Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a medical condition that affects numerous Americans. Most patients complain of sweating of the underarms, hands, feet, or a combination of these. Milder treatment with topical solutions or oral medications are typically tried first. If these agents are not helpful, Botox injections of the area are often used before resorting to more radical procedures, such as surgery. No matter what the treatment, we can help you regain confidence for your next handshake or for the next time you must raise your arms.

What is the procedure like?
On the day of your procedure, Dr. Brown cleans the area and performs an “iodine starch test” to see exactly where the sweating is coming from. She will then inject the Botox through many tiny injections. In the underarms, these injections are tolerated well with minimal pain. For treatment of the hands or feet, methods of topical anesthesia are required to help control the pain. Of course, Dr. Brown will want to evaluate you and treat you appropriately before doing the procedure. We can discuss the Botox procedure and different treatment options at the time of your appointment.

I thought that Botox was only for wrinkles. How does it work on sweating?
Botox temporarily blocks the chemical signals that are released by nerves trying to stimulate the sweat glands to work. If these messenger chemicals are blocked, the sweating no longer occurs.

How soon does it work?
Most patients start to notice improvement within several days, but it may take up to several weeks for optimal improvement.

How long does it last?
Although every patient is different, you may see improvement in sweating that lasts from 6-12 months before injections must be repeated again.

Does Botox work for sweating?
In clinical studies, 81% of patients treated with Botox experienced at least a 50% reduction in sweating. As with every treatment, results will vary among patients.

Will my insurance cover the cost of Botox injections?
Dr. Brown’s staff works closely with insurance companies to seek insurance reimbursement for you and your procedure. You can also call the Reimbursement Hotline set up by the makers of Botox at 1-800-530-6680 to directly find out if Botox is covered under your plan.

Where can I find more information?
www.BotoxSevereSweating.com
www.SweatHelp.com (The International Hyperhidrosis Society)