Botox for Hyperhidrosis: Combating Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can have a significant negative effect on your daily life. Whether you’re having to carry a packet of tissues in your pocket to blot your hands, are forced to wear jackets even in the summer due to armpit stains on your shirts, or struggle with sweating from your face or head, the soles of your feet, or elsewhere on your body (like under your breasts), hyperhidrosis can make life miserable.

Since the 1980s, Botox has been used by doctors to treat facial spasms. During trials, researchers noted that areas of treatment were sweating less than untreated areas. This led to more research, and in 2004 Botox was approved by the FDA to treat severe underarm hyperhidrosis (primary axillary hyperhidrosis). 

Understanding Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is incredibly common, and while it’s nothing to be ashamed of, it can be very disruptive to your daily life. Excessive sweating affects around 15.3 million Americans, or around 1 in 20 people. Adults between the ages of 18–39 years old have the highest likelihood of having hyperhidrosis (8.8%), while older adults 65+ years old and children/adolescents have the lowest likelihood (2.1%).

There are two types of hyperhidrosis:

Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis

Focal hyperhidrosis is the most common type of hyperhidrosis. It’s caused by genetic change to your eccrine glands (sweat glands) and can be inherited from your biological family. 

Focal hyperhidrosis typically appears before the age of 25, and affects specific regions of the body, most commonly the armpits, palms, feet and/or face. Episodes of focal hyperhidrosis usually happen during waking time. 

Secondary Generalized Hyperhidrosis

Generalized hyperhidrosis is caused by medication or an underlying medical condition. It causes large areas of your body to sweat, and episodes can occur when you are sleeping. 

Conditions that may cause hyperhidrosis include diabetic neuropathy and Parkinson’s disease.

Some of the common medications that can cause secondary hyperhidrosis include naproxen (the active ingredient in Midol and Aleve) and diphenhydramine (a common decongestant used in Benadryl and Sudafed), along with prescription medications for several different conditions. If your hyperhidrosis is drug-induced, it will likely stop once you discontinue the medication. 

Effects of Hyperhidrosis on Young People

Excessive sweating can be a source of anxiety for young adults, who are often targeted because of their hyperhidrosis and made the butt of jokes. 

Stress or anxiety can make hyperhidrosis worse, causing people to sweat heavily when they have a job interview or need to give a presentation. The emotional and social impact can cause self-esteem issues, lifestyle limitations, and lots of embarrassment. 

This leads many to try various solutions, from prescription antiperspirants to Botox for hyperhidrosis. 

How Does Botox Work for Hyperhidrosis? 

Since 2004, Botox has been an FDA-approved treatment for hyperhidrosis. As a neuromodulator, Botox blocks the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Normally, acetylcholine acts as a chemical messenger that tells your sweat glands to produce extra sweat, so by blocking it, Botox stops excessive sweating in its tracks. 

The primary areas where Botox is administered for sweat reduction include:

• Underarms
• Palms of the hands
• The face (and/or cranium)
• The soles of the feet

The scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of Botox treatments for hyperhidrosis is substantial, as we’ll review below. 

Botox for Hyperhidrosis: Underarms

Botox for underarm hyperhidrosis, also known as axillary hyperhidrosis, is the most commonly requested. It has a very high success rate, and 98% of recipients in one study said they would recommend it to others.

Botox for Hyperhidrosis: Hands

Botox for hand hyperhidrosis, also known as palmar hyperhidrosis, also has a high success rate. Six separate studies showed almost immediate relief for excessive palm sweating with few or no side effects. 

Botox for Hyperhidrosis: Feet

Excessive foot sweat, or plantar hyperhidrosis, can lead to more than soaked socks and smelly shoes. It can also contribute to trench foot and even infections like athlete’s foot. Botox injections and absorbent socks might be the perfect two-prong treatment. 

Botox for Hyperhidrosis: Face

A study of patients who asked for Botox for forehead hyperhidrosis showed no serious side effects and a significant improvement both in sweat reduction and quality of life. The effects lasted for around eight months in this study! 

Botox for Hyperhidrosis: Groin 

Nothing is more embarrassing than a sweat stain near the groin. Fortunately, inguinal hyperhidrosis is just as common as facial hyperhidrosis, and the treatment is much the same. Botox injections are safe and effective for most sweat-prone areas of the body, including sensitive ones like the groin. 

Botox for Hyperhidrosis: Buttocks

Much like the groin, the buttocks are prone to collecting sweat, hence the term “swamp butt”. Botox injections to the anal fold can reduce hyperhidrosis considerably, with one study of eleven men yielding a sweat reduction of over 75%. 

The Treatment Process 

The treatment process starts with an initial consultation. Your provider will complete an assessment of sweat-prone areas and discuss your goals.

The procedure itself is quick. You have the option of numbing cream to make the injections almost unnoticeable. Then, your nurse or physician will carefully inject the required number of Botox units in many small amounts across the treatment area. 

The entire process only takes about 20-30 minutes depending on the total number of injections and the target areas. You should have only minimal discomfort and be able to immediately return to daily activities.

Results and Longevity

In most cases, you’ll notice a significant reduction of sweat in treated areas within just 1-2 weeks. These results typically last four to six months on average, although some people see treatment success last longer. 

Most people get new injections every four to six months to ensure they stay sweat free. Discuss your treatment schedule with your injector. After your first treatment, pay attention to how long your results last, and schedule a touch-up accordingly.

Benefits of Botox for Young Adults with Hyperhidrosis

No-one likes feeling sweaty all the time, especially in social or professional settings. Even when some sweat is expected, like when you’re hitting the gym, too much of it can still soak your clothes and make you uncomfortable. 

Sweating can also cause increased body odor, even if you’ve just showered. Botox treatments not only give you relief from sweating, but they also can reduce the need for heavy antiperspirants and sweat-resistant clothing.

Unlike surgical treatments that lead to painful, extended recovery, Botox for hyperhidrosis is a non-invasive, quick treatment with no significant downtime.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

After your treatment, you may experience some mild side effects, such as temporary redness, swelling, or minor tenderness at injection sites. You can use cold packs to reduce these side effects.

Rare side effects such as muscle weakness can and do occur with this treatment, especially with injections in the hands. This is why you need a certified professional who is experienced with providing medical Botox injections for hyperhidrosis. 

Botox hyperhidrosis injections done incorrectly on any part of the body can cause less than satisfactory results. A skilled injector will ensure the right amount of Botox is used and that it is injected at the proper depth.

Lifestyle Tips for Managing Hyperhidrosis 

Breathable clothing and clinical-grade antiperspirants can minimize underarm sweating. If you have hyperhidrosis and haven’t yet tried Botox as the solution, or if you start experiencing break-through sweating in between treatments, make sure to consider these. 

If your sweating gets worse with stress or after eating certain foods, consider adjusting your lifestyle to manage stress and diet triggers.

Once you have begun a regular Botox schedule for hyperhidrosis treatment, you can complement your injections with a proper skin care routine. Keeping your skin clean is key to improving skin health and the safety of your Botox injections.

Expert Cosmetic Botox at SEV

At select SEV locations, our nurse injectors deliver precise cosmetic Botox to soften wrinkles, refine the jawline, lift the lips, and more. All of our nurses have the expertise needed to deliver flattering, personalized results. 

Some of our providers also offer Botox for hyperhidrosis upon request. If you’d like to stop sweating the small stuff, call your nearest SEV location to see if our nurse injector can accommodate you.