Hyperhidrosis is characterized by unnaturally excessive sweating that is not usually brought on by either heat or physical activity. Your body may produce so much sweat that it soaks through your clothes or splatters off your hands. This heavy perspiration can induce social anxiety and embarrassment, in addition to disrupting normal daily activities.
Botox, most commonly associated with reducing wrinkles in cosmetic procedures, is also an exceptionally efficient treatment for focal hyperhidrosis. Injections of botulinum toxin, which are used in treating hyperhidrosis with botox, block the nerve signals responsible for sweating, thereby preventing the sweat glands from generating excessive sweat.
As the nerves regenerate, follow-up treatment is typically required between four and six months later. On the other hand, patients can experience longer intervals between treatments as time goes on.
However, before you consider Botox treatment for hyperhidrosis, you might want to consider its risks before trying it.
Botox Uses Botulinum Toxin
Botox is a drug that is administered via injection and is made from botulinum toxin type A. The bacterium Clostridium botulinum is responsible for the production of this toxin.
While this is the exact toxin that causes botulism—a form of food poisoning that can be fatal—the effects of this toxic substance can vary greatly depending on the dose and level of exposure one receives. As an illustration, Botox is only injected in minimal and specific amounts.
Botox prevents signals from traveling from nerves to muscles after being injected into a patient. This prevents the focused muscles from contracting, which can alleviate certain muscular circumstances and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, this inhibits the targeted muscles from developing new lines and wrinkles.
The same happens for hyperhidrosis. Botox inhibits some signals from reaching your sweat glands, reducing perspiration significantly.
How Safe Is Botox Treatment?
Small doses of botulinum toxin, such as those used in Botox, are considered risk-free even though the toxin itself poses a fatal risk.
Between 1989 and 2003, only 36 of the potentially harmful effects associated with cosmetics were confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thirteen of these issues may have been caused more by the health condition that was already present than by the drug that was being taken.
While 36 may seem a lot, remember that this is among millions of Botox patients that use the treatment each year. So the statistics for complications are meager. Less than zero percent if you calculate 36 among the millions.
Several researchers believe that cosmetic applications of Botox may pose a lower risk than therapeutic drug injections because the doses used in the former are typically much lower.
According to another study in 2005, therapeutic use was associated with an increased risk of reporting adverse effects, like those for hyperhidrosis treatment. This could be because of the underlying condition or because the health condition requires higher doses of medication to treat. Either explanation is possible.
Recent Research
A research study conducted in 2021 concluded that some people who were given Botox injections experienced the following:
pain in the injected area
skin discolorations
swelling
superficial reddening of the skin
drooping eyelid or brow
Many of these adverse effects were mild and only lasted for a short period. Generally, medical experts agree that Botox is a safe treatment for cosmetic and medical applications.
When getting Botox injections, you should only ever have them done by an experienced and licensed provider. If your injections are not prepared following the standards set by the FDA or if they are administered to you by a healthcare professional who lacks experience, you have a greater chance of experiencing unwanted side effects.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should hold off on receiving Botox treatment. Since there aren’t many comprehensive studies on how Botox affects expectant or nursing mothers, it’s best to avoid getting it if you fall into either of those categories.
Botox Side Effects
While we have proven Botox is considered to have a low risk of severe adverse effects; however, some mild discomfort has been reported. Here are some side effects reported with Botox treatment:
chills
fever
headache
swelling, pain, or bruising at the injection sites
Similarly, these undesirable effects will only last for a short time. When considering Botox as a treatment for hyperhidrosis, remember to be prepared for it. On the other hand, as your body gets used to receiving frequent Botox injections, you should experience fewer and fewer of these adverse effects.
It is improbable that the toxin will spread further than the treatment area and cause signs and symptoms similar to botulism. These signs and symptoms include difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, and slurred speech. There isn’t simply enough dose of botulinum toxin to cause botulism.
Are There Any Long-Term Consequences?
Since Botox’s effects are temporary, most people get multiple injections throughout their treatment. However, much research hasn’t been done on the topic of long-term safety and effectiveness.
A participant in a study that took place in 2015 evaluated the effects of receiving Botox injections every six months as part of a treatment regimen for bladder conditions. The researchers decided to limit the observation period to two years.
In the end, they concluded that there was no cumulative increase in the risk of adverse effects. People who received multiple injections throughout their treatment also had better long-term outcomes. Their bodies have adjusted to Botox and don’t experience as many side effects.
The Healthline website conducted research and analysis which substantiated every one of these studies.
Takeaway
If you are pondering about getting Botox treatment for your hyperhidrosis condition, you must do so under the oversight of a trained and certified medical expert.
Working with someone not licensed may be less expensive or more convenient but doing so can put you at more imminent risk of complications. Keep in mind that the effects of the toxin can last anywhere from three to six months, and you will likely require more than one treatment.
Side effects are always a possibility, regardless of the procedure. Talk with your provider about what you anticipate experiencing during the injection administration and the subsequent recovery period. They can answer your inquiries and consult your specific situation’s benefits and drawbacks.
So, if you are interested in addressing hyperhidrosis through Botox, contact our clinic, Venustas Immortalis. Our clinic offers diverse treatment services that can help address our patients’ aesthetic and wellness concerns.