Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, is a problem that could interrupt an individual’s life. It stains clothes, makes hands always wet, and worsens everyday activities. You are even not able to shake your friend’s hand. Fortunately, nowadays, there are various treatments for this problem. One of the most effective and fastest techniques to control the situation is Botox injection. This is a safe, reliable, and nonsurgical method with fast results in the first week. This case is not the only application of Botox in medicine. Botox for migraine treatment is also another usage.
We prepared you with a huge amount of information like the risks of Botox in other blogs. If excessive sweating is bothering you, this guide is yours. In this comprehensive guide prepared by Amada research team, we detail all of the aspects of excessive sweating, causes, Botox mechanism, benefits, side effects, and applicable recommendations. If you are looking for a proper Botox Marietta solution, stay with us to the end of this article.
What is excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)?
Sweating is a natural, necessary phenomenon for adjusting the body temperature. However, when the sweating glands activate in a normal situation with no increase in temperature, this is called hyperhidrosis. This problem may be local or general. Here, we explain the types of hyperhidrosis with their reasons.
Primary Hyperhidrosis
In this type of excessive sweating, the sweating glands are hyperactive with no clear reason or disease. However, research shows that about 30–50% of people with this problem have a family history. It means that one or more individuals in the family have hyperhidrosis. In addition, excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system could be another reason. This system is responsible for the fight-or-flight reaction. In the affected people, the system sends the message of sweating even in a normal situation. This type of excessive sweating is limited to special body areas like the armpit, hand palm, sole, and forehead. It usually starts in adolescence and could continue for years if it is not treated.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis
This type usually is caused by another disease. The main reason is hormone problems such as high or low activity of the thyroid. Also, hormone changes in the pregnancy or menopause period are another reason. Obesity could increase the body temperature, inducing the sweating glands. Many antidepressant drugs, blood sugar–reducing drugs, or hormone medicines may increase sweating. Diabetes by blood sugar drop or insulin fluctuations intensifies sweating in some patients. Stress increases the nervous activity, inducing the body to sweat. In some cases, viral or bacterial infections are associated with fever and sweating.
Why does excessive sweating make problems?
Hyperhidrosis is not only a problem for appearance, it also affects the quality of life. This disease could result in social shame. Many people with excessive sweating prefer to avoid shaking hands. Maybe your friends are justified, but just imagine you are in a business meeting with important persons. How does it look when you avoid shaking hands?
In contrast to normal people, one with hyperhidrosis is not able to wear every clothing. Dark, tight, or special fabrics like silk show sweating spots clearer. Another consequence is interrupting everyday activities. Sinking a paper at work, slipping devices and tools in hand, difficulty in using occupational equipment, being forced to wear gloves, inducing a bad feeling when one uses shared things are among other issues.
On the other hand, skin problems like acne, inflammation, eczema, and fungus growth in wet areas follow excessive sweating. In addition, unpleasant smell is so bothering. Actually, the sweat does not stink. However, mixing with bacteria, it produces a sharp smell. This is why many people try Botox for excessive sweating.
How does Botox help treat excessive sweating?
Botulinum toxin, known as Botox, is a protein substance. It blocks temporarily the paths for transferring neurotransmitters from the nervous system to sweating glands. Simply, Botox blocks the message of sweat. The mechanism of Botox for hyperhidrosis is as follows. When Botox is injected into the area of interest, the nerves related to the sweating glands are temporarily inactivated. So, sweating glands are unable to receive messages. Subsequently, sweating decreases in that area.
Now, we explain the main efficient features of Botox for excessive sweating. The results usually emerge after 3 to 7 days. The full effect appears after two weeks. Depending on the individual properties, outcomes last normally for 4 to 9 months. This process does not harm any other functionalities of the body. Botox only targets the area of injection.
Who is a good candidate for Botox treatment?
Botox injection is a safe and reliable technique for most people. However, some individuals respond better than others. Also, this method is more useful for those who are not treated by other solutions. For example, if strong anti-sweating compounds, rolls, or antiperspirant sprays are not effective, Botox is a sensible medical action. Sometimes, sweating interrupts everyday routine. Clothes stains, wet palms at work, feet slipping in the shoes, and increased social anxiety are other consequences of the problem.
