BOTOX® Treatment for Increased Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

A Potentially Life Changing Experience

"It's a big difference now. I can shake hands. My social life was terrible because I was nervous. I always had to be careful with papers I was holding. They would get ruined quickly. All you can think about is your sweaty hands. It's priceless. My daughter always wanted to hold my hand when we were walking, but I avoided it. Now we can walk holding hands."

-- A teacher, 3 weeks after our California BOTOX® treatment

Approximately 1% of the population is affected by significant excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), usually affecting the palms, the armpits, the soles of the feet, and sometimes the face. Hyperhidrosis is an embarrassing complaint and significantly interferes with many daily activities. Clothing becomes damp and unsightly and must be changed several times a day. Wet skin folds are prone to irritating rashes. It is embarrassing to shake hands and it is difficult to write neatly. Sweaty feet develop an unpleasant smell, ruin footwear and are prone to rashes or secondary infection. Those with foot involvement often have to change socks several times a day. A study of 346 patients with increased sweating, published in the journal Dermatology in 2006, concluded that hyperhidrosis is a serious medical condition, affecting work productivity, daily activities, emotional well-being and personal relationships. Antiperspirants are the first-line treatments for hyperhidrosis, but these frequently fail.

BOTOX® has now been approved for the treatment of this condition, and has been found to be both safe and effective. It appears that this type of sweating is caused by overactivity of the nervous system. It often starts in childhood or adolescence, and other family members may be similarly affected. Frequently no precipitating cause can be identified, but anxiety often makes it worse, and people with this problem are very frequently anxious that others will notice their problem and be repelled by it. A hot environment can also make things worse.

Because of this problem, people often shun social contact. The perspiration may rapidly penetrate through clothing, and frequently the repeated soakings ruin the clothing, necessitating frequent clothing purchases at considerable expense. Patient's hands may, at times, drip with perspiration, making working with paper and touching other people difficult or psychologically unacceptable.

How does BOTOX® relieve hyperhidrosis?

BOTOX® acts on the sweat glands to block the release of a chemical that stimulates the glands to produce sweat. The BOTOX® effect begins within a few days and, in the majority of people, lasts between 7 to 12 months. A study at Saint Louis University Medical School showed that BOTOX® continued to be effective with repeated treatments, and patients in the study reported that they were much more satisfied with their ability to perform their current job, felt significantly less "emotionally damaged or injured" and felt significantly less limited in their interpersonal and social situations.

Does BOTOX® treatment hurt?

Because of the areas involved in the overproduction of sweat, many people are concerned about the possible pain of treatment. Previously we had to inject local anesthetic into the wrists or ankles to produce anesthesia of the skin. Frequently these injections were only partially effective. Now, due to the development of new techniques, we are able to avoid anesthetic injections and treat all areas with BOTOX® with very minimal discomfort.

How long do BOTOX® treatments last?

While BOTOX® used for wrinkle reduction generally lasts about 3 months initially, BOTOX® for hyperhidrosis frequently lasts between 6 and 12 months.

Does insurance cover BOTOX® treatment for hyperhidrosis?

While the Food & Drug Administration has approved BOTOX® for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, and while hyperhidrosis is a significant problem for many people, we have found it impossible to get adequately reimbursed by insurance companies for this treatment. If you think that your insurance will cover this treatment, we will give you a prescription for a bottle of BOTOX®. When you bring in the bottle, we will administer the BOTOX® for an administration fee, which you would have to pay out of pocket.

Is it possible to get a reduced price on BOTOX® for hyperhidrosis?

Yes. Because of the relatively large quantities of BOTOX® used to treat hyperhidrosis, and because we regard this as a significant medical problem, we give a 25% discount off our already low BOTOX® prices when we are treating hyperhidrosis.

If you are interested in BOTOX® treatments for hyperhidrosis, what is the next step?

The next step is to call California Skin & Laser Center at 800-500-5842 and schedule an evaluation. At that time Dr. Bock will advise you whether you are a candidate for this procedure, and what other possibilities exist for improving your appearance.

Why should you choose California Skin & Laser Center for your hyperhidrosis treatments?

At California Skin & Laser Center, we want you to have an excellent outcome and to feel that your needs and concerns have been promptly addressed in a caring and sensitive fashion. We strive diligently to ensure your satisfaction, your comfort, your privacy, and your safety. All treatments are supervised or performed by a board-certified dermatologist with many years of successful experience in a large variety of cosmetic procedures. Many treatment modalities are available, and we can recommend the one or two that are most likely to meet your needs; we're here to meet your needs and help you realize your aspirations. At our clinic in Stockton, CA, we serve communities throughout San Joaquin County and the Central Valley, including Lodi, Sacramento, Tracy, Manteca, Modesto, Galt, and Valley Springs; many of our patients also come from the San Francisco Bay Area.