What Is Hyperhidrosis Botox Treatment
Hyperhidrosis Botox® treatment has proven to be an effective treatment for hyperhidrosis, or severe underarm sweating. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition caused by over-stimulated sweat glands. People with this condition often produce four to five times more sweat than people who do not suffer from hyperhidrosis.
When injected into the underarm area, Botox helps to control excessive sweating by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When these glands no longer receive the chemical signals, the excessive underarm sweating stops.
Treatment Information
A small amount of Botox is injected through a very fine gauge needle into the underarm area. Discomfort is minimal during treatment. Depending on the severity of the hyperhidrosis, multiple injections may be needed.
Within two to four weeks of the initial treatment there will be significant reduction in underarm sweating. There is a possibility that some sweat glands may be missed during the Botox injections. If this occurs, underarm sweating may continue from the untreated areas and a touch-up treatment may be needed.
Results
Results vary from person to person; however, Botox injections for hyperhidrosis treatment will need to be repeated every four to six months.
In one clinical study, 81 percent of patients treated with Botox achieved a greater than 50 percent reduction in excessive underarm sweating. Keep in mind, Botox is not a permanent cure for hyperhidrosis, it is simply a treatment for it. Over time, the symptoms will gradually return if repeat injections are not performed. Depending on the severity of the condition, injections may need to be repeated two or three times a year.
FAQs
How Can I Prepare for Hyperhidrosis Treatment?
Bruising is a possible side effect of Botox® injections for hyperhidrosis. To help reduce this risk, we suggest that you avoid using medications, supplements, and products that can thin the blood. If you take a prescription blood thinner, it is necessary to talk to your prescribing doctor before altering your dosage. Over-the-counter products like fish oil, ibuprofen, and aspirin should be avoided for about one week prior to your injections. As an alternative, you may take acetaminophen if needed.
To minimize sensitivity and skin irritation, you should avoid shaving the armpits within 48 hours of your appointment. If you would like to shave, just be sure to do so two days before your treatment. The same goes for laser hair removal, waxing, and other forms of hair removal.
If you have questions about how to manage comfort during your hyperhidrosis treatment, give us a call! You may be able to take acetaminophen or apply a topical numbing product to the treatment area before your appointment. Our team can discuss the best measures to take to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Hyperhidrosis Treatment With Botox?
Botox is approved for the treatment of hyperhidrosis in adults over the age of 18. Generally, it is recommended when more conservative treatments like prescription antiperspirants have failed to achieve the desired improvement. To help you determine if this injectable treatment would be right for your situation, your doctor will perform a thorough consultation and medical history review. Your safety and satisfaction are important to us! Talk to your doctor about the medications that you take and any medical conditions that you have, especially muscle-related conditions. You should not schedule Botox hyperhidrosis treatment if you have had cosmetic Botox treatment in the previous four months. Finally, Botox is not approved for women who are pregnant or nursing.
If you're wondering whether Botox might be your ticket to freedom from hyperhidrosis, please don't hesitate to contact us! A consultation with one of our providers can supply you with all of the information you need to fully understand the pros and cons of this treatment.
How Many Treatments Will I Need in Order to See Results?
You can expect to notice an improvement in the amount of underarm sweat you experience within a week of your Botox treatment for hyperhidrosis. We may have you touch base with the office one to two weeks after your treatment to ensure that the area was sufficiently treated. Sometimes, a touch-up is needed shortly after the first treatment to address any nerve signals that are still happening. Once we've achieved great results, you may not have to return for maintenance injections for seven to 16 months.
What Can I Expect After My First Hyperhidrosis Botox Treatment?
There are very few side effects associated with Botox treatment for hyperhidrosis. Generally, we advise patients to anticipate localized bruising, redness, and soreness or tenderness under their arms. You might also experience mild flu-like symptoms like muscle weakness and headache after your treatment. These should resolve within a few hours to a few days. Your provider can discuss how you can manage these side effects if they do occur.
Is there any Downtime After Treatment?
You don't need to take any time off from work or most normal activities to recover from your Botox injections. To prevent unnecessary irritation, you should simply avoid applying any product to your underarm area for 12 hours. This includes antiperspirant and deodorant. Also, postpone that workout until the day after your injections. This will help you avoid exaggerated redness and swelling.
What Happens When The Botox Hyperhidrosis Treatment Ends?
Botox has a temporary effect on the nerves that stimulate sweating, just like it has a temporary effect on wrinkles. You can expect to enjoy less sweating for several months after your injections. As the product wears off, your sweat production will gradually increase to where it was before your Botox hyperhidrosis treatment. When this happens, give us a call and we'll schedule you for another round of injections to keep you sweat-free!