Our dermatology clinics have seen a significant number of patients seeking Botox treatment for excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis.
A research study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (March 2008) compared Botox with topical treatments using aluminum chloride for treatment of hyperhidrosis. In a clinical trial, 25 patients were given topical treatment and 25 were given Botox. The authors reported, “At week 4, 92% of the subjects in the Botox group achieved treatment response compared with 33% of the subjects in the AC group.”
The researchers concluded that Botox was “superior” to topical agents for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, but also revealed that “treatment with aluminum chloride was effective and tolerated in 29% of patients.” So Botox is by no means the only option; there are other products available that may be less expensive and potentially helpful in providing relief. However, if you have already tried several products and have not seen significant changes in your excessive sweating, we do suggest therapeutic treatment with Botox.
We have proposed 2 treatment levels for this therapy. From experience we know that a vial (100 units) of Botox is maximum dosage used in each underarm, palm of hand, or sole of foot. However, we also recognize that 1/2 of this dosage (50 units) is quite effective as well.
Unfortunately, we’ve found that few patients are getting insurance coverage for using Botox, despite the supporting research and FDA approval for this indication. We do offer CareCredit financing options and competitive pricing. For more information, contact Skin Speaks/Advancements in Dermatology.
