TREATING EXCESSIVE SWEATING : BOTOX BEFORE/AFTER RESULTS

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Treat excessive sweating : Botox

Excessive sweating, called hyperhidrosis, affects a large number of people, although it is often ignored or minimized. It appears in localized areas (underarms, hands, feet, face), sometimes generalized, and can become a daily handicap. Every day, many patients seek durable and effective solutions to regain their clothing comfort and peace of mind. Among the available treatments, botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections stand out for their efficacy and good tolerance.

Before the treatment : overwhelming symptoms

• Unpredictable sweating : the most striking feature of hyperhidrosis is its spontaneous nature, with patients sweating without excessive heat, physical effort, or sometimes even at complete rest. This phenomenon constantly surprises them, increasing their discomfort. A simple moment of stress or prolonged concentration can trigger heavy sweating.
• Constant bodily discomfort : physically, hyperhidrosis manifests as large sweat stains on clothing, often from the morning; sweaty hands, making it difficult to use a phone, grasp objects, or shake hands; a persistent, uncomfortable feeling of moisture, leading to multiple daily washes; slippery feet in shoes, causing discomfort and maceration. This constant sweating also exposes patients to secondary problems: irritations, skin eruptions, bacterial or fungal growth, and in some cases, stubborn body odor despite impeccable hygiene.
• Social and psychological suffering : the most insidious aspect of hyperhidrosis, before treatment, lies in its psychological consequences: fear of being judged for odor or appearance; constant anticipation (clothing choices, avoiding physical contact); professional discomfort (stress when presenting a document, typing, or shaking hands). What patients describe is not only excessive sweating, but a form of functional isolation: they adapt their daily life to hide or avoid their symptom.

After the treatment : symptoms that disappear

The results of localized hyperhidrosis treatment with botulinum toxin are well documented and often spectacular. The product works by temporarily blocking the nerve signal to the sweat glands, which stops sweat production in the targeted area.
In most cases, the effect of the treatment appears between the 3rd and 5th day, reaching its full effect around the 10th to 14th day.
For the patient, the difference compared to the period before treatment is clear and immediate, both physically and in terms of quality of life.
Here is a detailed description according to the treated areas.

Underarms : in patients treated for axillary hyperhidrosis, the results are often perceived as a true relief. In just a few days, excessive sweating decreases significantly, even in stressful situations. Sweat stains disappear, clothing can once again be chosen freely, without constraints on color, cut, or material, and repeated showers are no longer necessary. The feeling of freshness and cleanliness becomes constant, natural, and lasting. This relief is often expressed simply and spontaneously by patients. As one of them summarizes : “I can raise my arms without thinking. Before, even in winter, I felt like I was sweating under a sweater. Today, I don’t even think about it anymore.”
Hands : in patients suffering from palmar hyperhidrosis, botulinum toxin injections provide clear and lasting relief. The hands become dry to the touch, without the constant feeling of moisture. Movements gain precision : objects no longer slip, cramps caused by tension disappear. This change has a direct impact on social life : meetings, handshakes, or presentations are no longer sources of worry. At work as well as in private life, confidence is restored. One patient simply testifies : “I stopped wiping my hands every ten minutes. I can finally sign a document without soaking the paper.”
Feet : plantar hyperhidrosis, although less often mentioned, can have significant daily repercussions. After treatment, patients report a clear improvement : shoes are better tolerated, odors disappear, and the skin regains balance. The reduction of irritations, friction, or fungal infections allows lasting comfort, especially during long days of walking or in closed shoes. As one patient expresses : “I no longer change shoes twice a day. I come home without having to wash my feet immediately.”

Forehead, scalp : for patients affected by excessive sweating on the forehead or scalp, the effects of the treatment are often experienced as a subtle but essential relief. The forehead stays dry, even in heat or stress. Makeup no longer runs, lasts all day, and the complexion appears clearer, fresher, and more matte. This comfort restores ease in social interactions, particularly important in certain professional environments.
One patient summarizes her experience as follows : “I no longer wipe my forehead at the office. My makeup stays in place. And above all, I no longer feel embarrassed in conversations.”

Long-lasting and well-tolerated results

The effect of a session lasts approximately 6 months, depending on the area, the injected dose, and individual responsiveness. The product does not cause dependency, and side effects are rare, temporary, and localized.
No compensatory sweating is observed, unlike with certain invasive surgical treatments. Botox acts locally, without affecting the body’s nervous system.

Progress over time : sensations at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

The results of hyperhidrosis treatment with botulinum toxin evolve over time, and this timeline is often described in detail by patients.

At 2 weeks, rapid and tangible relief : from the very first days, the majority of patients notice a decrease in sweating in the treated area. Some observe gradual changes as early as the 3rd or 4th day, but it is around the second week that the effect is most evident. This moment is often experienced as a quiet yet highly significant turning point. The patient rediscovers simple sensations : wearing a light-colored top without prior checking ; greeting without wiping their hands ; staying focused without thinking about sweating ; walking long distances without feeling their feet slip inside their shoes. This period is also marked by a sense of calm amazement : many did not expect such a rapid effect, especially after years of unsuccessful attempts with standard products.
At 3 months, stabilization of results : at this stage, the results are generally perfectly stabilized. The patient no longer perceives the treated area as a point of concern. The treatment has become part of their routine : they no longer think about it, and that is precisely what brings relief. Sweating is absent or reduced to such a low level that it no longer causes any discomfort. Some also report a reduction in compensatory behaviors (spare clothing, excessive use of wipes, social withdrawal). This perspective allows them to realize how much sweating used to control their lives.
At 6 months, return of symptoms : around the 5th or 6th month, some patients begin to notice very slight signs of sweating resuming, mainly in situations of stress, heat, or physical activity. This return is neither sudden nor generalized, but it marks the progressive end of the effect. The majority of patients, satisfied with the experience, choose to repeat the treatment regularly, every 6 months.

Article written by Dr Romano Valeria

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