Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, can be uncontrollable, annoying, and embarrassing. Sweating is the body’s mechanism to cool itself. The body’s sweat glands are automatically triggered when body temperature rises. Hyperhidrosis occurs when the nerves responsible for triggering sweat production become overactive. Often, there is no underlying cause of heavy sweating; this type is called primary hyperhidrosis and primarily affects the palms of hands, soles of feet, and the face. Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs when excessive sweating can be attributed to an underlying medical condition, which is more likely to cause sweating all over the body.
Over-the-counter antiperspirants are often no match against hyperhidrosis and only manage the symptoms. Clinical strength antiperspirants can be prescribed by a physician, but these also only help provide symptom relief and can cause skin irritation. Those who experience hyperhidrosis can also manage symptoms by wearing clothes specifically designed to absorb moisture, including undershirts, T-shirts, dress shirts, and underarm pads.
Botox for Hyperhidrosis
For those seeking a more direct approach to addressing hyperhidrosis, Botox® may be the ideal solution. Botox treatments block the nerves that signal sweat production, which reduces the amount of sweat the injected area produces.
Botox was approved by the FDA in 2004 to successfully treat excessive sweating in the underarms, hands, and feet. Injections administered to problem areas have been shown to help significantly reduce the amount of sweat produced. The effects can last up to a year, and hyperhidrosis is usually not as severe after the medication wears off.
How It Works
Botox (also known as onabotulinumtoxinA) is a natural, purified protein. When injected into the problem site, Botox temporarily blocks the body’s chemical signals to the nerves that cause sweat gland production. Botox injections are minimally invasive, injected just below the surface of the skin.
Research & Effectiveness
Research has shown Botox to be a safe and effective treatment for excessive sweating in the underarms, hands, and feet. In one clinical study involving 322 patients with severe underarm sweating, 81 percent of the patients receiving injections achieved a more than 50 percent reduction in sweating, and 50 percent of the patients experienced excessive sweating relief for at least 201 days (nearly 7 months), with some experiencing relief for over a year.
Schedule a complimentary consultation with us today for more information on our Botox treatments and to see if you are a candidate.
