Sweating is normal and necessary to control body temperature during exercise and in warmer surroundings. Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating affects about 1% or 2% of the population. It can occur in many different areas of the body, and it affects both sexes equally, and all races.

Hyperhidrosis is not a temporary condition and it can severely impact the daily life of people who suffer from it. Excessive sweating can also cause irritating or painful skin conditions.

Botulinum toxin type A, commonly known as ‘Botox’, is a treatment given by injection into the skin. It is licensed in the UK for treating localised hyperhidrosis of the armpits (axillae). Botox injections will stop underarm/ armpit sweating for 5-8 months. After this time the treatment can be repeated.

When Botox is injected, the toxin blocks the chemical messenger sent to your sympathetic nerves and so it does not reach the sweat glands. Without the chemical message, the glands cannot turn on the sweating. Botox permanently blocks the nerve endings and so sweat cannot be produced. Within 6-12 weeks, your body starts to produce new nerve endings. These new endings can receive the message to turn those particular sweat glands on, so mild sweating returns. Within 4-12 months, all of the new nerve endings have been produced and the chemical message can be received, turning all of the sweat glands on again. Sweating returns to normal and the treatment has finished.

All treatments are carried out by a specially trained Doctor, who will have a consultation with you before the treatment. This helps to determine where sweating occurs at its worst and to ensure that you have no health problems that Botox may interfere with.

The Botox injection itself is relatively quick and painless. Firstly, the skin area will be cleaned to avoid infection. Then the Botox will be injected with a very fine needle, with each armpit administered around fifteen injections. you can resume normal activities immediately.