BOTOX is one of the most versatile products in aesthetic medicine today. As a dermatologist, I’ve seen firsthand how my Houston patients have benefitted from it. Now, with the warmer months starting to creep up on us, I’d love to share one of its most innovative (and unexpected) uses: treating hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating.
Regardless of how it’s used, BOTOX works by blocking nerve signals. For aesthetic purposes, it’s especially adept at treating wrinkles that are caused by muscle movement. It’s also a regular fixture in the medical community, because it can reduce other issues resulting from excessive nerve activity, such as a twitching eyelid or an overactive bladder.
When it comes to excessive sweating, BOTOX interrupts nerve signals before they trigger the sweat glands, preventing them from producing sweat. When used for this purpose, BOTOX is administered through a brief series of injections. Results can take up to 4 weeks to fully develop, and you can enjoy dryness for about 6 months.
BOTOX doesn’t completely stop underarm perspiration. Instead, it takes the “excess” out of the equation, reducing your sweating to a more manageable level that can be controlled with regular antiperspirants. Additionally, because your body has millions of sweat glands from head to toe, “deactivating” some of the glands underneath your arms will not affect your body’s ability to cool itself.
Another option for problem sweating is miraDry®, a noninvasive treatment that uses microwave energy to permanently disable targeted sweat glands. Depending on the severity of your condition as well as your goals, this may be a better choice. Both BOTOX and miraDry work well on “social sweating” as well as sweating related to heat or exercise. Social sweating is typically stimulated by stress or anxiety. Unlike sweat brought on by a good workout, social sweat is often smellier and can be quite embarrassing.
We’ve recently added a miraDry device to our office, which means that these patients no longer need to make the drive to the Galleria for treatment. If excessive underarm sweating is a problem for you, we can help you decide on the best plan of action during your consultation.