What is Hyperhidrosis?
When sweating is this extreme it can be embarrassing, uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing. It can disrupt all aspects of a person’s life. This kind of excessive sweating is called hyperhidrosis and affects approximately 3% of the world’s population.
Treating Hyperhidrosis with Botox
In 2004, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of severe primary axillary or underarm hyperhidrosis in patients unable to obtain relief using antiperspirants. The service is performed in our downtown Chicago office and requires relatively little time to perform. Although we do not recommend returning to exercise the same day, there are no restrictions to work or leisure activities. During the procedure, a very fine needle is used to inject tiny amounts of Botox® just under the skin intermittently throughout the area of excessive sweating (in a grid pattern, approximately every 1 to 2 centimeters). Multiple injections are given based on your doctor’s assessment of the area that needs to be treated. To ease any potential discomfort, topical anesthetic is used.
What are the results like?
After you receive treatment, we recommend that you follow-up with your doctor in two weeks. This follow-up is highly useful because it enables us to ‘touch-up’ any sweating areas that may have been missed during the first round of injections and ensure that you are getting the treatment’s full benefit. The cost of Botox treatments for hyperhidrosis will vary depending upon the size of the body area. Botulinum toxin injections do not cure hyperhidrosis; your symptoms will go away gradually (usually in about a week) and return gradually. Follow-up injections are required to maintain dryness. These repeat injections may be necessary at intervals varying from 7 to 16 months.
How do I know if Botox for Hyperhidrosis is right for me?
To diagnose this condition please schedule a consultation with one of our providers for a physical exam. The initial consultation can be billed through insurance. The assessment helps us to diagnose and plan the best treatment option for you. Please note that Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology considers Botulinum toxin for hyperhidrosis a cosmetic service and does not bill treatment through insurance.
Areas treated at CCSD: underarms, palms of hands and hairline
