Treat excess sweating with Botox©
Botulinum Toxin (Botox©) Injections can be used to treat hyperhydrosis (excess sweat production).
What is Botox©?
Botox© is a neurotoxin. It is produced by a bacterium called clostridium botulinum that is purified into a serotype for cosmetic use.
Doctors have used botulinum toxin type A in medical practice for over 15 years for treatment of muscle spasticity and facial spasms as well as for cosmetic use and to treat the problem of excess sweating (hyperhydrosis).
How does Botox© reduce sweating?
Nerves use a chemical messenger acetylcholine to stimulate glands such as those responsible for sweating. Treatment involves Botox© being injected into the sweat glands, which then moves into the nerve to block the release of acetylcholine, therefore reducing sweat production.
What happens in a hyperhydrosis consultation?
The initial consultation with the doctor will take around 15-20 minutes, in which the doctor will take your full medical information and explain how the process will treat excess sweating. Information about the treatment will be given, and you will be given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the process.
We can talk to you about all the treatments available, and which treatments might suit you.
The doctor will administer about 15-20 injections at 1cm intervals into the underarm area. Botox© injections are slightly uncomfortable but brief. Afterwards you will find tiny red marks on the skin at the injection sites, which will fade within a short time.
Patients will find a noticeable effect over the next 2-3 days, with a maximum effect at 7-10 days after the injection of Botulinum Toxin may last up to 6 months.
At follow-up consultations the doctor may need to ascertain whether the glands are still active. This can be done by painting the patient's skin with brown iodine and then covering with corn flour, this highlights active glands, which the doctor can then inject. The brown iodine colour on the skin will fade over a few days.
Are there side effects to Botox©?
You may find some bruising to the skin at the injection site, which is temporary and resolves over a few days. On very rare occasions, after having been treated several times with Botox©, patients may find that they become resistant to the drug and they continue sweating excessively.
Please check the price list for Botox© treatment costs.
Contact us for more information on using Botox© to treat excess sweating, or to book a consultation.