Primary axillary hyperhidrosis is a complicated name for a simple problem: severe underarm sweating. When underarm sweating is mild or moderate, it can most likely be treated with antiperspirants and deodorants. For many people, however, topical treatment isn't enough. That's why we're pleased to offer another option to our patients in Edmonton: BOTOX®. Believe it or not, BOTOX can actually be used to control excessive sweating.

Choose CosMedics

Many physicians administer BOTOX. But are they experienced enough to use BOTOX to treat hyperhidrosis? Often, the answer is "no." When it comes to Dr. Ashwani Singh at CosMedics, the answer is "yes." He is recognized as an advanced injector by Allergan (the maker of BOTOX) and trains other physicians about proper injection technique. In fact, he has been ranked #1 for BOTOX sales in Edmonton since 2006. You can trust him to perform your BOTOX treatment for hyperhidrosis safely and effectively.

Hyperhidrosis Basics

Hyperhidrosis is caused by overactive sweat glands. Sweat is supposed to act as a temperature regulator for your body. In the case of hyperhidrosis, the sweating is far beyond what is necessary to cool you down. That excessive sweating can have an impact on your lifestyle and your self-esteem. Deciding what to wear can be difficult, and no matter how carefully you choose your outfit, it may not be possible to avoid obvious armpit dampness.

To help you understand the impact underarm sweating is having on your daily activities, answer the following assessment. You may find it helpful to print out this self-assessment and bring it with you to your appointment for discussion.

My underarm sweating is:

• Never noticeable and never interferes with my daily activities.
• Tolerable but sometimes interferes with my daily activities.
• Barely tolerable and frequently interferes with my daily activities.
• Intolerable and always interferes with my daily activities.

This is known as the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS). Using this scale, as well as a thorough physical exam and medical history, Dr. Singh will diagnose hyperhidrosis. Once a diagnosis has been made, Dr. Singh will discuss the appropriate treatment options with you.

BOTOX for Hyperhidrosis

Most people are familiar with BOTOX Cosmetic as a treatment for wrinkles. So, how does it work as a treatment for hyperhidrosis? The active ingredient in BOTOX temporarily blocks the signals from nerves that stimulate sweat glands. These chemical signals are what cause the glands to produce sweat. If the glands don't receive the signals, they don't produce the excess sweat.

There are several important things to remember about BOTOX for hyperhidrosis. First, it is a temporary treatment. The procedure must be repeated periodically to maintain results. Second, treatment with BOTOX will not mean that sweat gets "backed up" or goes elsewhere. Instead, sweat is not produced at all in the treated areas while the rest of your body sweats as usual.