Dermatology & Liposuction

Botox for Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)

Excessive sweating of the underarms, palms, and soles is a widespread problem that significantly affects a person's ability to function in personal and business settings.

There are several ways to treat hyperhidrosis. The simplest is to try an over-the-counter antiperspirant called Certain Dri. It differs from other antiperspirants in that it is applied at night and reduces sweating by plugging the sweat glands with salt crystals. Stronger prescription versions are also available. One common side effect is local skin irritation.

Another approach is iontophoresis. Iontophoresis uses a specialized machine that uses tap water to produce a mild current in the skin that ultimately reduces the flow of sweat. For more information on iontophoresis, visit http://www.rafischer.com/prod05.htm#Iontophoresis or drionic.com.

Surgery and oral medications are other approaches to reduce sweat but have significant drawbacks and side effects.

Botox is a very effective approach for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Botox was FDA approved for underarm sweating several years ago and works very well. It can also be used to treat excessive sweating of the palms and soles. Treatment is performed in the office and takes about 20 minutes. Results are often dramatic, especially in the axillae, and usually last 6 - 8 months. Effects start to appear in 3 - 4 days and peak in about 2 weeks.