Botox For Hyperhidrosis

BOTOX FOR HYPERHIDROSIS IN SEATTLE, BELLEVUE, AND KIRKLAND

Sweating during exercise or on a hot day is perfectly normal and something everyone has experienced. However, for around 2.8% of the population, sweating is a much larger problem that interferes with daily life. This excessive sweating is known as hyperhidrosis and there are limited treatment options for people with this condition. BOTOX, the popular cosmetic injectable, is an FDA-approved way to stop this extra sweating. Dr. Craig Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery offers BOTOX for hyperhidrosis treatment in Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland. 

WHAT IS HYPERHIDROSIS?

Hyperhidrosis–as mentioned above–is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. While it can occur all around the body, it is most common in the armpits, palms, and bottom of the feet. With hyperhidrosis, the condition causes the nerves that control the release of your sweat glands to be overactive. Much like how BOTOX treats overactivity of the muscles, when injected into the nerves, it can treat overactive nerves that cause sweating.

Typically, when a person suffers from hyperhidrosis, they find themselves drenched in sweat during their daily lives. Often, not caused by hot weather or exercise. Although those conditions as well as stress and anxiety can make the problem worse. 

Symptoms

While the symptoms of hyperhidrosis are not life threatening. However, left untreated it can cause undue stress and anxiety and make it hard to go about your normal routine. Additionally, it can cause changes in everyday routine such as needing to change and carry extra clothes wherever you go. The most common symptoms of hyperhidrosis include:

• Frequent sweating (often with no identifiable cause)
• Sweating localized (focal hyperhidrosis) to one or two parts of the body (if it affects the hands or feet, it will often affect both)
• Excessive sweating that soaks through clothing
• Increased anxiety, stress, and life disruptions caused from sweating

When left untreated, hyperhidrosis can have other uncomfortable side effects due to the uncontrollable sweating. A few of these include:

• Skin or nail infections
• Heat rash
• Warts
• Worsening or development of mental health problems due to the condition

Causes

The majority of hyperhidrosis cases have no identifiable cause. This is known as primary hyperhidrosis. Usually, this type of hyperhidrosis begins in adolescence. Sometimes, there may be genetic factors, as it appears to run in some families. Regardless, many hyperhidrosis patients have no discernable reason for their excessive sweating.

The second type of hyperhidrosis is called secondary hyperhidrosis. This refers to when another health problem causes excessive sweating. Most often, this is the type of hyperhidrosis that affects the whole body.

Some of the medical conditions and problems that can cause and worsen excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis include:

• Diabetes
• Some forms of cancer
• Hyperthyroidism
• Obesity
• Gout
• Shingles
• Anxiety
• HIV
• Parkinson’s disease
• Menopause

Additionally, regardless of if you have primary or secondary hyperhidrosis, situations and conditions can worsen the symptoms of hyperhidrosis. For example, stress, anxiety, overexercising, and hot weather can make you sweat even more.  

Treatment for secondary hyperhidrosis typically involves treating an underlying health condition first (if the cause). Then, possibly treating the uncomfortable sweating with other methods. BOTOX–while it may effectively treat secondary hyperhidrosis–the solution that will provide the best and most long term relief is treating the other medical condition.

Treatments

When a person is first diagnosed with hyperhidrosis, most doctors focus on conservative treatments first. This usually includes prescription antiperspirants or creams. For some patients, this will adequately treat their symptoms and reduce sweating. Other options include medications like nerve blockers or some antidepressants that discourage sweating. Finally, BOTOX injections are a possible treatment for patients with hyperhidrosis. Also, it is common to use more than one of these treatments throughout your lifetime or in conjunction with each other. This often yields the best and most effective results.

BOTOX for hyperhidrosis can treat excessive sweating anywhere on the body. Furthermore, it is FDA-approved for axillary hyperhidrosis, also known as hyperhidrosis in the armpits.

BOTOX comes from a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum, the same one that can cause botulism. However, BOTOX is an isolated protein of Botulinum toxin A that can temporarily paralyze the nerves and muscles where it is injected. When used for hyperhidrosis treatment, the BOTOX stops the nerves in the treatment area from sending signals to your sweat glands. 

The treated nerves will still function and are not totally paralyzed. Therefore, patients treated with BOTOX for hyperhidrosis can still sweat. However, it should occur during the appropriate times and not leave them absolutely drenched.

