Excessive sweating responds well to treatment that reduces the signal to the sweat glands, and the effect usually lasts longer than facial treatment.
Hyperhidrosis is sweating beyond what the body needs for temperature regulation. It is not a cosmetic complaint. Patients change clothes at lunchtime, avoid handshakes, keep spare shirts at work and turn down social invitations, and most have tried every antiperspirant available before they arrive.
Treatment places small amounts of botulinum toxin just beneath the skin across the affected area. The medicine blocks the signal from nerve to sweat gland, and sweating in the treated area reduces substantially.
At Dr Ellie Sateei’s London and Sevenoaks clinics this is one of the most reliably effective treatments offered, and one of the longest lasting. Results vary between individuals.
The nerves that trigger sweating use the same chemical messenger that botulinum toxin interrupts at the muscle. Placed superficially into the skin rather than into muscle, it reduces sweat gland activation in the area it covers.
Treatment is a grid of small injections spaced across the area, so the number of injection points is high even though each is tiny. Underarms typically need a defined grid per side. Palms and soles need more, and are more uncomfortable, so numbing is used and occasionally a nerve block.
Sweating is reduced substantially rather than eliminated, and the body does not compensate by sweating elsewhere to any clinically significant degree, which is a common worry.
For palms, one point needs stating clearly: the small muscles of the hand sit close to the injection depth, and some patients experience temporary weakness in grip or fine pinch. It resolves, but it is a real consideration if your work depends on hand strength or dexterity.
Where sweating is generalised across the body rather than confined to specific areas, or has begun suddenly, that warrants medical investigation rather than injection, and Dr Sateei will say so.
It may suit you if you experience excessive sweating of the:
It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with certain neuromuscular conditions. Sweating that is generalised, recent in onset, or accompanied by weight loss, fever or night sweats needs investigating rather than treating.
Underarm treatment takes around 20 to 30 minutes and is well tolerated without numbing. Palms and soles are more uncomfortable and numbing is used.
There is no expected downtime for underarms. Palms may feel tender for a day or two, and heavy gripping is best avoided initially.
Reduction begins within a week, with the full effect at around two weeks. Duration is the longest of any use of this medicine, typically six to nine months, and many patients treat once or twice a year, often timing it before summer.
Benefits of hyperhidrosis treatment
| Treatment | London | Sevenoaks |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperhidrosis, underarms | To confirm | To confirm |
| Hyperhidrosis, palms or soles | To confirm | To confirm |
New patient consultation, £195 at both clinics. If you go ahead with treatment on the day of your appointment, this fee is deducted from the cost of your treatment.
Prices correct as published and subject to change.
“This is the treatment where patients cry with relief, and I do not say that lightly. People have organised their entire working lives around not raising their arms or not shaking hands. It is also one of the most straightforward things I do and it lasts the longest. If you have been managing this alone for years, I would rather you knew it was treatable.”
Dr Ellie Sateei has over two decades of experience in dermatology and aesthetics.
Pricing varies by area, as palms and soles need considerably more product than underarms. Please confirm the current fee at consultation, which is £195 and deducted from treatment on the day.
Six to nine months, the longest-lasting use of this medicine. Many patients treat once or twice a year.
Sweating in the treated area reduces substantially rather than stopping entirely, which is the appropriate outcome.
This is a common worry and the answer is no, not to any clinically significant degree.
It can, temporarily. The small muscles of the hand sit close to the injection depth, and some patients notice reduced grip or pinch strength which then resolves. It is worth considering if your work depends on hand strength.
It is well tolerated without numbing. Palms and soles are more uncomfortable and numbing is used.
Treatments of interest to book alongside hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating is treatable, the reduction is substantial, and it lasts longer than any other use of this medicine. If you have been managing it with antiperspirants and spare shirts, an assessment is the useful next step. Dr Ellie Sateei sees patients at her London clinic.
Our London clinic is located at 91a New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6XF
We serve patients from London, Kent and the home counties as well as from all over the world. Our London clinic sits in the heart of Marylebone, within easy reach of the West End by tube, while our Sevenoaks clinic in Ightham is moments from the M25 and M26 for patients across Kent.
