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What causes underarm sweating?
Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is caused by stimulation of the
sweat glands by nerve endings which descend from higher centers in the
brain. These nerves respond to emotional stresses; like intimate social
situations, public speaking, physical stresses, and increased body temperature
that comes with exercise or hot humid weather.
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photos of Dr. Binstock's patients**
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Botox® Cosmetic Don't Sweat
"Starch Iodine Test" shows sweating diminsihed
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Most people with excessive sweating are bothered primarily
when they are emotionally stressed, physically active, or over-heated.
Botox® can prevent sweating for months by blocking the release of
the neurotransmitter, i.e., acetylcholine, from the nerve endings, that
causes the glands to produce sweat.
What are alternative treatments?
Deodorants and antiperspirants.
Aluminum chloride hexahydrate and salts are used in topical antiperspirant
sticks, creams, lotions and solutions. These prevent sweating by clogging
the sweat ducts in the skin. These products can be irritating with continued
use and are largely ineffective in people with excessive sweating.
Anticholinergic drugs and tranquilizers.
Oral medications currently used often provide relief but can cause dry
mouth and blurry vision. Tranquilizers may minimize one's anxiety, but
do little to diminish actual sweating.
Tap Water Iontophoresis.
Battery-powered electrical devices that use water, consist of a moist
pad and a prickly electrical current held against skin for several hours.
Although they decrease sweating in some people, they are time consuming
and they need to be repeated on a daily or a weekly basis. Iontophoresis
is mildly effective for severe cases.
Surgery.
Surgical alternatives include cutting the sweat glands from the skin of
the underarms, therein leaving visible scars and permanent numbness of
the skin for decreased sweating. Neurosurgeons now use a fiberoptic surgical
tube, to cut nerves in the neck which lead to the axillary sweat glands,
i.e. endoscopic sympathectomy. This approach includes the risk of possible
nerve damage to structures in the neck which can result in paralysis of
the arm, loss of sensation, and permanent dilation of the pupil of the
eye. Cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists have attempted to scrape the
underside of the axillary skin with liposuction cannulas to remove sweat
glands and the results had been mixed.
How is Botox® given?
Fifteen to twenty drops of Botox® are injected via a very small needle
into the hair-bearing skin of each underarm. Normal activity can be immediately
resumed, while heavy exercise should be avoided for several hours.
When will Botox® take effect?
Underarm sweating will be decreased by 90% within 48 hours and full effect
will be seen within one week. There may be simultaneous disappearance
of odor associated with decreased sweating, but this is not consistent.
How long does Botox® last?
Most patients will obtain the benefit of dryness with one treatment of
Botox® for six to ten months.
What are the risks and complications?
Complications from injection into the axillary skin include tiny bruises
which fade in a few days, and small persistent areas of sweating that
may need a second treatment. There is no risk of numbness or permanent
change in the axillary skin, and the risk of temporary muscle weakness
is remote.
Who are good candidates for Botox®
Don't Sweat?
- Anyone with an increased or problem of underarm
sweating.
- Anyone who worries about sweating through their
clothes.
- Anyone who would like to wear fine fabrics, sleeveless
shirts and blouses, or who would like to take their jacket off.
- Anyone working in close contact with others such
as hairstylists, nurses, physicians, dentists, hygienists, and flight
attendants.
- Anyone working in hot conditions, such as models,
television personalities and chefs.
- Anyone making public presentations, including:
executives, attorneys, and salesmen.
Botox® Don't Sweat is the answer
for problem sweating!
If you are interested in learning more about Botox® Don't Sweat,
please contact our office at (415) 956-8686 in San Francisco or (415)
383-5475 in Mill Valley.
Any and all references to Botox® refer
to Botox® Purified Neurotoxin Complex which is a registered trademark
of Allergan Laboratories, Inc.
Botox® Purified Neurotoxin Complex is
an FDA approved medication for various kinds of muscle spasms and spastic
rigidity, but has not be specifically approved for treatment of hyperhidrosis
or wrinkling. The FDA recognizes the common practice among physicians
to use FDA approved drugs and "off-label" uses, particularly in diseases
and conditions for which there are limited alternatives.
** Benefits depicted are actual and
not retouched.
Patient results may vary. Each set of photos reflects the benefit realized
by the person in that set of photos, and not necessarily the viewers final
results.
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