Treating excessive sweating with Botox®
Published on: September 8, 2020
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) can be an embarrassing condition that many of us can suffer at some time in our lives. It usually begins during puberty, due to hormonal changes and usually subsides as we reach adulthood. However for some, hyperhidrosis can be an ongoing nuisance which causes embarrassment on a daily basis, and can mean the inconvenience of having to change clothing more regularly than most, as well as restricting the type of clothing they wear.
Excess sweating is not just limited to the underarms. It can appear on the face, back and the hands and can affect personal relationships and work-related activities such as shaking hands, as well as social situations.
At The London Cosmetic Clinic in Harley Street, we understand that hyperhidrosis can have a significant effect on a patient’s everyday life and we offer a quick, safe and highly-effective treatment for the temporary treatment of this condition.
Botox® is a treatment that is more commonly associated with the temporary reduction of lines and wrinkles. However, Botox® (a brand name for the substance Botulinum Toxin Type A) has been used in medicine for many years in a number of capacities and is a highly- effective treatment for localised hyperhidrosis.
A treatment with Botox® for excess sweating can give relief to sufferers for months at a time, when other measures such as antiperspirants, iontophoresis and prescribed medications have been unsuccessful.
How does Botox® work for hyperhidrosis?
Botulinum toxin is a preparation of protein which, when expertly injected in small doses in to areas of localised excess sweating, blocks the nerves that supply the eccrine glands, preventing the glands from producing sweat.
The results continue until the messenger nerves are restored, naturally. In some cases this can take between 6 and 8 months. However, for most patients, a twice-yearly visit to the clinic for Botox® for hyperhidrosis is a realistic expectation.
Am I suitable for Botox® for hyperhidrosis?
Prior to any treatment here at The London Cosmetic Clinic, we will ask you to attend a pre-treatment consultation. This meeting is as much for your practitioner as it is for you, to discuss the procedure and expectation for results as well as assess your medical history in order to ensure that you are suitable for the treatment.
What happens during a Botox® excess sweating treatment?
Depending on the area/s of the body to be treated, a topical anaesthetic may be applied, prior to the procedure. This ensures that you are comfortable throughout the treatment. After the anaesthetic cream has taken effect, a skin ‘dye’ will be applied to the area.
This shows the areas where the sweat glands are more active and where the treatment injections will be most effective. Your practitioner will then administer the Botox® in tiny doses using a very fine needle. This takes between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on whether multiple areas are to be treated. After a Botox® hyperhidrosis treatment, you can return to your daily activities immediately as there is no clinical downtime. Therefore, this makes a very convenient ‘lunchtime’ procedure.
The longevity of your results can vary, depending on your individual response to the treatment and your lifestyle. Some patients find that a Botox® treatment for hyperhidrosis can last many months, others may find that they need to return to the clinic every 3 to 4 months. This being said, a Botox® treatment for hyperhidrosis is extremely effective and will negate the need for any other medication or treatment, during its time of efficacy.
Botox® for hyperhidrosis can be a lifechanging treatment for many people who suffer daily from excess sweating and the embarrassment it can cause. For an initial consultation and more information on this treatment, contact our reception team to book an appointment.
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