Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can cause embarrassment and discomfort for sufferers. Although antiperspirants and other treatments have been recommended for this condition, many patients have been unsatisfied with the results of those options. Today, Botox is available to treat hyperhidrosis. Best known for its use in cosmetic treatments to address wrinkles, Botox stops hyperhidrosis by interrupting signals that activate sweating. Here is more about how this treatment works and what parts of the body can be treated by your dermatologist.
How Botox Addresses Hyperhidrosis
To understand how Botox works in patients with hyperhidrosis, it is useful to first review how the sweat glands function. The dermis, or middle layer of the skin, contains eccrine and apocrine glands that secrete sweat. Eccrine glands can be found on the skin all over the body, but apocrine glands are found in areas such as the armpits and groin and are activated by the nervous system. Apocrine glands are the ones that are especially problematic for people with hyperhidrosis.
Botox works by blocking the nerve signals that activate the sweat glands where it is injected. Release of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter involved in this process, is simply disrupted as long as the botulinum toxin is present. Nerves are not damaged, and sweating in the area returns to normal after the treatment wears off.
Where Can Botox Can Be Used On the Body?
Botox can be used in several locations, including the palms, underarms, groin, face and feet. Your Orange county Botox dermatologist will determine where and how many Botox injections are necessary by first identifying the precise area in which sweating takes place. The dosage necessary to control hyperhidrosis can vary based on a number of factors, including gender and the area being treated.
Getting your Botox injections in our Orange County dermatology offices
Patients who visit any of our three dermatology clinics in Orange County for Botox will receive several injections to cover the areas they want to treat. The duration of effectiveness is different for individuals, but most patients will not require more injections for about six months. Overall, Botox is a safe and effective way for patients to get relief from hyperhidrosis and start enjoying life free from the problems the condition causes.