Let’s talk sweat! Normally, we don’t really think about sweat. It’s just something that happens when we are hot, exercising, or sometimes when we feel particularly strong emotions such as embarrassment or stress. However, if we sweat too much, too often, and at unwanted times, it can be a problem that has a really big impact on your day to day life. Excessive sweating is called hyperhidrosis.
Excessive sweating
Hyperhidrosis can affect almost any part of the body, but most commonly the underarms, palms/soles and head/face.
How much sweating is ‘too much’? If your sweating is impacting your confidence, causing embarrassment, impacting day to day decisions such as what clothes you wear, or your career choices and personal relationships, then you are likely sweating ‘too much’.
The good news is that there is usually no underlying cause; other than a bit of bad luck! So it’s usually not a “serious” condition in that way. However, that does not take away from the significant impact it can have on people’s lives.
The best news about hyperhidrosis is that there are many effective treatment options. These include
- Extra strong antiperspirants
- Other prescription topical compounds such as Glycopyronium
- Botox injections
- Iontophoresis (utilises electricity to pass water or medication through the skin to lessen sweating)
- Occasionally oral medications such as anti-cholinergics
- Surgery is sometimes recommended
So if excessive sweating is impacting your life, please seek medical advice and treatment. The right treatment can be truly life changing!
Botox injections for Excessive Underarm Sweating
Excessive underarm sweating, aka axillary hyperhidrosis, is rather common. Botox injections are an incredibly effective treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. As a result, in Australia, this treatment qualifies for a medicare rebate, when performed by a Dermatologist (Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists). You are eligible for this medicare rebate if you have failed to gain benefit from strong antiperspirants (such as “No More Sweat”). If you are deemed eligible by a Dermatologist, then the out of pocket cost for the treatment will be significantly less compared to having the treatment at a cosmetic clinic run by non-Dermatologists.
What to expect if I have Botox for my Axillary Hyperhidrosis
If you see me about your underarm sweating, I will first chat to you about your sweating, past treatments you’ve tried and the treatment options you can now choose from.
Most patients however, attend their first appointment already knowing they want Botox injections. If this is the case for you, then when you book your initial appointment, please inform the reception staff of this, so that your booking can be scheduled accordingly.
Prior to the injections, you will have the option of having one of our specialist Dermatology nurses apply a highly effective compounded topical local anaesthetic cream to the underarm skin for 15 minutes. This, along with ice packs, can significantly lessen the discomfort you feel when the Botox injections are performed.
The injections are then performed very quickly, to minimise discomfort. It’s a very quick and simple procedure and you can easily return to work / your normal activities immediately after.
How long do the Botox Injections last?
Initially, you will likely start to notice lessening in your sweat in the first week or two, and the impact will last up to 6 months. Sometimes, as you have more treatments over time, patients find that they can last even longer.
If you’d like to see me about your excessive sweating, please get in touch and I’d be delighted to help you stop worrying about sweating and get on with more important things!
Written by AProf Amanda Saracino
© 2023 AProf Amanda Saracino
