Hyperhidrosis Treatment/Anti-sweating (Axilla/Hands)

What axillary hyperhidrosis treatment is

Primary axillary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating of the underarms that is not explained by temperature, exercise or emotion, and that disrupts daily life — clothing choice, social confidence, professional comfort. It affects an estimated 1.5–3% of adults and frequently begins in adolescence.

Botulinum toxin treatment temporarily blocks the cholinergic nerve signal to the eccrine sweat glands in the underarm. The glands stop producing sweat for the duration of the treatment effect. Body temperature regulation continues normally because the underarms contribute a small fraction of total sweat output.

This is the most established and best-tolerated indication for botulinum toxin in hyperhidrosis. It is reliable, comfortable, and consistently produces the dramatic reduction patients are seeking.

How treatment is delivered

Underarm treatment at Aesthetic Clinique in West Hampstead is straightforward and well-tolerated:

• We assess and confirm the diagnosis is primary, not secondary, axillary hyperhidrosis.
• A starch-iodine test can be used where helpful to map the highest-sweating zones in each underarm.
• Topical anaesthetic is applied; the skin is cleaned.
• 10–15 superficial injection points per underarm are placed in a grid pattern using very fine needles.
• Both sides are completed in one appointment in a total of around 5–10 minutes of injecting.

There is no meaningful downtime. Patients return to work and normal activities the same day, though we ask you to avoid intense exercise and saunas until tomorrow.

Who suits this treatment — and who doesn't

It suits adults with primary axillary hyperhidrosis whose daily life is affected, particularly those who have tried clinical-strength antiperspirants such as aluminium chloride hexahydrate without enough benefit. It is not used in pregnancy or breastfeeding, in certain neuromuscular conditions, with active infection in the underarm, or where excessive sweating is secondary to another medical cause — thyroid disease, infection, medication or systemic disease. We will refer or advise investigation first if there is anything in your history suggesting a secondary cause.

Results, duration and re-treatment

Sweating begins to reduce at 3–7 days and reaches full effect at around 14 days. Duration is typically 4–7 months — frequently the longest-lasting body indication for botulinum toxin. Most patients return once or twice a year. Some find the interval extends modestly with repeated treatment as the underlying glandular activity adapts.

We do not under-promise or over-promise: the realistic goal is significant reduction (80–95% in most patients), not absolute elimination. Some baseline sweat continues, which is appropriate — your body still needs to regulate its temperature.