Some people look for a nonsurgical, fast technique with minimum side effects. Botox for excessive sweating needs no rest, dressing, or recovery period. It should be noted that there are not sufficient studies about the effects of Botox for hyperhidrosis in pregnant or nursing women. Therefore, the treatment is not recommended for these groups. In addition, in cases of special neuromuscular diseases like myasthenia gravis, the doctor must examine the patient. In general, if one has good general health, they always could take advantage of the technique.
Benefits and possible side effects of Botox
Here, we explain the benefits and possible side effects of Botox for excessive sweating treatment. By this, you could decide considering all of the requirements.
High efficiency
Botox is one of the first-line treatments for hyperhidrosis. There are a bunch of reasons. More than 80 to 90% of patients treated by Botox report significant decrease in their sweating condition. Even those who have not received proper results with a variety of antiperspirants usually are satisfied after Botox injection. Also, the treated area is controlled accurately.
Fast result
The first signs of effects start 3 to 5 days after treatment. The maximum efficiency emerges after 10 to 14 days. Many patients say that it is like the sweating switch is turned off because the suppression procedure is so fast as if it is sudden.
No need for surgery and rest
The technique of using Botox for excessive sweating needs no cut, dressing, or intricate aftercare. You can do your everyday activities immediately after the injection. The treatment session is so short, lasting 10 to 20 minutes.
Applicable for a variety of body areas
Botox only targets the area where the problem is located. Botox for hyperhidrosis has the highest efficiency in armpits. For palms, higher accuracy is needed; of course, the results are extraordinary. This technique is also useful for soles; however, it needs stronger anesthesia. In addition, it decreases nervous sweating in the face and forehead.
Removing the unpleasant smell
Bacteria responsible for producing stinky smells essentially grow in wet places. Reducing the activity of sweating glands prevents their growth. Therefore, the unpleasant smell is roughly removed. This is crucial, especially for those who have important and critical social relationships.
Improved life quality and self-confidence
Many people report they are not worried about raising their hands in the crowd anymore. Also, they are now self-confident in shaking hands, presenting, or using various tools. They wear clothes in different colors. Treatment by Botox for excessive sweating decreases their social anxiety.
Proper for sensitive skins
Some people have sensitive skin. They suffer from severe reactions of their skins to strong anti-perspirants by inflammations. These cases usually have no problem with Botox.
Now, we enumerate the possible side effects caused by Botox for hyperhidrosis.
Slight, common side effects
These cases are normal and removed after several hours to two days. Redness is caused by needle injection. It is suppressed so fast. On the injection site, a slight swelling like a small bump is formed temporarily. For a while, you may feel muscular pain as a sensitivity to touch. Bruises are less possible. It is seen mostly in those with light skin or people who use aspirin.
Rare side effects
Feeling slight weakness in palm muscles is a side effect, although it is rare. If the injection is so close to the muscle, it may reduce the power of grabbing for several days. Headache in the forehead lasts for a short time, removed after 24 hours. In some cases, allergic reactions to Botox for excessive sweating have been seen. Improper Botox spreading to adjacent areas is a side effect that is resolved by choosing a professional doctor.
Which areas can be treated with Botox?
All of the body skin is capable of sweating. However, among different parts of the body, some parts are involved into excessive sweating. Now, we introduce the parts that Botox can be used as a treatment.
Axillary Hyperhidrosis
Axillary hyperhidrosis located in the armpit could be treated in the best way by Botox. The problem shows the best treatment response to Botox. It is injected in the armpit so easily. The pain is so low. Also, the highest durability up to 9 months is achieved for Botox for hyperhidrosis. The solution reduces the body’s unpleasant smell significantly.
Palmar Hyperhidrosis
The effect of Botox for excessive sweating on the sole is like the palm. It is more painful than the palm; therefore, it is injected with anesthesia. This treatment is proper for those whose feet are wet by sweat.
Forehead and face
Some people sweat under stress. Botox for hyperhidrosis is useful for those whose face gets wet or whose makeup is removed. It is notable that this injection needs high skill to prevent eyebrow drooping.
