These past few weeks I have had the privilege of treating a few folx for excessive underarm sweating, AKA hyperhidrosis. My injection technique has evolved over the years and has come to a point where I am consistently getting good outcomes. For those of us who sweat enough in the underarms to cause social discomfort and whose quality of life is impacted, using neurotoxin like Botox can offer relief. Some of my clients report having to change clothes throughout their day or limit their wardrobe to accommodate the sweating. We are in the heat of summer here in PDX and I what a fitting time to remind us of this potentially life-enhancing and accessible intervention.

Here a recent client shares their experience: 

My treatment has been life-changing! I've had horrible under-arm sweating since I was a kid. It's limited what I can wear to tank tops, sleeveless shirts, and pretty much black/white clothing. I used to wear solid black and drab cardigans at work due to sweat. After my treatment with Heather, I can wear sleeves! I'm even rocking blazers at work and dressing more nicely and feel so much better! I still can't get over being able to wear sleeves and colors for the first time in my life! Heather maps out your underarm to target where to inject and it's incredible. I would highly recommend her to anyone! She's also very skilled at subtle face injections and has an incredible eye and hand. I'm so happy I found her and will definitely return! Cannot recommend her enough.

Testimonials like this fill my cup, and remind me of why I love this work; to help facilitate an improvement in one’s life is pretty cool. I also appreciate that with such a simple and safe tool as Botox, we can help someone. 

There are some key points I have learned over the years in the application of Botox for hyperhidrosis. To start, I begin with 50 units under each arm to ensure an adequate dose. In my previous blog on treatment of hyperhidrosis with Botox, I talked about starting with 35 units however I have found more success with a healthier dose of 50 units. I have continued to begin each treatment with the iodine/starch test to first locate the areas concentrated with sweat glands which I find extremely helpful. Lastly, I have moved my needle millimeters deeper to be in the dermis of the skin which is where sweat glands reside.  

To ensure comfort, the underarm area is numbed for 20 minutes prior to the injections. In the hands of a qualified injector, this is a safe procedure and less risky because we are not aiming for an aesthetic result.

Botox for hyperhidrosis of the underarm is considered when treatment with antiperspirant deodorant fails to offer relief and you’re not open to surgery. Research shows that underarm microtox injections can offer a 75% reduction in sweating, improvement in emotional and physical well being, and a decrease in activity limitations without adverse events (1). This microtox technique can also be applied to the palms of hands and feet. 

For most, Botox for hyperhidrosis is a safe, rapid, and effective option. This is an accessible treatment with potential for improved self-confidence and comfort. You can link to schedule an appointment or  complimentary consultation to see if you are a candidate for treatment.