What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive and abnormally increased sweating in the underarms and palms, in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature. An estimated 2%-3% of Americans suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis). This an embarrassing and hard to disguise condition which can affect a person’s confidence, productivity, and quality of life.
What Are Botox® and Dysport®? How Do They Work to Alleviate Hyperhidrosis?
Botox® and Dysport® are both therapeutic muscle-relaxing agents derived from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. The treatment is very safe in that it doesn’t directly affect nerves or muscles but interrupts nerve impulses from the brain to relax muscle activity. Injections of the two substances alleviate severe sweating by blocking the specific nerves that supply the sweat glands. Strategic and precise placement of injections is the key to effectively stopping the glands from producing sweat. Injections are shallow and relatively painless, injected just below the surface of the skin, where they remain.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for This Treatment?
This treatment is typically recommended for people who have tried everything but cannot get relief — even with the strongest antiperspirants or medication. Not only does Botox® and Dysport® alleviate the actual sweat but it also reduces body odor (bromhydrosis).
How Long Will the Treatment Take? How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Botox® and Dysport® injections can be relatively quickly administered in during an office visit. The treatment does not demand any restrictions of a patient (except for refraining from intensive exercise or the use of a sauna on the day of the injections). The treatment itself takes about 15 minutes, but you will be in the office for about an hour. Approximately 10-15 injections in each underarm are made using a tiny needle. You should notice initial improvement of excessive sweating within about 4 weeks. Repeated treatment is safe and effective for hyperhidrosis and consistently results in long-lasting improvements and a significant reduction in excessive sweating improving quality of life.
How Long Does the Treatment Last?
The effects of Botox® injections usually last approximately 4 to 6 months. Although, some patients are free of excessive sweating for more than 7 months to a year.