December 2008 SPECIAL: $850 FOR TREATMENT OF BOTH UNDERARMS (new clients only)

 (100 units of Botox used-Full FDA recommended dose)

What causes underarm sweating?

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is caused by stimulation of the sweat glands by nerve endings which descend from higher centers in the brain. These nerves respond to emotional stresses; like intimate social situations, public speaking, physical stresses, and increased body temperature that comes with exercise or hot humid weather.

Most people with excessive sweating are bothered primarily when they are emotionally stressed, physically active, or over-heated. Botox® can prevent sweating for months by blocking the release of the neurotransmitter, i.e., acetylcholine, from the nerve endings, that causes the glands to produce sweat.

How is Botox® administered?
Fifteen to twenty drops of Botox® are injected via a very small needle into the hair-bearing skin of each underarm. Normal activity can be immediately resumed, while heavy exercise should be avoided for several hours.

When will Botox® take effect?
Underarm sweating will be decreased by 90% within 48 hours and full effect will be seen within one week. There may be simultaneous disappearance of odor associated with decreased sweating, but this is not consistent.

How long does Botox® last?
Most patients will obtain the benefit of dryness with one treatment of Botox® for six to ten months.

What are the risks and complications?
Complications from injection into the axillary skin include tiny bruises which fade in a few days, and small persistent areas of sweating that may need a second treatment. There is no risk of numbness or permanent change in the axillary skin.

What are alternative treatments?

Deodorants and antiperspirants.
Aluminum chloride hexahydrate and salts are used in topical antiperspirant sticks, creams, lotions and solutions. These prevent sweating by clogging the sweat ducts in the skin. These products can be irritating with continued use and are largely ineffective in people with excessive sweating.

Anticholinergic drugs and tranquilizers.
Oral medications currently used often provide relief but can cause dry mouth and blurry vision. Tranquilizers may minimize one's anxiety, but do little to diminish actual sweating.

Tap Water Iontophoresis.
Battery-powered electrical devices that use water, consist of a moist pad and a prickly electrical current held against skin for several hours. Although they decrease sweating in some people, they are time consuming and they need to be repeated on a daily or a weekly basis. Iontophoresis is mildly effective for severe cases.

Surgery - ETS technique
Surgical alternatives include cutting the sweat glands from the skin of the underarms, therein leaving visible scars and permanent numbness of the skin for decreased sweating. Neurosurgeons now use a fiberoptic surgical tube, to cut nerves in the neck which lead to the axillary sweat glands, i.e. endoscopic sympathectomy.

Risk and side effects of ETS procedure: 

Infection, bleeding, and damage to the nerves.

Compensatory sweating. When this occurs the body "makes up" for the decreased sweating in the treated area by producing more sweat in other areas of the body. Approximately 85% of patients will experience some degree of compensatory sweating. It is important to note that compensatory sweating does not improve with time and is the main cause of dissatisfaction with the procedure.

Gustatory Sweating: Increased sweating when patients eat.

Horner’s Syndrome: Presents with unilateral decreased facial sweating, drooping of the eyelid, and enlarged pupils.

Pneumothorax: Air or gas can collect in the chest cavity, which may cause the lung to collapse.

If you are interested in learning more about Botox® use for excessive underarm sweating, please contact our office at (212) 223 2235 to schedule free consultation with Dr. Yagudin

For more information on Botox for Hyperhidrosis you may check http://botox.com/

Legal disclaimer:

The content on this website is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended in any way to substitute professional medical advice during an in office consultation and examination by the physician. Any photos from this web site with text “Property of Dermacare Medical PC” on them are not allowed to be copied and reprinted in any way without written permission from Dermacare Medical PC.

Any and all references to Botox® refer to Botox® Purified Neurotoxin Complex which is a registered trademark of Allergan Laboratories, Inc.