Excessive sweating is a frustrating condition and can cause you to feel self-conscious in social settings, especially if you’re wearing clothing that easily shows sweat stains. At my plastic surgery practice in Las Vegas, we use BOTOX to treat axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating under the arms). If you’re considering BOTOX treatment for hyperhidrosis, you likely have many questions. In this blog post, we answer many of the most common questions patients have.
Is BOTOX Treatment for Axillary Hyperhidrosis Safe?
BOTOX has been FDA approved for axillary hyperhidrosis since 2004. In our office, we have had good experience with BOTOX injections to the armpits. We have treated a wide range of people, including patients, staff, and family members. After treatment, you will still sweat with exercise—you won’t harm yourself by controlling excessive sweating. We talk more about how BOTOX works for underarm sweating in our related blog post.
We typically use 50 units of BOTOX per armpit. A couple of patients after treatment have told us that it is the first time they’ve been able to wear a powder blue shirt in years. Many celebrities on the red carpet also like to have BOTOX hyperhidrosis treatment before big events.
Are BOTOX Injections Under the Arm Painful?
In our office, we apply a topical numbing medicine to the treatment area before the injections. The procedure is quick, using a very small needle. Most of our patients tolerate it well, and often say it is not a “big deal.” It is truly a ‘lunchtime procedure,” where patients can get treated and then go back to work.
How Long Do BOTOX Effects Last?
With BOTOX hyperhidrosis treatments, most people will see the effects for about 9 months. We have had many patients’ results last for over a year. Healthline offers additional information about what to expect after a hyperhidrosis BOTOX treatment.
Is BOTOX Mixed With Any Other Solutions for Hyperhidrosis?
BOTOX comes as a fine white powder in a vial. One must mix it with sterile saline to get it into injectable (liquid) form. There are no other recommended liquids for dilution at the time of this writing.
Is BOTOX for Sweaty Armpits Effective After Other Methods Have Failed?
Here in Las Vegas, excessive armpit sweating can be a big problem. Patients often come in after going through conservative treatment, such as dry-sol, pads, and so on. If these don’t work, then we will often advise BOTOX injections. Patients are usually very happy with the results.
You can talk to us about treating your hyperhidrosis with BOTOX by requesting a consultation using our online form or by calling us at (702) 450-0777 to schedule an appointment.