Botox for sweating (hyperhidrosis treatment)

• less invasive than surgical treatment
• minimal pain when injected in the armpits
• generally safe
• can be an effective treatment, with one study finding a 90 percent decrease in sweat production 2 weeks after the procedure

Botox injections block the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which binds with your sweat glands to signal the release of sweat.

Normally, your nervous system activates your sweat glands when your body temperature rises. This is how your body automatically cools itself. In people with hyperhidrosis, however, the nerves that signal the sweat glands are overactive.

When you receive Botox injections directly into the area of your body that commonly sweats, your overactive nerves are essentially paralyzed. When your nerves can’t signal your sweat glands, you don’t sweat. However, Botox only prevents sweating in the specific area where it’s injected.

Currently, Botox has only been approved for the treatment of underarm sweating. Studies have found varying results, but there’s ample evidence that Botox can reduce armpit sweat production by more than 50 percent for at least 6 months.

Palms. A limited amount of research has investigated the effectiveness of Botox for palm sweating. Studies have found that Botox may reduce sweating by roughly 25 to 50 percent for 3 weeks to 6 months.

Face. A very limited amount of research has found that Botox may help treat facial sweating. Studies have found Botox could reduce facial sweating for 5 to 6 months.

Soles of feet. Botox may help control sweating on the soles of the feet, however few studies have been done. 

Botox injections are a simple and quick procedure done right in your CIDK doctor. Doctors ask that you wear a short-sleeved shirt and avoid shaving your armpits for 2 or 3 days prior to your appointment. If you take blood thinners, your doctor in CIDK may ask you to stop for a few days before your injections to prevent bruising. Tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking and don’t stop taking any medications unless your doctor tells you to.

Your doctor may also recommend wearing a dark-colored shirt to avoid getting ink on it.

Your appointment in CIDK will likely last about 45 minutes but the injections will only take 20 to 30 minutes.

Botox injections work best when given by an experienced practitioner like as in CIDK. Injections don’t take long and can be completed during an CIDK visit. A professional in CIDK will mark your skin with ink and inject the Botox medication just below the surface of the skin using a fine needle. You’ll receive 15 to 20 injections that form a grid pattern around your area of concern. 

The practitioner in CIDK  may give you something to prevent pain, like ice or a numbing agent.

You can return to work and normal life as soon as you’re done with your Botox injections. The practitioner in CIDK will likely ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment to check in and touch up any missed spots.

You can resume your normal activities immediately after receiving Botox injections. It usually takes between 2 and 4 days to notice your results and 2 weeks for the injections to take full effect.

The effects of Botox are temporary, which means you’ll need more injections in the future. For underarm sweating, booster injections are generally needed every 7 to 16 months. Results may not last as long for the hands and feet, and you may need to repeat your treatment after about 6 months. However, there’s still limited research examining the effectiveness of Botox for these body parts.

You should be able to go home immediately after your procedure. Generally, little aftercare is needed. You may feel tender around the treated area for the next day or so.

Your doctor will likely want you to follow up about 2 weeks after your appointment once the Botox takes full effect. You may need an additional procedure to treat any missed spots.

Doctors in CIDK recommend avoiding deodorant or products with perfume under your arms for about 12 to 24 hours to avoid irritation. Avoiding intense exercise and hot baths for 1 to 2 days may also help.