Botulinum Toxin Injections
for Hyperhidrosis of Armpits

What is Hyperhidrosis of the Armpits?

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating in certain areas of the body due to overactive sweat glands. This is common in the underarm area, on the hands, forehead, and feet. This condition can cause people problems in their working and social lives due to sweat patches in the underarm area which can be embarrassing and cause anxiety. This excessive sweating is very common and can occur regardless of the weather, core body temperature, and may be exacerbated by feelings of stress and anxiety.

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What are Botulinum Toxin Injections for Hyperhidrosis of the Armpits?

Sometimes topical antiperspirants are just not enough to combat axillary hyperhidrosis.

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Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are considered safe and typically recommended for those who have tried other non-invasive and topical treatments first with no success, such as prescription antiperspirants, powder deodorants containing aluminium chloride or oral medications.

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Botulinum toxin can be very effective in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Tiny injections of Botox are injected into the armpits into the marked areas, each underarm usually requiring around 15-20 injections, (50 units to each underarm recommended), though this will be assessed on an individual basis at the time of consultation.

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When Botox is injected into the underarms, it works by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands, thus sweat production is dramatically reduced.

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This treatment will only work on the areas of the body that have been injected. In most cases, the treatment with botulinum toxin is an effective approach that can improve perspiration and dampness under the arms, thus improve a person’s quality of life, reduce anxiety and helping them to feel more confident.

 

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Treatment Time - 45 mins – 1 hour

Treatment Cost – Starting from £420

Male clients may require more toxin, but everyone will be assessed on an individual basis at time of consultation.

 

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What are the Benefits of Botulinum Toxin Injections?

This will help reduce sweating, and in most cases stop the sweat produced in your armpits for up to 6 months. You will feel more confident to live your life without the worry about the smell of sweat, the marks on clothes or having to carry a spare top around. Most people may find they need to use deodorant less while having this treatment.

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What are the Risks of Botulinum Toxin Injections?

• There is a risk you may experience some discomfort on injection, redness or itching where the injections have been given.

• There may be compensatory sweating, so more sweating on other parts of the body to compensate for the reduced sweating from the underarms, occurring in 4-5 out of 100 people after having this treatment, but generally resolves within approximately 4 months.

• 10 out of 100 people will experience a headache or hot flush after having the injections.

• Less than 1 in 100 people will feel sick after having the treatment.

• Less than 1 in 100 people will experience muscle pain or muscle weakness following the treatment.

• There is a risk that your arm could feel weak after the injections until the effect of the Botox wears off, occurring in 7 out of 1000 people.

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Preparing for your appointment

• Please wear a sleeveless top for your treatment appointment and remove any underarm hair prior to your appointment, as this will make it easier for your nurse to inject the area.

• If your armpits are covered, you will be asked to take your top off, but will be covered up.

• You will be laid down for this treatment, then your underarms will be cleaned with a sterilising solution.

• The area for injections will be marked out with a skin marker pen, approximately 15 – 20 injections per underarm, (50 units per underarm).

• When the procedure is finished you can go home following the aftercare advice and continue with your normal daily activities.

• Avoid using deodorants or perfumed products on the treated area for the next 12 – 24 hours to avoid irritation. 

• Please refrain from strenuous exercise following Botox injections for 24 hours to avoid bruising, swelling and the Botox diffusing into other areas.

• Follow-up required after 2 weeks to check results and see how you are doing.

• Repeat treatment times will be dependent on the individual, though effects often ware off in around 6 months, at which point you should contact your practitioner.