As much as we may dislike it, sweating is a completely normal and natural phenomenon. It’s our body’s way of regulating its temperature due to hot weather or after strenuous physical activity. For most people, applying antiperspirants is an effective solution.
However, for people who have hyperhidrosis, a health condition in which a person sweats excessively, antiperspirants are of little help.
Excessive sweating can be embarrassing. It affects a person’s social and professional life and may even impact them mentally and emotionally.
If you, too, are searching for an answer to how to stop your armpits from sweating, we may have an effective solution for you — Botox.
What Is Botox?
Botox is a neurotoxin that has a variety of medical uses, including wrinkle repair and chronic migraine. It is derived from a microbe called Clostridium botulinum and is actually a brand name for the first botulinum toxin that was injectable. There are also other brands for the toxin, but Botox remains the most popular.
Today, Botox is most recognized for its use in cosmetics to remove wrinkles such as crow’s feet or forehead lines.
However, some specialists also use Botox for armpit sweat as it effectively reduces sweating by more than 80%, with the effects lasting anywhere between four to twelve months. It can also help reduce the odor that is created because of the bacteria thriving in a moist environment.
If you’re concerned about the safety of injecting a neurotoxin into your body, you’ll be happy to know that the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved Botox in armpits as perfectly safe.
However, although the process is safe, there are some side effects you will want to know about. So, if you are considering this treatment, here are a few pros and cons that you should consider:
Pros:
- Minimal pain when injected in armpits
- Less invasive than some other surgical options
- Effective results — a study found a 90% reduction in sweat production just two weeks after the treatment
Cons:
- FDA-approved for armpits only
- Need follow-up treatments every 6 to 16 months
- Can be painful when injected into the soles or palms
- Mild pain and other side effects
Now, if this has got you wondering, how much armpit Botox costs at our clinic? Please see our Treatments page for the most up-to-date pricing at Contour Clinique.
How Does Botox Work Its Magic?
Now that you know what Botox is, you’re probably wondering how to stop armpit sweat with it. To fully grasp it, you first need to understand the mechanism of sweating.
When your body temperature rises, due to hot weather or physical activity, your nervous system activates sweat glands that help cool down your body. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine binds to receptors in your sweat glands to signal the activation of sweat.
People with hyperhidrosis have overactive sweat glands that produce excess sweat even when their body does not need any cooling.
Enter Botox.
Botox blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from binding to the sweat glands as it essentially paralyzes the nerves so they cannot signal your sweat glands. Thus, Botox helps break this signal and stop sweating.
Getting Underarm Botox: What the Procedure Involves
Underarm Botox treatments are short procedures, typically lasting around 45 minutes in total.
Note that this cosmetic procedure is only performed in a doctor’s office or medical spa with the utmost care taken for hygiene and sterilization. You must also inform your injector about any medication that you are taking, so they can advise you to continue or stop certain medications if needed.
Your injector will ask you to wear a short-sleeved shirt and avoid shaving your armpits a few days before the treatment.
For the treatment, your injector will mark your armpit area with ink and inject Botox just below the surface of your skin using a fine needle. Typically, around 100 units total are administered in a grid pattern under both arms. Some people may need a slightly higher number of units.
When receiving these treatments, you may be offered a numbing agent, ice, or painkillers if you are exceptionally sensitive to pain.
Botox underarms treatment is a simple procedure with little to no side effects and you can resume your daily life right after the procedure. Afterward, your tech may ask you for a follow-up appointment to check for missed spots.
Results
Once you get the injections, you will start noticing a reduction in sweating in just three to four days. And the full effect can be seen in around two weeks.
While the outcome of Botox for underarms is effective, it is temporary. You will need booster injections every 6 to 16 months.
As for side effects, patients may experience some mild discomfort, which is normal and goes away after a while. Some common side effects are:
- Skin irritation
- Bruising or pain
- Headache
- Bleeding
- Flu-like symptoms
These are mild and generally go away without any treatment.
Conclusion
Excessive sweating affects one’s quality of life. It can make a person shy and insecure and hinder their social as well as professional life. Fortunately, Botox is a simple answer! It’s an easy and effective method that can help you deal with an embarrassing problem with little to no hassle.
If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis, book a consultation with Contour Clinique Med Spa today!
