BOTOX® for Severe Underarm Sweating | BOTOX® Web site
Most commonly known as a cosmetic treatment for facial lines, creases and wrinkles, BOTOX® (botulinum toxin) has also been found to be an effective remedy for alleviating excessive underarm perspiration when topical agents don't work.
BOTOX® can control this condition, clinically known as hyperhidrosis, by temporarily blocking chemical signals from the nerves that normally stimulate the sweat glands.
A treatment takes only a few minutes and is administered under the arm via a series of small injections. The number of treatments required will depend on the doctor's assessment of your condition.
You should notice a significant reduction in underarm sweating within one to four weeks—or, quite possibly, even sooner—and the results should last for approximately six months before another treatment is needed.
Just like in cosmetic applications, BOTOX® for severe underarm sweating is FDA-approved.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons—to enhance your appearance and your self confidence. Chemical peels may also remove pre-cancerous skin growths, lighten age spots and sun spots, repair photodamage, soften acne facial scars, and even control acne.
Chemical peels involve the use of high and low concentrations of various acids to reduce fine wrinkles, blotchy pigment spots, rough skin, and even some types of acne. Chemical peels noticeably smooth the skin's surface, and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. They also work to enhance the effect of topical anti-aging and acne medications. Typically, a series of three to six chemical peels are performed, two to four weeks apart, to achieve the desired result. To maintain the results, chemical peels are performed once every two to three months.
The advantage of having a series of superficial peels is that they can accomplish the same result as deeper peels with a minimum of discomfort and a shorter recovery period. In fact, after superficial peels, you can go to work with only slight redness and peeling in most cases. However, sometimes deeper peels are needed for a person with a great amount of sun damage. The doctor will discuss the options with you.
Swan Dermatology Center currently offers three different types of superficial chemical peels:
- Glycolic acid, a derivative of sugar cane, is used in concentrations ranging from 20-70% for visible results with little to no down time. Glycolic peels gently resurface the skin to reveal smoother, younger looking skin and help improve texture and pigmentation.
- The β-LIFTx® peel is a 5-minute skin renewal treatment that features the popular beta hydroxyacid, and is offered only by a dermatologist. The β-LIFTx® treatment lifts dead, dull cells off the surface of your skin, and stimulates a "burst of renewal" within your skin to bring healthy, young, living cells to the surface. The results are smoother, softer, more radiant skin. Even acne scars and enlarged pores may become less visible. The β-LIFTx® peel requires no recuperation.
- TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels are slightly more aggressive than glycolic and β-LIFTx® peels. Used for superficial- to medium-depth peels, they are often called "freshening peels" because they effectively create a fresh, natural complexion, while preserving the normal skin color. TCA peels can improve a number of conditions, including dull and weathered skin, blotchy pigmentation, sun damage, wrinkles, and superficial acne scars.
Dr. Swan or her nurse Cheryl Foley will help you decide which type of chemical peel is right for you, based on the type of skin conditions you hope to improve, the speed in which you expect to see results, and the amount of peeling that is acceptable to you. They can help you set realistic expectations and design a treatment regimen that is best suited to meeting your needs.
