortable.
How Long Does Botox for Excessive Sweating Last?
On average, Botox injections for underarm sweating last anywhere from 3 to 12 months, with touch-up treatments needed every 7-16 months to maintain results.
Is Botox in the Armpits Safe?
Botox is FDA-approved for treating severe armpit sweating that cannot be controlled by prescription antiperspirants and other topical treatments.
Some patients may experience minor and temporary complications. Symptoms might include headaches, slight pain, swelling or bruising at the injection sites, and sweating in sites other than the armpits.
The risk of side effects is rare, especially in the hands of experienced injectors.
Since Botox only targets a small percentage of the sweat glands in the body, this treatment will not affect your body’s ability to regulate internal temperature through untreated sweat glands.
