Sweat is a mechanism our bodies use to regulate their temperature. It is normal, yet what happens when sweat is more than just an after workout glow? Do you sweat noticeably when you’re stressed or after minimal exercise?

Some people have a condition called hyperhidrosis, which is excessive sweating. This condition is uncomfortable, embarrassing and sometimes, not even prescription antiperspirants can help.

If this is the case, you may be interested in learning more about the best available treatment for excessive sweating: Botox. Yes, you read that right!

Botox is more than the best injectable to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Botox injections can treat excessive sweating in the armpits, face, scalp, the palm of your hands and even feet.

Read more about this medication alternative for excessive sweating!

Sweating excessively can really disrupt a person’s life, interfere with activities and even ruin clothes that quickly get soaked and stained with sweat. Prescription deodorants and nutrition changes can help to an extent, but many patients are interested in an effective, long term solution that will help them improve their quality of life too. Botox is the best treatment for that!

Botox is routinely injected to help hyperhidrosis patients decrease sweat in their underarms, hands, soles of their feet, scalp, groin area and face. While the substance is the same as the one used to smooth wrinkles, Botox used to treat excessive sweating will not alter your appearance or mobility on the treated areas.

How does Botox work to treat excessive sweating? 

The basic science behind Botox and all of its revolutionary uses are that it blocks or paralyzes the nerve where it’s injected. For excessive sweating, it works like this:

When you overheat, your body sends a signal to your sweat glands to cool down, which triggers you to sweat. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis have an overactive system in which the nerves that signal the sweat glands are constantly (and unnecessarily) working. When the doctor injects Botox into a problem area, the nerves that send sweat signals are paralyzed. When Botox blocks the nerves that would normally trigger your sweat glands, there is no ‘sweat signal’ which means no perspiration.

Using Botox to treat excessive sweating doesn’t mean that you will not sweat in other parts of your body, since you still need to sweat in order to regulate body temperature. Your surgeon controls the area where you receive Botox injections, so the treatment is targeted to help control trouble areas.

What can I expect from my treatment? 

Getting Botox to treat hyperhidrosis is relatively quick and painless. Your surgeon injects Botox with a very fine needle in the area you want to treat, i.e the armpits or the forehead.  If you are too sensitive, the surgeon can use a topical numbing cream to complete the treatment without discomfort. Once the Botox injections are done, you can go back to your normal life, minus the excessive sweat of course. You can expect the whole process to take 20 to 40 minutes. No anesthesia or downtime!

How long do Botox injections last to prevent excessive sweating?

There are 2 main things you need to know after receiving Botox injections for hyperhidrosis:

1. It takes 2 to 14 days to fully work. This depends on the number of units you receive and how your body reacts to Botox. If you are having Botox injections to treat your hyperhidrosis for the first time, you may be asked to return to the doctor’s office within a couple of weeks for a touch-up and to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. During this appointment, the surgeon can apply Botox to areas that are still giving you problems.
2. The effects of Botox are temporary. When treating the armpits, Botox benefits can last 6 to 12 months. When using Botox to treat excessive sweating in the face, scalp, hands or feet, the benefits may last 6 to 8 months.

How much do Botox injections for excessive sweating cost?

Here in Tijuana, Botox costs $9 USD per unit. The number of units you need will ultimately depend on the areas you want to treat. Talk to your surgeon about the areas to treat and how to maximize the benefits of the injections.

Stop living with excessive sweating and recover full freedom to go out, move and enjoy a sunny day outside without being self-conscious or afraid of staining your favorite clothes. Call VIDA Wellness and Beauty at (619) 738-2144 to schedule an appointment now!