Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and surrounding areas
Throughout an average day, the body naturally perspires as a way to regulate heat. However, some individuals (as many as 1 to 2 % of the population) sweat excessively and unpredictably under the arms and/or in the face, hands and feet, even in cool temperatures or when they’re resting. This condition, known medically as Hyperhidrosis, is defined as the production of perspiration beyond what is necessary to control body heat.
The process of sweating is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, which maintains the five million or so sweat glands throughout the body (about two-third of these sweat glands are located in the hands alone). The answer to the problem of Hyperhidrosis lies with these nerves. Doctors have found that “supercharged” nerves cause this excessive sweating.
Family genetic history is believed to play a major role in the incidence of hyperhidrosis, but gender and race have not been determined to be contributing factors.
Hyperhidrosis can cause significant physical as well as emotional discomfort, and patients seeking help for this condition may wish to try a Botox® neurotoxin treatment.
Understanding the Procedure
Botox® is approved by the FDA for treating the symptoms of severe sweating when medicines used on the skin (topical) do not work well enough. Botox® neurotoxin is injected into the affected areas to help control this condition by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don’t receive chemical signals, the severe sweating stops.
What to Expect Afterwards
Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Most patients are in and out of the physician’s office without any downtime.Within days, patients see a marked decrease in the amount of sweating in the underarms, palms of hands or soles of feet. Individual results may vary. Results have been shown to last from 9 to 12 months. Results will vary according to the individual.
Is Botox Neurotoxin Right for you?
Botox® neurotoxin treatment is proven to be effective. Clinical studies found that:
57 out of 104 patients treated with Botox® (55%) achieved an effective response, compared to only 6 out of 108 treated without Botox® (6%). “Effective response” is defined as an improvement of at least two grades on the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS)
84 out of 104 patients treated with Botox® (81%) achieved a greater than 50% reduction in sweating, compared to only 44 out of 108 treated without Botox® (41%).
If you’re in good health — and do not have certain medical conditions, such as diseases affecting the muscles and nerves; breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema, bleeding problems, or known allergies to Botox — this treatment may be right for you. A consultation with Dr. Moradzadeh will help you make that determination.
Other Considerations
Botox® Neurotoxin is a not a permanent cure for hyperhidrosis (results last up to 12), so the treatment will need to be repeated. There are also surgical procedures for treating extreme cases of hyperhidrosis. Dr. Moradzadeh can advise you if this type of treatment is something you should consider.
Coming soon: Did you know that a new ultrasound treatment known as Ultherapy, can be used to treat axillary hyperhidrosis (armpit sweating)? Please call our office for details.
