Hyperhidrosis and Excessive Sweating
Stop excessive underarm or palm sweating with Botox. A 15-minute treatment that lasts 6 to 12 months. Most patients describe it as life-changing.
Causes and Treatment
Primary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that isn't caused by heat, exercise, or anxiety. It usually shows up in your teens or twenties and continues throughout life. The most common areas are underarms, palms, soles of the feet, and forehead.
For underarm and palm hyperhidrosis specifically, Botox is the gold-standard treatment. Small doses placed in the skin block the nerve signal that triggers sweat glands. The effect starts in 2 to 4 days, peaks in 2 weeks, and lasts 6 to 12 months. The treatment is FDA-approved for hyperhidrosis (since 2004 for underarms) and very well-tolerated.
Patients who get hyperhidrosis Botox almost universally report it as one of the highest-impact treatments they've ever done. Going from changing shirts twice a day, or avoiding handshakes and cold-press paper, to fully dry, is a quality-of-life shift.
Better Med Spa's Recommended Treatments
Botox is the primary treatment. The same neuromodulators we use for cosmetic Botox work for hyperhidrosis, with the right dosing and placement.
Botox (Underarm Hyperhidrosis)
FDA-approved for axillary hyperhidrosis. 50 units per underarm placed in a grid pattern. Onset 2 to 4 days, lasts 6 to 12 months for most patients. The standard treatment.
Dysport (Hyperhidrosis)
Faster onset than Botox. Sometimes used when patients have an event approaching. Same effectiveness for sweating once active.
DAXXIFY (Hyperhidrosis)
Longer duration than other neuromodulators. For hyperhidrosis patients who want fewer visits per year. Effective and well-tolerated.
Xeomin (Hyperhidrosis)
Clean formulation. Sometimes preferred by patients who treat frequently and want to reduce resistance risk over years of treatment.
First time? Most patients start with Botox for underarms. The treatment takes 15 minutes, you can return to work immediately, and you'll be fully dry within 2 weeks. We do not numb (the injections are very superficial) but a quick ice pack handles any sensitivity.
How to Choose Between Them
All four neuromodulators work for hyperhidrosis. Botox is the FDA-approved standard.
| If you want | Choose |
|---|---|
| Most-studied, FDA-approved | Botox |
| Faster onset | Dysport |
| Longest duration | DAXXIFY |
| Resistance prevention | Xeomin |
| Underarm only | Botox 50 units per underarm |
| Palms or soles | Botox with extra numbing |
Underarm hyperhidrosis treatment is straightforward and the most-requested area. Palm and sole treatment is more complex (the skin is thicker and more sensitive) but very effective. We use additional numbing for palm and sole treatments.
Cost matters here because hyperhidrosis treatment requires larger doses than cosmetic Botox. A typical underarm treatment uses 100 units total (50 per side). Most patients consider it worth the cost given the duration and life impact, especially compared to expensive antiperspirants and frequent shirt replacements.
What to Expect at Better Med Spa
Hyperhidrosis consultations at Better start with a 5-minute discussion of where you sweat, how much, and what you've tried. We confirm the diagnosis (primary hyperhidrosis vs secondary from another cause) and recommend a treatment plan.
The injection itself takes 10 to 15 minutes total. We do a starch-iodine test to map the most active sweat areas, then place injections in a grid pattern across the area. Most patients describe it as a series of small pinches. There's no downtime.
Dr. Brechner supervises all hyperhidrosis protocols. Better treats hyperhidrosis with the same care and precision as our cosmetic injectable patients.
Ready to talk to one of our providers?
A 15-minute consultation confirms your diagnosis and recommends a starting dose.
Before and After
See real Better Med Spa patient results in our gallery. Individual results vary based on starting point, dosage, and skin quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does hyperhidrosis Botox last?
6 to 12 months for most patients on Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin. DAXXIFY can extend duration further. Frequency depends on your body's response; some patients metabolize Botox faster than others.
Does the treatment hurt?
The injections are superficial and small. Most patients describe them as a series of pinches. Underarm treatment is well-tolerated without numbing. Palm and sole treatments use additional numbing because the skin is more sensitive.
Will I sweat somewhere else if I treat my underarms?
Compensatory sweating (sweating elsewhere) is uncommon with Botox treatment because we only treat localized areas, leaving most of your body's sweat function intact. This is different from surgical sympathectomy, which can cause significant compensatory sweating.
Most patients describe the injections as a series of small pinches. We use the smallest needles available and can apply topical numbing cream on request. The whole appointment is typically under 30 minutes including the consultation.
Is this covered by insurance?
Sometimes, when prescribed for diagnosed hyperhidrosis. Coverage varies by plan and requires documentation. Better doesn't bill insurance directly, but we can provide a superbill for reimbursement claims.
How much does hyperhidrosis treatment cost in Chicago?
Underarm treatment uses 100 units of Botox total (50 per side). Pricing scales with units. Palm and sole treatments use comparable doses. The treatment lasts 6 to 12 months, so the per-month cost is much lower than it appears at the visit.
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Where We Serve
Better Med Spa is located in Lincoln Park and serves patients across Chicago, including Old Town, Lakeview, Bucktown, Gold Coast, DePaul, West Loop, and River North.
Ready to stop changing shirts and avoiding handshakes?
Schedule a consultation and we will build a plan that fits you, your timeline, and your budget.