Botox for Sweaty Hands
Did you know that Botox® can be used to treat sweaty hands and armpits? Hyperhidrosis is the name given to excessive sweating. Often, people have this condition involving the armpits (axilla) or palms. The first line of treatment is antiperspirants in the axilla, such as Certain-Dri®. This is an over-the-counter anti-perspirant, and it tends to work well for the armpits.
However, the palms are more difficult to treat with antiperspirants. The problem with sweaty palms is that it can also be embarrassing in social and professional settings when shaking hands with people. Try landing that deal leaving a puddle of your DNA on your client’s sleeve.
Sweaty Hands
Sweaty hands can also be perceived as a sign of nervousness. In addition, it is often difficult to work daily with excessive sweat in your hands. It may even be unsafe to deal with manual labor or jobs using heavy equipment. And, it may be cumbersome and affect agility when performing a job that requires fine motor skills of the fingers and hand. Although Botox® is commonly known to reduce wrinkles, a lot of people do not know it has a very large role in treating these sweaty conditions. Typically, the amount of Botox® needed for the palms is about 50 units to start. This is considered a higher dose than what is typically used on the forehead.
Botox® Dosing
To put things into comparison, 50 units per palm or 100 units for both hands is typically twice the amount we place in the forehead and crow’s feet. To that end, Botox® for sweaty palms and armpits generally costs more than for wrinkle reduction of the forehead and crow’s feet.
The good news is, Botox® for sweaty palms and armpits lasts longer for the effect than for wrinkle reduction. The injections in the hand can be painful without the use of topical lidocaine, nerve blocks, or topical numbing creams or ice.
Care and Results with Botox® for Hyperhidrosis
In addition, one must consider the profession of the person undergoing Botox® for sweaty palms. A violinist and pianist require fine motor skills of the hands. They may not wish to undergo this procedure just preceding a performance, as the sweat glands from Botox® that are deactivated sit very close to the muscles of the thumb and fingers. It is not terribly uncommon to have some mild weakness in the fingers for a couple of weeks following this procedure. Botox® can affect performance.
Hyperhidrosis of the palms is a treatable condition. Botox® in the proper amount for the right person can prove to be effective.
For more on Botox®, click here.
Dr. Tim Neavin is a board-certified plastic surgeon located in Beverly Hills, California.
