Dr. Hootan Daneshmand
Botox Bakersfield and Orange County
Armpit Botox in Bakersfield, CA
When most people hear about Botox injections, they immediately think of facial wrinkle reduction. But did you know that Botox can treat a variety of medical conditions such as axillary hyperhidrosis? Axillary hyperhidrosis is characterized by overactive sweat glands in the armpits. More specifically, the condition is caused by overactive nerves that trigger excessive underarm sweating. Armpit Botox works by paralyzing these nerves, and therefore, reducing underarm sweat.
If you experience excessive sweating, body odor, and low self-confidence – and you’ve tried everything from prescription antiperspirants to medications – underarm Botox injections may be the right treatment for you. The Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute wants to help you achieve a better quality of life and higher self-confidence levels. We can do this through armpit Botox. Call 949-359-8397 to schedule an appointment with our clinic today.
What is Botox?
Botox injections contain a toxin called botulinum. This toxin stops the release of the neurotransmitter, called acetylcholine, from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction. In other words, botulinum toxin injections work by temporarily paralyzing muscles.
Botox injections are used for both medical and cosmetic purposes in multiple areas of the body. Most patients receive Botox treatments in order to reduce facial wrinkles and fine lines. But did you know Botox is an effective treatment for other things too, such as excessive sweating, migraines, and bladder control?
Why Do People Get Botox in Their Armpits?
People get underarm Botox injections in order to treat excessive underarm sweating, a condition called axillary hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a fairly rare condition that affects roughly 5% of the world’s population according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society. Severe underarm sweating can be managed with prescription antiperspirants, oral medications, natural supplements, dietary changes, and even surgery. In recent years, though, many experts have recognized the effectiveness of Botox for hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis doesn’t just cause excessive underarm sweat. Many people with this condition experience excessive sweating in many other areas of the body. Because of this, many people receive Botox treatment in not just their armpits, but in their palms, face, feet soles, under -breast area, and more.
How Does Armpit Botox Work for Sweating?
So how does armpit Botox treat excessive sweating?
People without axillary hyperhidrosis begin sweating when their body temperature rises. The nervous system will recognize the increase in body temperature, and then notify sweat glands to produce sweat in order to cool the body back down.
People with axillary hyperhidrosis have overactive nerves that trigger underarm sweating. This causes them to sweat a lot, often for no reason. So when hyperhidrosis sufferers receive underarm Botox treatments, these nerves that trigger severe sweating become paralyzed.
It’s important to note that Botox injections will only stop – or greatly reduce – sweating in the injection site. If a hyperhidrosis sufferer has excess sweating in multiple parts of the body, they may need to receive Botox injections all over the body. Be sure to speak with a medical professional when deciding the best Botox treatment areas for hyperhidrosis.
Armpit Botox Effectiveness
Underarm Botox treatments are incredibly effective for treating excessive sweating. In fact, Botox injections can reduce armpit sweat by 82% to 87% according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Armpit Botox Pros and Cons
If you’re going back and forth about receiving Botox injections for hyperhidrosis, no need to fear. Below, we list out the pros and cons of the treatment in order to make your decision easier.
- Botox for hyperhidrosis is a safe and effective treatment.
- Botox injections for treating excessive underarm sweating are FDA approved.
- There is very minimal downtime.
- Botox is a cheaper and less invasive alternative to surgery.
- There is very minimal pain, especially when topical numbing cream is used.
- Botox injections can reduce underarm sweating in as little as a few days.
- Botox for hyperhidrosis can be very expensive depending on your location. A site called RealSelf, where plastic surgery patients across the U.S. discuss the details of their procedures, says that the average cost of armpit Botox is $875. Health insurance may be able to partially cover the procedure because hyperhidrosis is a legitimate medical condition.
- Hyperhidrosis sufferers must get Botox injections every 7 to 16 months for best results.
- Injections may be more painful in other areas of the body such as the palms and feet.
- Botox is only FDA approved to control sweating in the armpits.
- Side effects are possible.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Botox for Hyperhidrosis
In order to prepare for armpit Botox, your board certified cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon will ask you to stop shaving your armpits a few days ahead of the treatment session. They will also ask you to stop taking blood thinners or aspirin ahead of the treatment session.
Your Botox appointment likely won’t last longer than 45 minutes. To begin, your doctor may give you a topical numbing cream, especially if you ask for it. Then, they will mark the treatment area with ink and begin injecting Botox right under the skin. Most hyperhidrosis patients receive 15 to 20 Botox injections per armpit. The injections will form a grid pattern.
Botox recovery is generally quick and painless. You can go back to work and resume most of your normal activities immediately. Your armpits may feel a bit tender for a few days. It is best to avoid deodorant or any body products with fragrance for 1 to 2 days in order to avoid irritation. Your doctor may also tell you to avoid vigorous exercise and hot baths for a couple days after your injections.
You will likely have to attend a follow up appointment about 2 weeks after your armpit Botox just to make sure the treatment is working and there aren’t any spots within the treatment area that need more Botox.
When Will I See Results From Armpit Botox?
Botox for hyperhidrosis begins working in as little as 2 to 4 days after injections. However, the Botox treatment may take up to 2 weeks to take full effect.
How Long Does Botox Prevent Armpits From Sweating?
The effects of botulinum toxin injections wear off with time, no matter the injection site. Depending on the severity of your axillary hyperhidrosis, you may need to get injections every 7 to 16 months. Be sure to create a specific Botox treatment plan with your doctor.
Armpit Botox Side Effects
Underarm Botox injections can lead to the following side effects including:
- Tenderness and bruising in the armpits
- Excessive bleeding in the armpits
- Skin irritation
- Little to no sensation in the armpit
Serious complications of Botox injections are extremely rare, but they can happen. That’s because the botulinum toxin causes a severe type of food poisoning called botulism. But Botox injections are carefully created in a lab. Scientists sterilize and dilute the toxin so that it can’t cause a botulism infection. Still, it rarely happens. If you experience the following symptoms after your Botox treatment, seek immediate medical treatment.
- Muscle weakness all over the body
- Difficulty breathing
- Blurred vision
- Fever
- Chills
How Much Does Botox Cost?
The price of Botox heavily depends on the treatment area, the amount of injections, your physical location, and your doctor’s experience level.
According to U.S. patients on RealSelf, Botox injections for facial wrinkles have an average cost of $575. But Botox for hyperhidrosis tends to be more expensive due to the amount of injections that patients need to treat excessive sweating. The average cost for armpit Botox, according to the same site, is about $875 on average.
Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by health insurance because they are considered elective procedures. This means that Botox treatments for facial wrinkles are generally not covered by health insurance. However, Botox for axillary hyperhidrosis may be covered by some types of health insurance because severe underarm sweating is a legitimate medical condition. Be sure to contact your health insurance to learn what medical conditions and treatments they will cover. Additionally, be sure to call the Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute for a specific price tag.
