Botox for Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

Are you suffering from excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis? If you are, you are not alone. Nearly 16 million Americans are affected by this medical condition, which becomes a daily struggle. Unlike typical sweating from your body cooling you down, hyperhidrosis causes too much sweat even in cool conditions. At Cynthia Salter-Lewis, M.D., in Marlboro, NJ, we proudly offer Botox to temporarily stop excessive sweating, allowing you to lead your life confidently and with control.

Introduction to Hyperhidrosis and Its Impact

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which sweat glands become overactive, resulting in excessive sweating that is not associated with exercise, temperature, or stress. Commonly affected areas include the underarms, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and face. If your sweating does not improve with prescription antiperspirants, you might have hyperhidrosis. For those who suffer from this condition, managing symptoms can be challenging, embarrassing, and uncomfortable.

What Is Botox and How Does it Work?

Botox, or botulinum toxin type A, is a neurotoxin that works by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking nerves. While it is best used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, it is also a fantastic option for certain medical conditions, such as hyperhidrosis. Botox is extremely effective in temporarily stopping excessive sweating by blocking, or “turning off,” the nerve signals that instruct the sweat glands to become active. This results in a normal, or less than normal, sweat production from that area.

Botox for Underarm Sweating (Axillary Hyperhidrosis)

Underarm sweating, or axillary hyperhidrosis, is a common area for excessive sweating. Excessive sweating in the underarm area can cause wet stains on clothing, discomfort, and embarrassment. Botox injections can reduce sweating in this area by 82-87%!

Procedure Details:

• It is recommended to avoid shaving your armpits for 2 to 3 days before you receive your injections.
• Expect your treatment to last approximately 45 minutes, with the actual injections taking 20 to 30 minutes.
• Your provider will mark the area with ink and inject the Botox directly under the skin.
• Underarms typically require 15 to 25 injections around the area of concern.

Results:

• Expect noticeable results within 2 to 4 days after treatment and full effects after 2 weeks.
• Dryness will typically last between 4 to 14 months.
• Maintenance treatments are safe and effective to manage symptoms.

Botox for Palm Sweating (Palmar Hyperhidrosis)

Botox is 80-90% effective for excessive sweating in the palms, known as palmar hyperhidrosis. Simple everyday activities such as shaking hands, holding a pen, or using a smartphone can be uncomfortable and awkward.

Procedure Details:

• Due to the sensitive nature of the palms, a numbing cream is typically applied one hour before the treatment.
• Generally, 20 to 30 injections in each palm are needed and injected just below the skin’s surface.
• Expect this treatment to last for about 15 minutes.

Results:

• Expect noticeable results in 2 to 4 days and full effects in 1 to 2 weeks.
• Dryness will last for approximately 4 to 6 months.
• Maintenance treatments are recommended every 6 months.

Botox for Foot Sweating (Plantar Hyperhidrosis)

Botox for excessive sweating on the soles of the feet, known as plantar hyperhidrosis, is 50% effective. While injections in the soles of the feet are less effective than in other areas, any reduction in sweating to prevent wet socks and shoes is helpful. In addition to dramatically reducing sweat production, Botox injections in the feet can relieve foot pain.

Procedure Details:

• Injections in the soles of the feet can be painful, so speak with your provider about pain-relieving techniques.
• Generally, 40 to 60 injections will be needed in each foot.
• Expect this treatment to last 30 to 45 minutes.

Results:

• Expect noticeable results in 2 to 4 days and full effects in 2 weeks.
• Dryness will last for approximately 3 to 4 months.
• Maintenance treatments are recommended every 4 to 6 months.

Botox for Facial Sweating (Craniofacial Hyperhidrosis)

It is estimated that 3% of the United States population has craniofacial hyperhidrosis or excessive facial sweating. The face’s most affected areas include the forehead and scalp. Less commonly involved areas include the upper lip, cheeks, nose, and chin.

Procedure Details:

• It may be difficult to pinpoint where the sweat originates, as it can quickly spread over the scalp and face. Try to determine the origin, and if, after the treatment, you experience sweating in another area, that can be treated at a future appointment.
• Depending on the specific part of the face or scalp being treated, 20 to 60 injections will be needed.
• Expect this treatment to last for 45 minutes.

Results:

• Expect noticeable results in 2 to 4 days and full effects in 2 weeks.
• Dryness will typically last 5 to 6 months.
• Maintenance treatments are recommended every 6 months.

