It’s estimated that over 6 million people in the United States suffer from hyperhidrosis. It's also referred to as focal hyperhidrosis, which is a condition where people sweat more excessively than normal because of an issue with their body's thermoregulation.
Not only is hyperhidrosis problematic in social settings, but it can also cause significant distress and discomfort to individuals. This is the main reason why many people decide to undergo botox injections for sweat reduction or elimination.
The hyperhidrosis botox procedure requires multiple sessions to reach maximum efficacy. It acts by relaxing the body's sweat glands and may reduce symptoms such as excessive underarm sweating for many months.
Botox injections have a long track record of safety and efficacy in treating overactive sweat glands successfully. Botox is a purified protein also known as botulinum toxin type A, is a widely-used treatment for excessive sweating that is both safe and effective.
The patented neurotoxin botulinum, also called botulinum toxin type A or B, is used to treat frown lines, fine lines, vertical lines between the eyes, crow's feet around the eyes, and other facial wrinkles.
Botox is used to treat excessive sweating from the following parts of the body:
One of the most common ways to deliver Botox is through dermal injection. A fine needle is used to inject small amounts of Botox into the skin. Dermal injections give most patients with hyperhidrosis and their doctors greater precision and control over affected areas.
With that said, we will examine some pros and cons of Botox for hyperhidrosis and whether it is the ideal treatment for you.
Botox injections inhibit the transmission of chemical messages from the brain to the sweat glands. Botox works by neutralizing acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that instructs the brain to sweat. This results in partial or complete prevention of excessive sweating. This prevents the release of sweat from sweat glands into the underarms, temporarily reducing wetness and odor.
Dermatologists describe Botox injections for excessive sweating as a game changer and state that it is safer and more effective than iontophoresis. Botox is used to treat excessive underarm sweating by 80%, excessive palm sweating by 80%, and facial sweating ranging from severe to mild by 50 to 80%.
Botox has proven success rates to control sweating across the board with 94-98% of patients experiencing relief for up to six months.
Surgically invasive procedures are not always the way to treat excessive sweating. Botox is a non-invasive and painless procedure for treating excessive sweating that can be completed in minutes, with no surgery or recovery time.
Additionally, a Botox treatment is non-surgical and will not leave any marks or scars on your body. Surgical treatments increase the risk of infection, nerve damage, and skin damage, not to mention a long recovery time. In addition, this non-invasive method has been proven to be successful in treating mild to moderate sweating problems.
Botox is a trusty solution for hyperhidrosis. While each appointment takes about thirty minutes, the procedure only requires a mere 15-20 minutes for completion. The procedure has no downtime, so you can continue with your regular schedule immediately after treatment is completed.
Injectable Botox has been approved by crucial trusted sources such as the FDA and IHHS. This means it is safe for the nervous system, well-tested, and effective to be used as a treatment for hyperhidrosis. The FDA stamp of approval means this topical solution for sweaty hands and underarm sweating has been clinically tested and tried by patients.
Overall, the effects of Botox for hyperhidrosis are relatively long-lasting, but not permanent. Botox is considered to be highly effective when administered by a board-certified dermatologist or other qualified physicians.
It can last for three to six months or even longer after the injections, although excessive sweating will eventually return to its pretreatment level.
A lot of people treat excessive sweating as a minor inconvenience: an inconvenient one to be sure, but completely bearable. But if you ask someone who has to deal with it every day, they could have a completely different viewpoint on things.
As such, below are some cons of hyperhidrosis Botox treatments that you might want to consider.
Botox for Hyperhidrosis is an expensive procedure. The cost of Botox for hyperhidrosis varies from doctor to doctor and from top board-certified Dermatologists to Medical Spas or general plastic surgeons.
In addition, the dose of Botox administered varies from person to person and depends on the injection sites. Individual clinics and board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons can charge anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 per treatment.
Botox for hyperhidrosis is not permanent. How long your treatment lasts will depend on the patient's response to the treatment. It is key to understand that, like most medical treatments, Botox can take several weeks to start working for some patients.
The effect you see immediately after your treatment is the result of local anesthetic taking effect.
Botox is not suitable for all areas of the body and needs to be prescribed by a medical professional.
For instance, this procedure is not suitable for use in patients with an allergy to any botulinum toxin preparation, autoimmune disease, or a history of cerebrovascular accident, myasthenia gravis, or other underlying medical condition which would predispose to complications associated with multiple injections.
There are potential side effects of Botox that can be experienced by people who have had the treatment. Under normal circumstances, the side effects such as muscle weakness are mild and disappear shortly after. However, if they continue, you should report them back to your esthetician or registered nurses to find out why they are happening.
Some of the most common Botox side effects include:
When it comes to trying Botox for sweating, it's equally important to take these side effects into consideration. While Botox can help reduce sweating, a visit to your doctor's office can help you determine whether injecting Botox is an available treatment option for you.
Many individuals in Greater Boston and throughout the region rely on Skin Deep Med Spa to get rid of excessive armpit sweating. We offer Botox treatments for this affliction, and we utilize the latest techniques, high-quality products, and innovative equipment to get the desired results.
Our staff of licensed, professional medical professionals is experienced and knowledgeable, and we're dedicated to providing you with the excellent healthcare that you deserve.Call today at (617) 812-0954 to schedule your initial appointment.
Bachelors of Science in Nursing
Michelle Cory, R.N. worked in emergency medicine for eighteen years before developing a passion for aesthetic nursing and has now practiced for over seventeen years. Cory is an expert injector with extensive training in neuromodulators and dermal fillers, specializing in non-surgical facial aesthetics while understanding the importance of combination therapy. Her expertise is in listening to her patients and customizing an individualized treatment plan based on the clients needs.
All content are reviewed by Nichole Starr, R.N., owner and founder of Skin Deep Med Spa.
