It’s normal to sweat if you’re nervous or your body temperature increases because of an illness or exercise. However, there are many people who sweat buckets for no reason. Botox in armpits is an effective solution for that problem.
Sweating is a natural part of your life and is involved in thermoregulation. Whenever the body temperature increases, sweating helps bring it down. But excessive sweating can make anyone uncomfortable around others. It can affect your personal and professional life. The other person might unfairly think poorly of your personal hygiene.
What Does Botox In Armpits Do?
In 20o4, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Botox to reduce sweating in case of “axillary hyperhidrosis” (armpit sweating). Although many clinics also offer it for other areas of the body, such as hands and feet, it is not cleared by the FDA.
There are many people who try to deal with this problem using deodorants and antiperspirants. There’s also the iontophoresis treatment, where electrical signals are used to stop the stimulation of sweat glands temporarily. However, these measures don’t always work.
According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, Botox injections can reduce sweating by 82% to 87%. It only takes 2-4 days for people to start seeing results. The results of the botulinum toxin injection can last from 4-14 months.
What Are the Causes of Excessive Sweating?
There are many different reasons why a person may sweat more than others. Human beings have millions of sweat glands in their bodies.
However, you need to keep in mind that the word “excessive” is subjective. Depending on their daily activities, some people may sweat litres. This would be normal because of what they do in their daily routine. To get a proper diagnosis, consult a medical practitioner.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that results from overactive sweat glands. It tends to run in families. In this, the person sweats excessively and regularly from different parts of the body, such as:
- Hands
- Face
- Feet
- Armpits
A study by the International Hyperhidrosis Society showed that 1 in 5 teens suffer from excessive sweating. Furthermore, it reported that 75% of people thought of it as a “major or moderate impairment” in their daily lives.
It can get to the point where the sweat from the armpits drips down the body. This makes it difficult for the person to carry out their day-to-day activities. The sweating isn’t something that happens as a result of nervousness or a hardcore workout. The person with hyperhidrosis is unable to control the sweating.
One study published in the Health and Quality of Life Outcomes showed that people with hyperhidrosis felt uncomfortable paying the cashier because of sweaty hands. Moreover, they tended to avoid situations that would make them sweat.
Hormonal Changes
You may have heard many people say that when pregnant, women have a “pregnancy glow.” Sweating may have something to do with that glow, even if partially. Hormonal changes accompany pregnancy, blood flow increases, and so does the metabolic rate. It can make a woman sweat more.
Before entering menopause, hormonal changes again occur. It can cause hot flashes, even after the woman has entered menopause. Estrogen and progesterone play a role in regulating the body’s temperature. Fluctuations in their levels can cause increased sweating.
Medical Conditions
People who have diabetes may experience excessive sweating at night. This occurs as a result of low blood sugar levels. Those who have suffered nerve damage from diabetes may have gustatory sweating (sweating when eating or even thinking about food). It commonly occurs in cases of diabetes mellitus and causes sweating in the head and neck area.
Infections can commonly cause excessive sweating. It can occur in those people who have tuberculosis, HIV, or lymphoma. The overactivity of thyroid glands in a condition known as hyperthyroidism can also cause this problem. It speeds up different functions in the body. Other than that, anxiety can also make a person’s sweat glands go on overdrive.
Medications
Certain medications can also make you sweat. The International Hyperhidrosis Society has given a list of medicines that can cause excessive sweating. Therefore, you should consult your doctor about the problem with your sweat glands.
How Does Botox In Armpits Work?
Botox injections work by blocking the nerves that signal the release of sweat from sweat glands. It only works in those areas of the body where it has been injected. Since it targets the sweat glands only, Botox in armpits should not impact sensation in that area.
Keep in mind that Botox takes 2-3 days to take effect. So, you will start noticing the results of the treatment then, but you’d need to wait for at least 2 weeks to see the final results of this procedure.
What To Do Before Botox In Armpits Procedure?
Before coming in for your Botox in armpits treatment, you should make the following preparations:
- Consider wearing sleeveless clothes.
- Wear dark-coloured clothes as the doctor will paint an iodine solution on your arm and then dust it with starch to find the areas where you sweat excessively.
- Do not shave or wax your armpit here a day before the procedure, but you can do it before that as it will make it easier for the doctor to see the injection site.
- Do not apply any deodorant or antiperspirant to your armpits before the treatment.
What Is the Procedure for Botox in Armpits?
The practitioner will begin the procedure by applying iodine to your armpits and letting it dry. It is then dusted with starch, and a reaction occurs in 10-15 minutes between the two compounds (colour turns purple).
The iodine and starch are cleaned, and the area of excessive sweating is marked with a surgical marker. About 15-20 injections are administered to each armpit, but it can also be more. Very fine needles are used, and a small amount is injected superficially each time, with each injection site being 1.5cm apart.
Botox in armpits procedure is not painful, although some patients feel discomfort and stinging. Your practitioner may apply a numbing cream to the area so that you don’t feel pain. The whole procedure doesn’t take longer than 45 minutes.
What Is Botox In Armpits Aftercare?
Botox for sweating has no downtime. You can resume your routine activities right after the procedure, but take care of the following:
- Do not apply any deodorant or antiperspirant to your armpits for 1-3 days after the procedure, as it can cause skin irritation.
- Avoid hot baths, showers, and saunas for 1-2 days after the procedure.
- Do not perform any intense physical exercise for 1-2 days.
What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Botox In Armpits?
There are some side effects of this procedure. At the site of the injection itself, you may experience pain, tenderness, redness and bruising. Other than that, you may also experience:
- Headaches
- Hot flushes
- Pain in the armpit and/or muscle
- Weakness (of the muscles and the arm)
- Nausea
- Itchiness
Rarely do patients experience what’s known as “compensatory sweating,” where they start to sweat more after the procedure. However, it is temporary and should go away after a few months.
Is Botox in Armpits Safe?
Botox in armpits is considered safe and effective. It’s an FDA-approved treatment. However, some people have concerns about whether or not Botox in armpits has a relation to breast cancer. On that, there’s no conclusive scientific evidence that Botox in armpits can cause cancer.
How Long Does Botox In Armpits Last?
The results of Botox in armpits last from anywhere between 6-7 months. You will require follow-up treatment after this to maintain the results of the procedure. Botox will not permanently stop or reduce sweating, but temporarily, it can make a significant difference.
What Are the Benefits of Botox in Armpits?
Excessive sweating can impact the quality of life of many individuals. They become hesitant to carry out their daily tasks. They may also experience pruning and peeling as a result of excessive sweating. So, those who are suffering from conditions that make them sweat excessively can benefit from this treatment.
What Much Is Botox In Armpits?
Botox for sweating is sometimes available on the NHS, so you can talk to your GP about it. Typically, health insurance doesn’t cover this procedure, so you’ll have to get it privately. In the UK, the price of this treatment usually starts from £400. However, the same procedure will cost you £200 in Turkey.
Ending Remarks
Using a deodorant or antiperspirant spray to deal with sweating is not enough for many people. They may profusely sweat through their clothes, regardless. There are many conditions, illnesses and even medications that can cause this problem. Unfortunately, it can negatively impact the social life of an individual.
Botox in armpits can safely and effectively take care of this problem by stopping the sweat glands from producing sweat. The treatment can make a significant difference to the extent of sweating. However, keep in mind that the results are temporary so you’d have to get the injections again after 6 months. If you’re experiencing this problem, make sure to get in touch with a medical professional to discuss your treatment options.