Benefits of Choosing Botox for Hyperhidrosis

1. Non-Surgical Solution: Botox injections are minimally invasive and require no incisions or stitches. If you are looking to avoid surgery but achieve the dryness you deserve, Botox is an appealing choice.
2. Improved Confidence: Not only will you avoid the wet and uncomfortable clothes associated with hyperhidrosis, but you might find that you smell better too! Bacteria thrive in warm and moist areas, so when those are removed, so is the smell. You can now attend business meetings or social events without the worry of visible sweating.
3. Quick and Convenient: Botox injections do not require downtime, so you can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. Generally, most procedures are completed within 45 minutes, so you can fit your treatment into your lunch break and return to your daily routine without downtime or much discomfort.
4. Effective Results: Botox has been used for over 20 years and is approved for use in 20 countries for hyperhidrosis. You won’t see those statistics unless the treatment works! For most areas of the body, Botox has been proven to significantly reduce sweat production. A 2023 study found that 22% of subjects continued to have benefits from Botox injections for 1 year after treatment.
5. Customizable: Botox injections are entirely customizable depending on the area being treated, the number of Botox units required, and any other unique needs each patient brings.

Post-Treatment Care

After your Botox injections, it is best to care for the treated area carefully to minimize side effects. Consider the following tips and double-check with your provider on how to best care for the treatment area.

• Avoid strenuous exercise and physical activity for at least 24 hours.
• Avoid hot baths, showers, and saunas for 24 to 48 hours.
• Avoid touching the treated area to prevent the Botox from spreading.
• Avoid deodorant and products with perfume for 12 to 24 hours to avoid irritation.
• Take a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 24 hours, such as ibuprofen (Advil), as NSAIDs thin the blood and can increase bleeding and bruising at the injection site.
• Apply ice to the treated area.
• Drink plenty of water.

Is Botox for Hyperhidrosis Safe?

Botox has been safely used to treat hyperhidrosis and has been FDA-approved for 20 years to treat axillary hyperhidrosis. In general, Botox has been used to treat millions of patients with various conditions and is widely viewed as safe.

While sweating is necessary for our body to regulate its temperature, the underarms, palms, soles of the feet, and face house a tiny part of the body’s sweat glands. For instance, the underarms contain less than 2% of the body’s sweat glands. By blocking sweat gland production in these areas, your body is not hindered from sweating to cool itself down.

Potential Side Effects

Side effects after receiving Botox for hyperhidrosis are typically minor and disappear in a few days. These include:

• Pain or bruising at the injection site
• Irritation
• Bleeding
• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms
• Paralysis in the facial muscles (for facial injections)
• Droopy eyelid (for facial injections)
• Eye dryness or tearing (for facial injections)

What Causes Botox to Wear Off?

How long Botox injections will work for your specific area of hyperhidrosis is unique for each individual. The speed at which Botox wears off depends on:

• Metabolism: The higher your metabolism, the faster the Botox will wear off.
• Physical Activity Level: The metabolic rate of someone who is very physically active is higher than the rate of someone who has a sedentary lifestyle. Generally, active bodies metabolize Botox quicker from the body.
• Muscular Features: Thicker muscles are more challenging to activate with Botox, so more injections will be required. The more muscle in an area, the faster the Botox effects will last.
• Number of Botox Units Used: Botox treatments for hyperhidrosis are completely customizable to each body type and the severity of sweating. Smaller amounts of doses will wear off faster than higher doses.
• Frequency of Treatments: Repetition is a good thing when it comes to treating hyperhidrosis with Botox. Having regular maintenance appointments to treat your condition will allow the effects to last longer.

The Ideal Candidate

If you suffer from excessive sweating that affects your daily life or quality of life, and medications and antiperspirants don’t work for you, you are likely the ideal candidate for Botox injections. Other fields to determine candidacy include being:

• Over 18 years old
• In good overall health
• Not pregnant or breastfeeding
• Not allergic to Botox or other ingredients in the injection
• Willing to get injections a couple of times a year to maintain results

How Much Does This Treatment Cost?

Treatment prices vary depending on the area of the country, the location where the Botox is administered, the provider’s level of experience, and the number of units of Botox required. Contact us at Cynthia Salter-Lewis, M.D., and we would be happy to meet with you for a consultation to determine your best treatment plan.

Why Choose Dr. Cynthia Salter-Lewis for Botox Treatment?

Dr. Cynthia Salter-Lewis is an experienced physician who specializes in anti-aging and cosmetic medicine. She is a national speaker and educator in anti-aging and cosmetic medicine and has trained many physicians nationwide in cosmetic procedures. In 2018, she was named America’s Top Physician for Cosmetic Medicine by the Consumers’ Research Council of America, which helps guide consumers to find quality professional services. In short, Dr. Salter-Lewis can help you achieve your skincare goals without plastic surgery.

Reclaim Comfort and Confidence With Botox for Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a serious medical condition that is difficult to live with. Whether you are embarrassed to shake someone’s hand with sweaty palms or continuously damage clothing from underarm sweating – there is a solution for you. Botox for hyperhidrosis is not only safe and effective, but it can be incorporated into your busy schedule without the need for downtime. Contact Dr. Cynthia Salter-Lewis today to book a consultation and see if Botox is the right choice for you.