Botox for sweating at a glance
- Session15 min (underarms)
- AnaesthesiaAnaesthetic cream
- Social downtimeNone
- First effectsFrom day 2
- Duration of effectAbout 6 months
- Price€400 to €600
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating, most often of the underarms, hands, feet or forehead. A Botox (botulinum toxin) injection blocks the nerve signal that controls the sweat glands: sweating and odour decrease from day 2, reach their maximum reduction at 1 month, and the effect lasts about 6 months. For the underarms, the session lasts 15 minutes at the practice in Cannes, under anaesthetic cream, with no social downtime. The hands and feet are treated under regional anaesthesia.
Price: €400 to €600 depending on the area.
What is excessive sweating?
Normally, a rise in body temperature stimulates the sweat glands of the skin, which produce sweat. In hyperhidrosis, this secretion is disrupted:
- primary hyperhidrosis, with no identifiable cause, affects the underarms, hands and feet;
- secondary hyperhidrosis is most often generalised or found in an unusual location: a cause should be looked for.
Botox is intended for primary hyperhidrosis, and also for people who sweat normally but would like more comfort in summer.
All areas
The areas most often treated; any area of the body can be treated. Tap an area to show it on its own.
How does Botox work on sweating?
Botulinum toxin type A blocks the chemical message from the nerve that stimulates the sweat gland: the gland stops secreting. It has been used since 1994 to treat excessive sweating of the underarms, hands, feet and forehead. It reduces sweating and odour for about 6 months.
Before: the nerve stimulates the gland and sweat rises to the pore.
Botox, iontophoresis or surgery?
| Botox | Iontophoresis | Sympathectomy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principle | Injection that blocks the nerve to the gland | Weak electric current through water | Surgical division of nerves in the chest |
| Areas | Underarms, forehead, hands, feet | Mainly hands and feet | Hands, underarms |
| Constraints | One session about every 6 months | Repeated sessions, a tedious treatment | Surgery under general anaesthesia |
| Performed by Dr Médard de Chardon | Yes | No | No |
Botox is the reference treatment for the underarms and forehead. For the hands and feet, it is reserved for sweating that does not respond to other properly conducted treatments. The Iontophoresis and Sympathectomy columns describe these treatments in broad terms.
Which areas can be treated?
Most often the forehead, underarms, hands and feet; but any area of the body can be treated (chest, etc.).
The underarms
This is the most common indication. The session lasts 15 minutes at the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes in Cannes, after an anaesthetic cream; the injections are only very slightly painful. The effect lasts about 6 to 7 months.
The forehead
The session lasts 10 minutes at the practice; the injections are only very slightly painful. The effect lasts about 6 months, and the Botox treats forehead lines at the same time.
The hands and feet
Treatment is reserved for sweating that does not respond to other treatments. It is carried out at the clinic, as day surgery (home the same day), or at the practice, under regional anaesthesia or under Kalinox (a relaxing gas). It can cause temporary weakness of the muscles of the hand or foot.
How does an injection work?
- ConsultationAt the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes in Cannes: areas concerned, search for a cause in the case of generalised sweating, contraindications.
- SessionAt the practice: 15 minutes for the underarms, 10 minutes for the forehead, after an anaesthetic cream; for the hands and feet, at the clinic or the practice under regional anaesthesia or Kalinox.
- Immediate returnTo social life; a new session when the sweating returns, about 6 months later.
What is the recovery like?
- Social life: immediate return; the injections are only very slightly painful.
- First effects from day 2; maximum effect at 1 month.
- Duration of effect: about 6 months (6 to 7 months for the underarms), on both sweating and odour.
Where will you be?
14 days after the session
What are the risks?
Side effects are rare and temporary: slight pain or a small bruise at the injection points; for the hands and feet, temporary muscle weakness; sometimes more noticeable sweating in other areas.
Contraindications: pregnancy, breastfeeding, myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and treatment with aminoglycosides (certain antibiotics).
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience
- Qualified plastic surgeon in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery; university diploma (DU) in injection and filler techniques (Université Paris VIII).
- A former Chef de Clinique (university hospital senior registrar), he taught anatomy at the Nice Faculty of Medicine.
- More than 7,000 Botox injections; practising in Cannes since 2011.
How much does a Botox injection for sweating cost in Cannes?
€400 to €600
Depending on the area treated. For excessive sweating of the underarms, French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie) covers part of the injection procedure; the balance may be reimbursed by your top-up health insurance (mutuelle), depending on your policy. Other indications for Botox and their prices: Botox for wrinkles.
Book an appointment: +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68 or Doctolib.
Frequently asked questions about Botox for sweating
How long does the effect of Botox on sweating last?
About 6 months, and 6 to 7 months for the underarms. A new session is carried out when the sweating returns.
How quickly does Botox work on sweating?
The effect starts from day 2 and is at its maximum at 1 month.
Does Botox for sweating also reduce odour?
Yes. By reducing sweat, it also reduces odour, for the whole duration of the effect.
Is a Botox injection for sweating painful?
Very slightly for the underarms and forehead, after an anaesthetic cream. The hands and feet, which are more sensitive, are treated under regional anaesthesia or under Kalinox.
Can sweating of the hands and feet be treated with Botox?
Yes, when the sweating does not respond to other properly conducted treatments, such as iontophoresis. Temporary weakness of the muscles of the hand or foot is possible.
Can I have Botox without hyperhidrosis, for the summer?
Yes. Botox can also bring more comfort to people who sweat normally.
How much does Botox for sweating cost in Cannes?
€400 to €600 depending on the area treated. For the underarms, French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie) covers part of the procedure, and your mutuelle may cover the balance depending on your policy.