Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) Treatments
in Houston, TX

How Botox® for Hyperhidrosis Works

Botox® is a dermal injection formula produced by Allergan, Inc., of Irvine, California that has gained worldwide popularity as a treatment to reduce the visible signs of aging in the skin, such as wrinkles. Botox® is formulated with an ingredient known as Onabotulinumtoxin A and is the most studied and widely used brand of botulinum toxin in the world.

In addition to its use as a cosmetic dermal filler to treat wrinkles and lines in the face, Botox® has been approved by the FDA to treat a total of eight medical conditions, receiving its first FDA approval in 1989. Over the years Botox® has been used to treat millions of patients with a variety of conditions. Botox® has been shown effective in treating acne, bumpy chin, and chronic headaches, as well as other conditions, including hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating.

Onabotulinumtoxin A is a natural occurring protein purified from bacteria that can temporarily block secretion of the chemical that triggers the body’s sweat glands. By altering this chemical process, botulinum toxin blocks the production of sweat in strategic treatment areas such as the underarms, hands, or feet. Botox® injections, when used for this purpose, are delivered just below the surface of the skin, so there is little discomfort following treatment.

Benefits of Botox® for Hyperhidrosis

In 2004, the FDA approved Botox® for the treatment of severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating of the underarms, in patients unable to obtain relief through the use of antiperspirants. At least 20 countries have also approved Botox® for this condition, and the treatment has shown efficacy in the vast majority of patients.

Research demonstrates that onabotulinumtoxin A provides a safe and effective treatment for the prevention of excessive sweating of the armpits, hands, feet, head and face, as well as other small areas of the body. When used to treat excessive sweating in the underarms, Botox has been shown to produce a whopping 82-87% decrease in perspiration. In the case of excessive palmar sweating, or excess perspiration in the hands or palms, Botox® demonstrated an 80-90% effectiveness rate in clinical studies. When used to treat palmar sweating, Botox® may produce temporary discomfort and weakness in the hands in some patients.

Treatment results vary between patients, as well as the areas of the body being treated, but in most patients treating hyperhidrosis, results become noticeable approximately 2 to 4 days after treatment, with effects gradually increasing for a period of 2 weeks. Treatments are typically effective for about 4 to 12 months, depending on such factors as genetics, age, and lifestyle, although some patients have reported effectiveness lasting as long as 14 months. Botox® injections to treat hyperhidrosis may be repeated as often as every 6 months.

Safety Concerns

Botox® injections are safe, because, while sweating is an essential biological function that naturally controls and regulates the body’s temperature, localized areas in the body typically contain only a small percentage of the body’s sweat glands. For example, the underarms contain less than 2% of the body’s total sweat glands, so a temporary paralysis of these glands will not greatly affect the body’s natural system of thermoregulation.

Recovery After Botox®

Botox® injections take as little as half an hour to administer and require no downtime. Most patients resume normal activities as soon as the treatment session ends. The treatment may initially produce mild irritation and redness at the injection sites, but these symptoms will subside naturally in a few hours.

RF Microneedling combines tiny needles with controlled radiofrequency energy to treat the deeper layers of the underarm skin. When used for excessive sweating, the treatment is designed to target sweat glands beneath the skin and may help reduce their activity over time.

This option may be appropriate for patients who want an alternative to injectable treatment or who are looking for longer-term support for underarm hyperhidrosis. A series of treatments may be recommended depending on the severity of sweating and your individual response.

Treatment is performed in the office with topical numbing for comfort. Mild redness, swelling, or tenderness in the underarm area may occur temporarily after treatment, but most patients can return to normal daily activities shortly afterward.