Hyperhidrosis Treatment with Botox
Hyperhidrosis means that your body produces more sweat than needed to keep your body temperature normal. This excessive sweating can happen without any obvious reason. While this can affect any part of your body, it commonly occurs in the armpits, palms of hands, and soles of feet. Some people may also experience it on their scalp, chest, back, or groin area. When regular treatments like special antiperspirants don't work well enough, Botox injections can be a helpful option. Botox works by blocking the signals from nerves that tell your sweat glands to produce sweat. After receiving Botox injections, you should start noticing less sweating within three to four days. The effects typically last up to six months, though this can vary from person to person and depends on which area is treated.
Why Trust Pinkal Medical Aesthetics?
How does Botox work for hyperhidrosis?
Botox works by blocking the chemical signals from nerves that stimulate sweat glands. When injected into areas of excessive sweating, it temporarily prevents the release of the chemical that activates sweat glands, reducing sweating in the treated area.
Why might I need botulinum toxin injections for my excessive sweating?
According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, people who receive Botox injections have found excessive sweating decreases by more than 85%. Side effects of the treatment can include pain, swelling and bruising at the injection site. Although Botox is widely used for many types of hyperhidrosis, at this time, it has been Canada Health-approved only for excessive underarm sweating. When used for other areas of the body, it is an off-label use.
What areas can be treated?
The most common areas that can be treated are the underarms (also called axillae). This is also the area that has been approved for treatment by Health Canada. Other areas where people commonly experience excessive sweating include the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Sometimes, the face can also be affected. While the underarms, palms, and feet tend to be the most bothersome areas, some people may experience excessive sweating in other parts of their body such as the scalp, chest, back, and groin. The good news is that Botox injections can be an effective treatment option to help reduce excessive sweating in these areas. Your Nurse Practitioner can discuss which treatment areas would be most appropriate for your specific situation.
Are there any side effects?
Common side effects may include: - Temporary pain or bruising at injection sites - Mild muscle weakness near the injection area - Compensatory sweating in other areas of the body
What are the results?
Most patients notice a significant reduction in sweating within 2-4 weeks after treatment. The effects typically last 6-12 months, after which the treatment can be repeated.
Hyperhidrosis treatment with Injectables — What to Expect
- Your appointment will likely last about 45 minutes but the injections will only take 20 to 30 minutes.
- Injections don’t take long and can be completed during an office visit. A nurse practitioner 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. Some clinics may give you slightly more.
- The nurse practitioner 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 will likely ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment to check in and touch up any missed spots.