This technique is applicable for other areas like thighs, beneath the breast, and waist.
How long do results last?
Depending on the body condition, individual activity level, and the type of sweating gland, the durability of Botox for excessive sweating is different. However, typically, it lasts for 4 to 6 months for most people. In the armpit, Botox lasts for 6 to 9 months. Due to denser nervous paths, the durability for palm and sole is about 3 to 5 months. If you repeat the treatment regularly, effects last longer.
Aftercare tips for Botox
To achieve better results and to prevent allergy, meeting the following criteria is crucial.
Avoiding massage or applying pressure
Taking massage could move the Botox to adjacent areas. It causes weakening muscles, changing the eyebrow form, and lack of uniformity in the results.
Avoiding heavy physical activities
Exercise increases the blood circulation and moves Botox. It is recommended to avoid exercise, sauna, jacuzzi, and taking hot baths for 24 hours, at least.
Do not use deodorant
After Botox for excessive sweating, the skin is inflamed. Deodorant or other inducing sprays could burn the skin and turn it red.
Cold compress
If you feel burning or have bruises, put an ice bag on the treated area for 15 minutes. Note that you should not press the compress. Also, avoid massaging the area.
Avoiding alcohol
Alcohol widens the veins, increasing the bruises. To prevent the adverse effects of this material, it is recommended to avoid alcoholic drinks for 24 hours, at least.
Reassessment
After 7 to 14 days, the Botox for hyperhidrosis is completely fixed. If a site remains untreated, or an area still sweats excessively, the doctor could correct it roughly. Therefore, reassessment helps the doctor check the results.
Comparison Table: Botox vs. Other Hyperhidrosis Treatments
| Treatment | How It Works | Longevity of Results | Best Areas | Advantages | Disadvantages | Ideal Candidate |
| Botox (Botulinum Toxin Injections) | Blocks nerve signals to sweat glands, reducing sweat production | 4–9 months depending on the area | Underarms, palms, soles, forehead | Fast results, non-surgical, highly effective, minimal downtime | Temporary results, may require numbing for palms/soles, cost over time | People with moderate to severe focal hyperhidrosis who need reliable results |
| Prescription Antiperspirants (Aluminum Chloride) | Blocks sweat ducts on the skin surface | Daily to weekly (short-term) | Underarms, hands, feet | Easy-to-use, inexpensive, non-invasive | Can irritate skin, less effective for severe cases | Mild hyperhidrosis or first-line treatment |
| Oral Medications (Anticholinergics) | Decreases overall gland activity systemically | Hours to a day | Generalized sweating | Works for whole-body sweating, useful when other options fail | Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, systemic side effects | Patients with generalized hyperhidrosis who tolerate medications well |
| Iontophoresis | Uses low-level electrical currents to temporarily disable sweat glands | Several days to weeks; requires repeated sessions | Hands and feet | Effective for palms/soles, can be done at home | Time-consuming, requires frequent maintenance, not ideal for underarms | People with palmar/plantar hyperhidrosis |
| MiraDry (Microwave Energy Device) | Permanently destroys sweat and odor glands | Permanent | Underarms only | Long-lasting/permanent, reduces odor as well | Expensive, risk of swelling/numbness, only for underarms | Those seeking a permanent solution for underarm sweating |
| Laser Sweat Ablation | Laser energy destroys sweat glands through small incisions | Long-term to permanent | Underarms | Long-lasting, minimally invasive | Requires downtime, swelling/bruising, not suitable for palms/soles | Patients wanting longer-term results without ongoing injections |
| Surgery (ETS – Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy) | Cuts or clamps the sympathetic nerve to stop sweating signals | Permanent | Palms, sometimes underarms | Highly effective for palms | Risk of compensatory sweating (very common), invasive, irreversible | Severe palmar hyperhidrosis not responding to other treatments |
Drying the sweating part of the body by Botox
Botox for excessive sweating is one of the most efficient, fastest, and safest techniques. This method is applicable for those who suffer from feeling wet in the palm, armpit, feet, or face. If you have problems with excessive sweating, contact us to receive the best services in Amada. Applying Botox for hyperhidrosis by a team of professional doctors and technicians helps you experience the convenience of dry skin.
