Sweating is the body's natural temperature-control mechanism. However, some of us have a tendency to sweat excessively. This is recognized as hyperhidrosis, and it’s a frequent condition that affects the cheeks, underarms, palms, soles of feet, and groin. While normally used for wrinkles and fine lines, Botox can also be used for treating excessive underarm sweating. But different treatment types require different units of Botox.
So how many units of Botox would you need for hyperhidrosis versus those for wrinkles and age lines? Botox used for facial wrinkles typically uses 10 to 20 units of Botox injection on average depending on the location of the targeted area, the facial muscle, and the level of muscle movement the patient wants to limit. Meanwhile, Botox treatments for underarm sweating will require on average 50 units of Botox injections.
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The forehead, crow's feet, and frown lines are the most commonly treated locations with Botox. Botox will always be measured in units, regardless of where you purchase it. Allergan manufactures FDA-approved Botox (botulinum toxin) and has established standards for cosmetic experts. The following units should be given, according to Allergan's instructions:
Each underarm receives 50 units of Botox for best effects. Individual outcomes may vary, but at this dose, results often last 6 months or longer. Using fewer than 50 units for each underarm will usually only provide relief for a few months.
When the body temperature rises, the neurological system activates the sweat glands to help the body cool down. The nerves that stimulate the sweat glands are hyperactive in hyperhidrosis patients. Botox works locally by temporarily stopping the secretion of the chemical that activates sweat glands, thereby turning them "off" and reducing sweating in the affected area.
Sweat glands are necessary for the body to cool down and regulate its temperature. The body has about 2 million sweat glands, yet just 2% of them are situated in the underarms. The body maintains the ability to cool itself through the other sweat glands that are not addressed by removing or temporarily stopping the underarm sweat glands from functioning.
Botox treatment is said to reduce overall perspiration by 82 to 87%. While sweating is an important physiological function for temperature regulation, only a small percentage of the body's sweat glands are concentrated in certain body locations (the underarms, for example, have less than 2% of the body's sweat glands).
As a result, the short halt in the action of these sweat glands has no bearing on body temperature regulation. Compensatory sweating (sweating on other parts of the body, which is frequent following ETS surgery) wasn’t found to be a problem.
Patients who are unresponsive to topical antiperspirants enjoy a 75% reduction in perspiration when injected with botulinum toxin and experienced a 75% reduction in sweating when injected with botulinum toxin. The majority of Botox treatment patients are happy with their results. Patient satisfaction in the previously stated study ranged from 66% to 100%.
The results begin to show up 2 to 4 days after treatment, with the maximum effects usually appearing around 2 weeks. Dryness lasts 4 to 12 months on average, but other studies show it can last up to 14 months.
Additional statistics from published research studies suggest that recurrent Botox therapy for hyperhidrosis is safe and effective, and consistently results in long-term improvements in the symptoms, daily functioning, and quality of life of patients with excessive sweating. Botox for hyperhidrosis has also been shown to boost productivity at work.
It's recommended that you follow up with your healthcare practitioner in 1 to 2 weeks after receiving Botox injections for any targeted location. This follow-up appointment is important because it allows your doctor to touch up any sweating spots that were missed during the initial round of injections and ensure that you are getting the full benefit of the treatment.
Despite the fact that Botox is approved by the FDA, it can still cause mild to severe negative effects. Botox is only injected in the underarms, but it can have negative effects throughout the body.
Botox for axillary hyperhidrosis may have the following negative effects:
Botox for hyperhidrosis has a few adverse effects, including minor discomfort, redness, and bruising that go away in a day or two. Intensive or intense activity should be avoided for 6 hours following the injections in the underarms. After one day, the majority of patients go back to work.
Botox has been shown to be 80 to 90% effective in the treatment of palmar (hand) excessive sweating. After 6 months, further injections are required. Botox injections for palmar sweating can result in transient hand pain and numbness.
Botox injections are effective on the head and face, but the injection technique necessitates skill, so patients should seek out a skilled practitioner. Asymmetry, particularly of the forehead, is a possible adverse effect of Botox injections in the face as a sweating cure. If Botox gets into the facial muscles, this can happen. However, such asymmetry is only transitory and can be corrected with more Botox injections if necessary.
Plantar hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the feet) can be treated with Botox, but patients report more pain during plantar injections, and statistics show that the treatment is less effective than when used for other body sites; indeed, some data suggests that 50% of patients are unhappy with the results.
You must be at least 18 years old to have Botox injections for hyperhidrosis. Botox should only be used as a last resort for severe cases of axillary hyperhidrosis that are unresponsive to topical treatments. Before giving you the go-light for underarm Botox, your doctor should go through your medical history and previous treatment attempts.
It's advisable to start with less invasive choices like sweat-proof clothing or antiperspirant prescriptions. Botox for hyperhidrosis shouldn’t be used by those who have certain medical conditions or who are taking certain drugs.
A Botox injection was once seen as a cosmetic treatment close to getting plastic surgery or a dermal filler. Today, people are getting Botox to prevent even the smallest wrinkle, and even for chronic migraine, muscle spasms, and much more.
At Aesthetica, we specialize in all kinds of Botox treatments, including Botulinum toxin type A for underarm sweating. Get safe and long-lasting Botox treatments with Aesthetica and ensure that all dynamic wrinkles, severe frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and of course, excessive sweating is taken care of. Get in touch with us today.
Aesthetica can assist you with all your beauty needs, helping you achieve your maximum beauty and aesthetic potential. Call or contact us today to learn more about our cosmetic services.