Possible Treatment Areas:

As mentioned above, BOTOX can be safely used to treat hyperhidrosis anywhere you experience it. BOTOX can treat hyperhidrosis occurring in parts of the body like:

• Armpits
• Hands (usually the palms)
• Feet (usually the bottoms of the feet)
• Face

Hyperhidrosis can occur throughout the entire body, but the listed areas account for most cases. At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, we can treat hyperhidrosis in any area. Nevertheless, BOTOX for hyperhidrosis treatment is not for every person living with the condition. Your doctor and Dr. Jonov should determine that BOTOX for hyperhidrosis is the best treatment for your excessive sweating.

BOTOX FOR HYPERHIDROSIS: FROM BEGINNING TO END

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery offers BOTOX for cosmetic and medical treatment. In addition to treating hyperhidrosis, we use BOTOX to treat chronic migraines. Before coming to our office, you and your doctor should understand the type of hyperhidrosis you have and feel that BOTOX injections are a good option.

Before

At your consultation, Dr. Jonov will want to gain an understanding of your hyperhidrosis, any current treatments, and previous treatments you have tried. He will also want an overview of your general medical history and the results you want. Next, he will physically examine the treatment area. Finally, he will determine if BOTOX for hyperhidrosis is right for you. 

If he believes that hyperhidrosis will help alleviate your symptoms, he can sometimes perform injections the same day. Otherwise, he will give instructions on how to prepare for BOTOX and help come up with a plan for treating hyperhidrosis.

During

Dr. Jonov will begin BOTOX for hyperhidrosis treatment by applying a topical numbing gel to the treatment area. This reduces the amount of discomfort from the injections. The amount of units injected will depend on the treatment area and severity of hyperhidrosis. Usually, between 50 to 100 units per armpit or area. Like mentioned before, BOTOX usually treats primary focal hyperhidrosis and, therefore, the armpits are the most frequent treatment area.

Once numb, Dr. Jonov will begin the injections. BOTOX for hyperhidrosis includes injections in a grid-like pattern in the treatment area. This can take a little longer than cosmetic BOTOX injections because of the necessary injection pattern. 

Normally, when treating two symmetric body areas, it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour at most. Therefore, with the use of topical numbing agents, you should remain perfectly comfortable and awake during the procedure. 

After

When Dr. Jonov finishes the BOTOX injections, you can return to your daily life and activities immediately. As the areas hyperhidrosis affects are typically sensitive, you may experience some discomfort. Usually, it can be adequately managed with over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol. However, you should avoid Aspirin and Ibuprofen because they can worsen or cause bruising.

It will take some time for the BOTOX injections to stop your excessive sweating. On average, BOTOX for hyperhidrosis patients experience an improvement in their symptoms in about a week. Although some may see results in as little as a few days and others it may take up to two weeks. 

BOTOX injections do carry some minor side effects like pain, tenderness, redness, and bruising at the injection site. Some BOTOX for hyperhidrosis patients experience minor muscle weakness following treatment. This should wear off within a few days, if you experience it at all.

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FOLLOWING BOTOX INJECTIONS

Over the next few days, any side effects will begin to subside and usually within a week you can expect results. It can take longer for some people. Much like the cosmetic applications of BOTOX, you will need to get the injections refreshed every few months. Everyone metabolizes BOTOX differently and so results are expected to last between three to six months in most cases. 

If you find that BOTOX wears off too quickly for you, Dysport and XEOMIN can be used for hyperhidrosis as well. Likewise, some patients find that these options may last longer for them. 

As mentioned before, BOTOX and neurotoxins do not completely cut off movement or activity of the treated areas. A qualified injector like those at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery knows how to reduce the activity of the sweat glands without harming the muscles or making it totally impossible to sweat.

THE LEADER OF BELLEVUE BOTOX FOR HYPERHIDROSIS

BOTOX for hyperhidrosis is a medical treatment that requires a medical professional to administer. At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Craig Jonov has two decades of experience in performing BOTOX injections for cosmetic and medical reasons. He uses gentle, precise techniques that target your sweat glands and the treated area. Along with artful injections, Dr. Jonov can guide you through your BOTOX for hyperhidrosis journey. Most of the time, BOTOX is not the first treatment attempted for hyperhidrosis. As a result, it can be a frustrating and stressful process.

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery upkeeps a warm and welcoming environment for your BOTOX for hyperhidrosis treatment. Also, you can enjoy hot coffee, tea, water, and cookies in our lobby. With on-site parking and a private suite, The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery places your safety and comfort first.

Dr. Craig Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, serves Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland. To schedule a consultation, call us at 425-775-3561 or contact us online using the form above.