Hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating is a common condition affecting up to 3% of the population, and can result in significant occupational, emotional, psychological and physical impairment.
Botulinum toxin, the same protein used for anti-wrinkle injection, is a highly effective treatment for excessive sweating. It works by blocking the effects of nerve receptors that make the sweat glands (apocrine glands) produce sweat.
Most people will have 70-90% reduction in sweating. The effect can last 6-9 months or longer.
Re-injection is required to maintain the desired result and results vary from person to person.
FAQs
+ What is hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. Axillary hyperhidrosis refers to excessive underarm sweating, and palmar hyperhidrosis refers to excessive hand sweating, such as sweating when it’s not hot. People who sweat excessively often soak through their clothing or drip sweat and normal antiperspirants do not work well for this condition.
+ How do hyperhidrosis injections work?
The injection is a preparation of proteins that, when injected into the skin, blocks the signals from the nerves that supply the sweat glands from working excessively and this prevents them from producing so much sweat.
+ What do I need to do before coming in for the injections?
Please do not shave under your arms or use deodorant during the 24 hours prior to your appointment time if having treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. Shave at least 24 hours prior to treatment. Injections for excessive hand sweating do not require any special preparation.
+ How are the injections given?
The treatment involves firstly cleansing the skin with an antiseptic solution and applying a topical local anaesthetic. This will be followed by a series of small injections into the skin. The needles are very fine and the amount injected into each injection point is tiny. The whole procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.
+ Will I need to take extra care after the treatment?
You can resume normal activity immediately after the treatment but please refrain from using deodorant for at least 2 to 3 days if having underarm treatment.
+ Who should not have injection for hyperhidrosis?
Injections for axillary hyperhidrosis cannot be given to those who have allergy to the product, in areas where there is infection, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and individuals with medical conditions that lower their immune response or disorder such as myasthenia graves or Eaton Lambert syndrome.
Please notify us if you have a bleeding disorder or taking anticoagulant/ blood thinner drugs.
+ How long will the injections work for?
In hyperhidrosis, the injection helps to stop or greatly reduce the sweating. This will usually happen within two weeks of treatment and the results may last between 6 to 9 months.
+ What are the possible side-effects?
The most common side-effects are swelling, stinging and pain in the injection site, headache and hot flushes. Less common side-effects include nausea, itching, temporary muscle pain and weakness, joint stiffness and pain in the armpits.