Botox for excessive sweating: How does it work?

One of the effective methods for treating excessive sweating is Botox. It is a very common procedure for such medical conditions. Many types of research proved its effectiveness in reducing armpits severe sweating. However, you must be aware of all the possible benefits and side effects.

What is Botox?

Botox is a very famous preparation to use for different cosmetic and medical conditions. It is made from Botulinum Toxin, which is very dangerous in high doses. However, as a medical drug, it has many benefits and can be used for reducing facial creases, treating migraines or headaches, and even help with crossed eyes (read more here). In general, Botox affects the nerve endings. It helps to block certain nerve signals and stop muscles from contraction.

How does Botox work for sweating?

In cases of Hyperhidrosis, which is severe sweating, Botox has a similar mechanism of action as usual. It paralyzes overactive nerves, so they wouldn’t be able to signal the sweat glands. Therefore, severe sweating stops. Such treatment was officially approved and can be used both for severe and medium cases of sweating. However, it is important to know that Botox can decrease sweating only in areas where it is injected. 

What is the procedure?

Generally, the procedure is very simple and could be finished in 10 minutes. The most typical place of injection for excessive sweating isthe armpits. However, it can be used for other parts of a body such as hands, feet, chest, under the breasts, head, back, etc. There are still a lot of studies on which areas it is allowed to use Botox. So, consult your doctor about what usage is better for you.

During the procedure, Botox is injected deep in the muscle. After the injection, there may be small bruises. Also, some doctors recommend to don’t shave your armpits for a few days after the procedure and don’t take very hot showers.

What are the side effects?

Botox is a pretty safe preparation. However, the appearance of possible side effects directly depends on the skills of your specialist. So, choose your doctor very carefully.

Among the side effects, there is a possibility of:

• Weakness of certain muscles.
• Headache.
• Pain of armpits.
• Dry mouth.
• Symptoms that are similar to the flu.
• Difficulty in breathing, rash, or weakness of the muscles all over the body are rare symptoms and require medical consultation.

How long does it last? What are the pros and cons of Botox injections?

The duration effect of a single Botox injection depends on the area of a body. Usually, it is supposed to last between 4 and 12 months. Just one injection won’t solve your problem with sweating. However, after only a few days after the procedure, there will be a noticeable change. In some cases, there is a necessity for injections every 4 or 6 months.

If to speak about the pros and cons, there are some good advantages of using Botox:

1. It is effective. Researches show that Botox injections can decrease armpits sweating by more than 80%.
2. Botox has a pretty long duration effect.
3. The procedure is almost painless.

However, consider possible problematic issues:

1. It may be expensive. Botox for sweating can cost about 1000$. Sometimes, medical insurance can cover all the expenses. Especially, in the cases when it is proved that any other treatment, except Botox, is not helpful for you.
2. You must repeat the procedure over and over to decrease severe sweating. Also, not all parts of the body could be injected.
3. There is a possibility of risks and side effects. However, the chances of having side effects are lower if the procedure is done by a qualified specialist.

Also, doctors don’t recommend using Botox for women who are breastfeeding or pregnant, and for people who had disorders of the neuromuscular system in the past.
Always contact your specialist to know whether you should do Botox injections or not. Such procedures are costly but effective. In the long run, after multiple injections, you can reduce most of the unpleasant effects of excessive sweating. The feedback from patients and doctors are positive. So, contact your doctor or discover more information about Botox injections.