Sweating/ Hyperhidrosis:

Sweat is produced normally by the body and it also helps in keeping cool and helps in waste removal. However, only people with excessive sweating know how awful it can be with constant sweating in the armpits, groins, and feet with no reason (anxiety, warm weather, etc.). It is an embarrassing situation, both in terms of their self-image with the constant urge to wipe off sweat with a handkerchief and wet underarms and palms and soaked clothes. Imagine when you are meeting someone, and the first thing you have to do is wipe your palm as it is full of sweat.

This condition of excessive sweating is known medically as hyperhidrosis. While it is normal for people to sweat in warm weathers and in anxious situations, if someone is sweating even in cold weathers and in very routine circumstances, they could be having hyperhidrosis.

How Can Botox help?

Botox is a neurotoxin extracted from a type of bacteria. Its medical benefits were accidentally discovered, when it was found that it can be used to disable cells and so can be useful in controlling and preventing ageing. Botox became the wonder drug, which was used in getting rid of wrinkles and fine lines. It helped restore youthful looks and slowly the medical usage scope kept expanding. Using the same logic of it incapacitating the nerve ending, it also found its use in controlling hyperhidrosis.

The procedure involved in treating sweat with botox:

  • What it does is that it will numb the nerve endings which supply these sweat glands, and therefore sweat production is minimized.
  • It is a topical treatment and so needs to be done with a particular area in mind. 
  • The armpits, palms, forehead, and groin are the most common areas that are treated. For instance, when treating the armpit, the entire armpit is marked out as a diamond-shaped area.
  • Topical anaesthesia would be used to reduce the impact of needle injections, given the thin nature of the skin here.
  • Marks are then made about 1 cm apart to cover the whole area, and about 100 units of Botox are injected in small amounts to cover the entire area of both armpits. A blow of cool air may also be used to reduce sensitivity during injections.
  • The procedure is done in about less than 30 minutes and you would be able to return to normal activity. The effect will take about a week to 10 days to take effect, and the satisfaction rate is quite high (95%).
  • It works very well for the armpits and the palms, the soles are not as responsive given the thick repeat sessions may be required after some months, depending on the severity of the condition.
  • Repeat sessions may be required after some months, depending on the severity of the condition.