Injection of botulinum toxin (better known as Botox®, but also marketed under other brands such as Dysport® or Bocouture®) is now a reference treatment for excessive sweating, or localized hyperhidrosis.
It is used in both aesthetic and functional medicine to block the activity of sweat glands in specific areas: underarms, palms, soles of the feet, or even the face (notably the forehead and temples).
Its efficacy is well established, with an 80 to 90 % reduction in sweating within a few days, and an average duration of effect of 6 to 9 months. This medical treatment significantly improves patients’ quality of life. But one question often arises : how much does it cost ?
The treatment of hyperhidrosis with Botox requires a precise medical evaluation. The price can therefore vary according to several objective criteria.
The treated area : the cost of hyperhidrosis treatment mainly depends on the area to be treated and the amount of botulinum toxin required. The underarm region is the most commonly treated area : this technique offers excellent, long-lasting, and well-tolerated results. In practice, a session for this indication generally requires two vials, divided equally between both sides.
Treatment of the hands is also possible, but it is often more technical. This area is more sensitive, sometimes uncomfortable to treat, and may require a larger amount of product. One must also consider the rare but existing risk of temporary muscle weakness, which requires careful evaluation before any injection.
The feet can also be treated effectively, although this location is less frequently requested. Plantar hyperhidrosis is perceived as less bothersome in daily life by many patients, except in severe cases.
Finally, the face can be treated in a targeted manner, particularly the forehead or scalp. In these areas, excessive sweating can have a real social or professional impact. The treatment, which requires great precision, is adapted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the intensity of symptoms and patient expectations.
The amount of botulinum toxin injected : the cost of treatment is proportional to the required dose. Unlike aesthetic treatments (where small amounts are used to smooth a wrinkle), hyperhidrosis requires therapeutic doses, generally between two and four vials depending on the area. The higher the dose, the higher the cost of the session.
The doctor and the place of practice : the price can also vary depending on whether the treatment is performed by an experienced physician, in a private office or in a clinic, in a large city like Geneva, where fees reflect the local cost of living and overheads.
This price includes the initial consultation, clinical analysis of sweating, the Minor test if necessary (iodine test to map sweating), the injections themselves, as well as post-treatment follow-up.
In Geneva, prices remain relatively consistent from one doctor to another. Here is a realistic estimate of the fees charged.
The treatment of the underarms (bilateral), which is the most frequently treated area, costs on average between 700 and 1000 CHF per session. For the hands, whose treatment is more technical due to sensitivity and functional implications, the fees generally range between 800 and 1200 CHF.
Plantar hyperhidrosis (feet) is managed in a similar manner, with rates comparable to those for the hands, between 800 and 1200 CHF. Finally, areas of the forehead or scalp, treated less frequently but sometimes highly disabling socially or professionally, are generally priced between 600 and 800 CHF.
These prices include the medical conulenza, the technical procedure, the product used, and post-treatment follow-up. A personalized estimate is always provided during the first consultation, after a precise assessment of the patient’s needs and expectations.
These prices may vary depending on the type of toxin used, the brand, and the doctor’s technique.
In Switzerland, excessive sweating can be recognized as a disabling medical condition. However, coverage by health insurance remains very limited, or even nonexistent, especially in private facilities.
In practice, if the treatment is performed for strictly functional purposes (and not aesthetic), if a medical diagnosis of primary hyperhidrosis is established, and if first-line treatments (antiperspirants, iontophoresis) have failed, then a partial reimbursement request can be considered, depending on the health insurance provider and the file. However, this remains rare outside the hospital sector.
Outside of these cases, the treatment is the patient’s responsibility.
From a medical perspective as well as from patient feedback, the efficacy/cost ratio of Botox is considered very favorable. A single session provides several months of comfort, without sweat stains, sweaty hands, or social or professional discomfort. The procedure is quick, minimally painful, and does not require social downtime.
Patients frequently report a dramatic improvement in quality of life, regained freedom in clothing choices, and restored self-confidence.
By comparison, monthly expenses on antiperspirants, stained or damaged clothing, or repeated treatments can add up to a higher cumulative cost over the year — without providing the same results.
When patients discuss the price of hyperhidrosis treatment with botulinum toxin, a common observation emerges after the first session: the cost is perceived as high, but justified in light of the results achieved.
It is an investment that, for many, transforms their daily life, sometimes dramatically, after years of silent discomfort. The fee does not simply correspond to an injection or a technical procedure, but to an immediate and measurable reduction of a functional disability.
Most patients consulting for excessive sweating have already tried everything: over-the-counter antiperspirants, natural products, technical clothing, hygiene tricks.
Often, they arrive at the consultation feeling exhausted, with a sense of resignation: “I only wear black. I always check if my underarms are dry. I avoid in-person meetings.”
When Botox treatment succeeds in stopping this discomfort for several months, the relief is immediate: “I am no longer afraid to raise my arms. I feel comfortable in my clothes. It’s like a mental burden lifted.”
In this context, the treatment price is no longer perceived as a “comfort” procedure, but as a return to normality.
Many patients also discover that the treatment does not need to be repeated frequently. The result of a well-performed session lasts 6 months, sometimes longer.
Unlike aesthetic treatments that need to be repeated fairly often (anti-wrinkle injections, regular skincare), botulinum toxin for hyperhidrosis provides prolonged benefits without heavy maintenance.
Finally, the quality/price ratio is often considered very favorable because the results go beyond the physical aspect. It is not just about having dry underarms or less sweaty hands. It is about regaining social ease and peace of mind.
Many patients report a positive impact on their self-confidence, posture at work, and relational comfort: “I no longer hide. I am no longer constantly anticipating. I have regained spontaneity.” These benefits cannot be quantified in Swiss francs, but they are significant in the overall appreciation of the treatment. In this context, the cost becomes secondary compared to the tangible improvement in quality of life.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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