Botox for Excessive Sweating London | Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis means sweating much more than the body needs to keep cool. It most often affects the underarms, palms, soles of the feet or face, and can be embarrassing and disruptive at work and socially. At LSRI, Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, offers Botox (botulinum toxin) injections for excessive sweating when other treatments have not worked well enough.

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Who it may help

Botox may suit you if you have primary hyperhidrosis, where heavy sweating has no other medical cause, and strong antiperspirants or other treatments have not controlled it. It is most often used for the underarms, and can also be used for the palms or soles of the feet.

See your GP first if your sweating has started recently, happens mainly at night, affects your whole body, or comes with weight loss, fever or feeling unwell, as these can point to another cause that needs checking.

How Botox works for sweating

Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the nerve signals that switch on the sweat glands in the treated skin. Sweating usually starts to reduce within a few days, with the full effect after about two weeks. Results for the underarms often last around four to six months and sometimes longer, after which the treatment can be repeated. Botox is licensed for severe underarm sweating; its use on the hands and feet is off-label.

What to expect

Assessment: Dr Sankaye asks about your sweating, what you have tried and how it affects you, and checks that Botox is suitable.
Mapping: the area of heaviest sweating may be marked out with a simple starch-iodine test.
Injection: many tiny injections are given just under the skin across the area, using a very fine needle. Numbing cream or ice can make this more comfortable, particularly on the hands and feet.
Afterwards: you can return to normal activities straight away, avoiding hot baths, saunas and heavy exercise for the rest of the day.

Risks and side effects

discomfort, tenderness or small bruises at the injection sites;
temporary weakness of grip or finger movements after treatment of the palms;
a feeling of sweating more in other areas, which some people notice;
short-lived flu-like symptoms or headache, which are uncommon.

Botox may not be suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have myasthenia gravis or another condition affecting the nerves and muscles, have an infection where the injection would go, or take certain antibiotics (aminoglycosides). Please tell us about all your medicines, including blood thinners, before your appointment.

Seek urgent medical help if you have difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing after a Botox injection. This is very rare.

Why choose LSRI

Consultant-led care from Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist with more than 20 years’ experience.
Consultant-performed treatment, with a full assessment before any injection.
Two clinics: LSRI Harley Street (W1G 9QJ) and LSRI Northwest London in Harrow (HA2 7SJ).
No GP referral needed, and all major insurers accepted.

Frequently asked questions

Is the treatment painful?

The needle is very fine, so underarm injections are usually well tolerated. The palms and soles are more sensitive, so numbing cream or ice is used to help.

How long will it last?

For the underarms, often around four to six months, and sometimes longer. Results on the hands and feet can wear off sooner.

Will stopping sweating in one area cause problems?

Only small areas are treated, so the body can still cool itself normally. Some people notice a little more sweating elsewhere.

Other uses of Botox at LSRI

See all our Botox injections.

Book an appointment

Call 0203 633 5040 or book online. Clinics at LSRI Harley Street (The Harley Street Hospital, 19 Harley Street, London W1G 9QJ) and LSRI Northwest London (Medic Care Direct, 62 Station Road, Harrow HA2 7SJ).

Botox for Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) in London