BOTOX® for Severe Underarm Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Horton
Emily Sespaniak, MSN, FNP-C
Danielle Bautista, MSN, ANP
What is Hyperhidrosis?
How Does Botox Treat Hyperhidrosis?
How effective is Botox at controlling underarm sweating?
What to expect at your Botox for hyperhidrosis appointment
Preparing for Botox for hyperhidrosis
What to expect during treatment
Recovery After Botox Injections for hyperhidrosis
Frequently Asked Questions About Botox for hyperhidrosis
Is excessive sweating interfering with your quality of life? Do you find yourself having to plan your wardrobe around which colors and fabrics will hide sweat stains? You don’t have to live with excessive sweating!
At San Francisco Plastic Surgery, Board-Certified Nurse Practitioners Emily Sespaniak and Danielle Bautista treat excessive underarm sweating, also known as axillary hyperhidrosis, using Botox Cosmetic. This FDA-approved treatment is a quick, in-office procedure that provides an effective solution with results lasting 6-9 months on average.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. It is normal to sweat in very hot weather or when exercising, but people with hyperhidrosis sweat more than normal and experience sweating that interferes with day-to-day activities even when the temperature is comfortable and they aren’t exerting themselves. If you visibly sweat even when you’re not working out or if antiperspirants fail to control your underarm sweating, you may have hyperhidrosis.
There are two types of hyperhidrosis:
Primary focal hyperhidrosis usually starts when you are a teenager and causes excess sweating in localized spots, usually the armpits, hands, or feet.
Secondary hyperhidrosis refers to sweating that is a result of another medical condition, such as menopause or hyperthyroidism.
How Does Botox Treat Hyperhidrosis?
Botulinum toxin, the active ingredient in Botox, prevents sweating by blocking neurotransmitters—the chemicals in your body that tell it to start sweating.
How Effective is Botox at Controlling Underarm Sweating?
Botox is very effective at keeping sweat in check! Studies show that Botox injections in the armpits can reduce sweating by up to
Trusted Source
Can Botox Help You Sweat Less?
Cleveland Clinic
Go to Source
87%.
Botox works to stop sweating within 1-2 weeks of injection and results last up to 6-9 months.
What to Expect at Your Botox for Hyperhidrosis Appointment
Preparing for Botox for Hyperhidrosis
If you are determined to be a good candidate for treatment, very little preparation is needed. We do recommend you avoid shaving your underarms for 3 days prior to your appointment. If you are going to exercise the day of your treatment, please make sure you do it before your appointment since you will not be able to exercise for the rest of the day.
What to Expect During Treatment
Patients who are new to Botox for hyperhidrosis often worry if the injection will hurt, however it is a quick process with little discomfort. First we will apply a topical numbing product to minimize discomfort. Then, the Botox will be injected with a very small needle. In total the treatment itself takes about 10 minutes, and most patients find the treatment very tolerable.
Recovery After Botox Injections for Hyperhidrosis
The downtime from this procedure is minimal. We recommend you avoid exercise and other activities that promote sweating (such as saunas or steam rooms) for 24 hours following your treatment. Do not apply deodorant or antiperspirant for the remainder of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Botox for Hyperhidrosis
Botox is FDA-approved to treat underarm sweating and there is very little risk of side effects or complications. The most common side effects are minor bruising and temporary redness or tenderness at the injection site.
Botox is measured in units and most patients need 50 units per underarm for a total of 100 units. Everyone’s body processes Botox differently, but patients typically return every 6-9 months on average to maintain their results. If you are planning for an important event or big vacation and you want to wear what you want with no worries of sweating, we recommend coming in 2 weeks prior to these plans to allow enough time for the Botox to activate.
Please contact our office to receive current pricing for this treatment.
Contact Us
If excessive underarm sweating is a problem for you, schedule a consultation today!
