What is excessive sweating?

Perspiration is a completely natural phenomenon that enables the human body to control its temperature. It produces sweat when its temperature rises in hot weather, when we have a fever, or during sport, in order to cool the body. Sweat also plays a protective role against external aggressors such as bacteria and pollen. It enables the body to retain its natural moisture. Other factors, such as intense emotion (stress, fear), can also encourage sweating.

Everyone perspires to a greater or lesser degree, depending on a number of criteria. In the majority of cases, sweat is composed mainly of water, so it generates very little odor. However, it can become odorous when it comes into contact with bacteria on the skin.

Excessive sweating is also known as hyperhidrosis or hypersudation. It corresponds to sweating in abnormally high quantities in a specific area of the body (such as the armpits, hands, feet, nape of the neck…) or in a generalized manner (although generalized hyperhidrosis is rarer). It is linked to abnormal activity of the sweat glands, which are over-stimulated and produce excess sweat.

Hyperhidrosis can be aggravated by a number of factors, including the use of certain medications, stress or anxiety, hormonal imbalance, hereditary background, underlying disease or pregnancy.

From a medical point of view, it has no serious consequences, but it can encourage the onset of skin disorders (mycosis, warts, etc.). On the other hand, hyperhidrosis has a strong psychological impact on sufferers, as it is very debilitating on a daily basis.

How do I know if I have hyperhidrosis?

It can sometimes be difficult to know when sweating is normal and when it’s excessive. However, there are signs that may point to this pathology:

• Your hands are so clammy that you can’t perform everyday tasks;
• Some parts of your clothing, in contact with areas of excessive sweat, turn yellow or wear out quickly;
• You feel the need to shower or change clothes several times a day.

How does botulinum toxin work to treat hyperhidrosis in aesthetic medicine?

Botox injections are ideal for treating localized hyperhidrosis. The surgeon injects botulinum toxin into the target area, such as the armpits or hands, to prevent the sweat glands from producing sweat.

The session takes place in the doctor’s office and lasts around twenty minutes. Anesthetic cream can be applied to increase patient comfort. Several sessions may be necessary to achieve complete botox coverage and optimal results.

The botox will then gradually reabsorb from the body. New injections will be required to maintain the treatment’s effectiveness.

Is treatment of hyperhidrosis recommended during pregnancy?

Although botox is recognized as a safe treatment, it is contraindicated in pregnant and breast-feeding women. This is above all a precautionary measure, as no scientific study has yet demonstrated that botox passes into the placenta during pregnancy. The same applies to breast-feeding infants.

As with any aesthetic medical procedure, it is therefore preferable to wait until the pregnancy has been carried to term, and the breast-feeding period is over, before performing botulinum toxin injections.