A. Botox can be a very effective treatment for those that suffer from axillary sweating (hyperhidrosis). It is typically saved as a last resort option for patients that have tried topical and oral treatments, such as Drysol and Robinul, and failed to achieve results from these conventional therapies. Patients can expect to have significant axillary sweat reduction for up to 6 months.
Q. How painful is Botox treatment?
A. Botox is a very tolerable procedure. In our office we use a topical lidocaine based numbing cream that we apply to patients about five to ten minutes before they are treated to make injections more tolerable. The needle used to inject Botox is very small and barely noticed during injections.
Q. If I used Botox for a number of years, do I stop needing it? Does my face "remember" it?
A. Botox should be considered a wrinkle maintenance treatment. In order to maintain results you will need to continue injections every three to six months. Botox relaxes the muscles in your face that cause static wrinkles from movement such as frowning, squinting and smiling. Patients may find that once their Botox wears off their muscles have been retrained to frown and squint less, giving the appearance of less wrinkles. But unfortunately, you will not achieve complete muscle atrophy through Botox injections. You may need less frequent injections, but you will always need to come back for continued Botox treatment to maintain your results.
Q. Can Botox injections cause health problems?
A. As with all medical procedures, it is important that you extensively explain your medical history, as well as any medications that you are taking, with your physician prior to undergoing treatment. Your physician will provide you with the Botox medication guide, as well as its FDA black box warning, to review before treatment. You and your physician will be able to decide if you are a good and safe candidate for Botox injections in order to limit any potential side effects associated with treatment.
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