Treat Hyperhidrosis with Botulinum Toxin A (Botox)
Botox for Hyperhidrosis
Botox is able to treat hyperhidrosis, a condition of excessive sweat. This is done by controlling the sweat gland and reducing sweat. Excessive sweat is a disorder characterized by excessive functioning of the sudomotor 'sweat control' system.
Hyperhidrosis can affect daily function and have negative psychosocial effects.
Sweat reduction can be achieved with botulinum toxin (Botox) injections and aims to restore function and mitigate the psychological and social impact from hyperhidrosis. The most common areas of Botox treatment for hyperhidrosis are the underarms and palms.
Similar to the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, the treatment is temporary and lasts for 3 to 4 months, varying between each individual. This is a fairly costly treatment as large amounts (more than the face) are required to treat all sweat glands in the area.
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What is Botox?
Botulinum Toxin A is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. While technically a brand name, Botox may refer to any injectable form of botulinum toxin type A. In Singapore, 3 types of Botulinum Toxin A are available, namely OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) and IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin).
Botox was first approved by the FDA in 1989 to treat muscle spasms and other disorders characterized by overactive muscle movement. In 2002, FDA approval extended to aesthetic therapeutic applications. Since then, Botox has been used safely and extensively in the treatment and prevention of fine lines and wrinkles of the face.
Botox works by blocking nerve signals within the targeted muscles where it is injected, leading to temporary muscle paralysis and relaxation. Small controlled doses of botulinum toxin have been safely utilized for many years to address various conditions such as muscle spasms, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and in the treatment and prevention of wrinkles. It is even used for bad migraine.
In its aesthetic applications, targeted relaxation of select facial and neck muscles create softening and reduction of some wrinkles. Minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles seen with facial expressions helps create a more youthful appearance.
The effects of Botox are temporary. The molecule is consumed (broken down) over time, which causes the visible effects of Botox treatment to wear off.
Properties of Botox
This is ideal as any unwanted side effects caused by the spread of Botox to surrounding non-target muscles would be reversible with time. For example, eyelid droop or asymmetry of the brows or mouth.
The effect of Botox is predictable. Botox has a dose-dependent relationship where the more units are injected into the target muscle, the stronger the effect on muscle paralysis.
This allows our doctor to customise the outcome based on the individual's preferences. For example, some may prefer to eliminate all dynamic facial lines, while others may prefer a natural effect where they wish to reduce the severity of lines, but preserve muscles of expression.
Botox injection is a quick and safe bedside procedure done in the clinic with little to no downtime.
Botox alone may not be enough in treating deep-set lines called "static lines", that have set in over the years and are present even at facial rest. In these cases, additional therapies may be needed.
Botox is suitable in treating fine lines and wrinkles, but more importantly in preventing them from forming. Fine lines and wrinkles that form with facial expression are called "dynamic lines". When Botox treatment is started early, these dynamic lines can be softened to prevent them from settling into "static lines".
Who is Suitable for Botox?
Botox, as previously discussed, has a wide variety of applications. Commonly treated conditions are mentioned above.
Botox treatments last 3-4 months, but with regular treatment, intervals between treatments may be prolonged to 6-9 months. Lines and wrinkles do not become worse after stopping Botox treatment.
