Imagine this scenario: It’s the middle of a workday and you’re in a conference room full of people. It’s a comfortable temperature and you’re sitting calmly, pen in hand, taking notes. Suddenly your palms become damp and clammy and sweat starts pouring down your face. Perspiration is pooling in your socks and your hands are so slick that you can barely hold onto your pen. Your armpits become visibly damp, even though you’re wearing antiperspirant. If you’re one of the estimated 7.8 million Americans, or 2 to 5% of the population, who suffer from excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, you don’t need to imagine this scenario. It’s an exceedingly uncomfortable reality.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is caused by overactive sweat glands, which result in excessive sweating, even when you are not exerting yourself. There are two types of hyperhidrosis:
- Primary focal hyperhidrosis occurs in otherwise healthy people and is not a side effect of medication or a sign of a more serious health problem. This extreme perspiration occurs most often on the hands, face, and armpits.
- Secondary hyperhidrosis causes sweating all over the body and is usually caused by an underlying health condition, such as diabetes, menopause, or certain types of cancer.
In addition to causing embarrassment and reduced quality of life, hyperhidrosis can result in health problems such as peeling skin and infections. If you suffer from this condition, you know it can be difficult to control your symptoms, which can cause severe emotional distress.
There are several treatments for this condition, including prescription antiperspirants, creams, and oral medications. If those treatments have been unsuccessful for you or caused intolerable side effects, Botox injections are another option.
Botox injections to treat hyperhidrosis
Botox is not a new treatment for excessive sweating. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for this use in 2004. Botulinum is a neurotoxin that works by blocking the nerve signals that tell the sweat glands to activate, inhibiting them from overproducing perspiration. It is only FDA-approved to treat excessive sweating in the underarm area, but it can also be used “off label,” (which means that scientific evidence suggests it is safe and effective for this use and the practice is supported by expert consensus, but it doesn’t have FDA approval for this purpose) in hands, feet, and the face.
Does it work?
The good news is that if you suffer from excessive sweating, you are likely to get relief from Botox injections. Studies show that they can result in an 82-87% decrease in underarm sweating. Most people notice some relief in as little as two to four days and the full effects in about two weeks. Sweating is reduced for 4 to 12 months, with some studies showing effects lasting up to 14 months. Over time, you will be able to go longer between treatments.
Do Botox injections hurt?
Botox is injected just below the surface of the skin. The injections are administered very quickly in a grid pattern around your problem area and usually feel like a little pinch. Some medical practitioners also provide a topical numbing agent beforehand. You can return to work or life as soon as your treatment is complete!
Alazzo Med Spa – Experts in Botox and other injectables
At Alazzo Med Spa, our health practitioners have extensive experience in all FDA-approved injectable treatments for aesthetic aging concerns and other conditions such as hyperhidrosis. Want to learn more? As always, we are available to discuss any questions you may have! We look forward to speaking with you.