I tried botox for armpit sweating and didn’t expect these results

Standing Appointment is our review series that examines the best new and most notable cosmetic procedures in the field of aesthetics and whether they’re worth trying for yourself. This week, an author tries Botox for excessive sweating.

If you’ve never heard of Botox, you’ve clearly been living under a rock. Injection (which uses the toxin onobotulinum toxin A) has become one of the most common cosmetic procedures used to prevent and smooth facial wrinkles and fine lines, and is now as commonplace as a facial or massage. However, a much lesser known fact about Botox is that it is also commonly used for medical Procedures, in addition to cosmetic. Doctors regularly treat patients with Botox injections for a variety of conditions, including chronic migraines, neck and eye spasms, overactive bladder, and excessive sweating.

The main poison in Botox, the aforementioned onobotulinum toxin A, is able to block certain chemical signals from nerves, mainly signals that cause muscles to contract. While this is known to help relax facial muscles and reduce wrinkles, it also applies to other bodily functions that are affected by muscle and nerve responses. For sweating, Botox injections block the nerve signals that activate the sweat glands, thereby controlling sweating in the injection area.

Years before I knew anything about the versatility of Botox, I looked into the sweating symptoms it treats. In fact, I’ve struggled with excessive armpit sweating – medically known as hyperhidrosis – since childhood. In any weather, with any activity, my armpits sweated, even when it was 30 degrees outside. While some things certainly make the condition worse, like heightened emotions, stress, or anxiety, my hyperhidrosis has been a constant in my everyday life, even in the most boring or mundane moments. It has nothing to do with heat or exercise or normal activity that makes you sweat – it’s overactive sweat glands.

Anyone who has experienced it can attest that it is a most uncomfortable way to live. Personally, it has been a source of embarrassment for many years and even causes social anxiety in many situations. I’d try to avoid sweat stains by wearing loose-fitting tops or darker colors, but it’s still hard to avoid if the condition were to flare up. Whether a sweat stain is visible or not, the clammy, uncomfortable feeling is still there — and completely uncontrollable.

Over the years I’ve tried just about every clinical-strength deodorant on the market, even prescription antiperspirants, but nothing has worked for the excessive sweating I’ve been struggling with. Discovering Botox injections as a solution to hyperhidrosis should be a life-changing revelation.

I first decided to try the treatment with top skin and body care clinic SkinSpirit and when I got to my appointment, physiotherapist Nina Sedighi explained some of the basics of the procedure. Here’s everything you need to know.

How does Botox work against sweating?

“Excessive sweating is a common condition that can affect the armpits, palms, soles and forehead,” says Sedighi. “In people with hyperhidrosis, the nerves that signal the sweat glands are overactive. Botox injections help block the nerves that activate the sweat glands, resulting in less sweating in that area.”

The Botox injection is localized to a pre-marked, targeted underarm area and injected with a small needle. While Sedighi explained that the treatment shouldn’t hurt, she shared with me that it might feel like a slight pinch in my armpits. I have a very low pain tolerance and my nerves were running high, so I opted for a numbing cream to ensure maximum comfort. Sedighi applied the numbing cream liberally to each armpit and we waited about 10 minutes before officially starting the treatment, enough time for the cream to work. When she started the injection I didn’t feel any pain, just a little pressure at the injection sites. “For best results on my armpits, I usually do 50 units of Botox per armpit,” confirms Sedighi.

What are the advantages?

The treatment can be expensive (although sometimes insurance covers it), requiring up to 100 sessions of Botox at an average cost of $10 to $15 per session. It is therefore important to know that the investment is really worthwhile. According to research, Botox is a highly effective treatment for hyperhidrosis and has been shown to reduce underarm sweating by 82% to 87%. In addition to armpit sweating, Botox is used to treat sweaty palms, feet, and forehead, and has shown similar positive results in clinical studies.

Sedighi adds that patients can expect “less sweating for up to six months and most importantly, an improved quality of life (say goodbye to sweat stains)”!

Who is an ideal candidate?

“If you’re a healthy adult and you’re suffering from excessive armpit sweating and it’s affecting your quality of life, then you might be the perfect candidate,” says Sedighi. Most candidates for treatment have already tried prescription antiperspirants with no success or are looking for a more permanent, long-lasting solution to their hyperhidrosis.

“However, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have neuromuscular disorders, or are allergic to neurotoxins, then this treatment is not for you,” says Sedighi.

What are the side effects?

“There aren’t many side effects, but some patients may experience bruising and soreness in and around the injection area, or swelling and redness,” Sedighi shares. “These incidents usually resolve on their own fairly quickly.” Although very uncommon, she adds that “rare side effects include flu-like symptoms, headaches or muscle weakness.”

I haven’t felt any side effects myself, although I did notice a slight redness in the area, especially where the botox was injected. No pain or bruising whatsoever.

What is the aftercare?

The treatment itself is very short – the procedure lasted around 20 minutes in total – and there is little to think about aftercare either. “I recommend avoiding deodorants/antiperspirants on the day of treatment, along with strenuous exercise and heat, such as saunas and hot tubs for 24 hours. If discomfort occurs, a cold compress can be applied to the area.”

I followed the directions and avoided both deodorant and exercise for a full 24 hours. I also waited the same amount of time before showering, just to be extra careful not to let excessive heat get into the armpit area.

How long does it take for Botox to kick in?

Amazingly, the results can be pretty immediate. “An improvement can be noticed in just a few days, but it takes about two weeks to fully occur,” says Sedighi. And while the treatment isn’t a permanent solution to underarm sweating, results can last up to 12 months for some.

My final results

After receiving the treatment I noticed results within two days and they were dramatic. It’s been about a month now and I’ve had zero instances of excessive (or even minimal) sweating, aside from exercising. Sweating under the arms is also rather clammy when doing sports. The treatment has been fully effective so far and has led to a massive improvement in my everyday life. Even in moments of stress or anxiety over the past few weeks, my armpits have remained calm and dry. I never thought I could successfully treat my hyperhidrosis – but I’m so thankful for Botox; it literally changed my life. I no longer have to think about what to wear, what to do, raise my arms, or even deal with the daily discomfort of sweaty armpits.

Although the treatment can be expensive, I would say it is totally worth the cost and would recommend it to anyone who also suffers from excessive sweating. Your quality of life will be greatly improved. I will definitely be returning for repeat treatments once my current botox wears off.