Risk Factors for Axillary Hyperhidrosis
For some people, excessive sweating is caused by a medical condition. It’s important to see your doctor so you can be tested to rule out a medical cause such as:
- diabetes
- menopause
- thyroid problems
- low blood sugar
Some factors increase the likelihood that someone will have hyperhidrosis, including:
- Family history of excessive sweating
- Medical conditions that result in sweating
- Medicines or foods that lead to hyperhidrosis
What is the Cause?
Sweating serves the essential function of regulating body temperature, which is typically a natural process. People tend to sweat more in warmer temperatures, during physical activity, or in response to emotional states such as nervousness, anger, embarrassment, or fear. Excessive sweating occurs specifically in the underarms, on the palms and soles of the feet. Nerves that trigger your sweat glands become overactive and trigger the sweat glands even without heat or physical activity. Around 3 in every 100 Australians have excessive sweating and left untreated, these problems may continue throughout life.
How to treat Excessive Sweating?
There are a variety of treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis, which are designed to control how much a person sweats and improve their quality of life. Botulinum toxin has been approved by FDA for treating excessive axillary (underarm) sweating.
A small amount of Botulinum toxin is injected with a very fine needle into roughly 25 to 20 spots in each armpit. This may produce up to 14 months of relief from sweating.
Is Botulinum toxin for underarm sweating safe?
Botulinum toxin injections in the armpits have almost no side effects besides the immediate discomfort of the injections. The procedure is typically quick, painless and well-tolerated.
To prepare for underarm Botulinum toxin injections:
- Avoid laser hair removal or shaving in the axillary region (armpits) for two days before your appointment. This allows the skin to settle and reduces potential irritation during the procedure.
- Ensure the treatment area is clean-shaven before the procedure. Botulinum toxin tends to be most effective on clean-shaven skin. Aim to shave your underarms 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment to optimise results.
Does Botulinum toxin in armpits stop odour?
Yes, Botulinum toxin injections in the armpits can help reduce body odour. By reducing excess moisture, Botulinum toxin can help eliminate odour. You may still need to use deodorant or antiperspirant since Botox doesn’t completely stop sweating. The aim is to bring sweat levels down to a normal amount.
Botulinum toxin, is commonly recognized for its effectiveness in treating wrinkles as a popular cosmetic procedure. It also offers significant benefits for hyperhidrosis. Specifically, Botulinum toxin can reduce underarm moisture by an impressive 82-87%. These effects typically last between 3 to 12 months, after which patients may require additional treatment.
How it works?
Botulinum toxin operates by temporarily obstructing the chemicals that prompt your sweat glands to generate sweat. This process doesn’t impact touch or sensations in the treated area. Typically, the procedure involves approximately 25 injections in each armpit and can be completed in a single office visit. Although many individuals hardly feel the injections, some liken the sensation to a rubber band slap. Improvement usually begins within a few days, with full results becoming apparent around two weeks after the treatment.
Can Botulinum toxin slim your arms?
Botulinum toxin injections can contribute to slimming the appearance of arms. By targeting prominent muscles, Botulinum toxin relaxes them by blocking nerve signals responsible for muscle contractions. This relaxation leads to a reduction in the appearance of bulky muscles, resulting in a slimmer arm shape.
