Botox for Excessive Sweating: Underarm and Hand Hyperhidrosis Treatment
Botox for Excessive Sweating: Underarms and Hands
For people with excessive sweating, everyday life can be exhausting: changing shirts several times a day, avoiding handshakes, choosing clothes to hide sweat marks. Sweating botox is one of the most effective treatments available. In my Istanbul practice, I see patients who wish they had tried it years earlier. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis means sweating much more than the body needs to cool down. It affects about 3–5% of people and often starts in childhood or the teenage years. The most common areas are the underarms, palms, soles of the feet and the face.
In most cases, it is primary hyperhidrosis, which means the sweat glands are healthy but overactive, often with a family history. Less commonly, sweating can be caused by another medical condition or medication; if your sweating started suddenly in adulthood, it should be checked by a doctor.
How Does Sweating Botox Work?
Sweat glands are activated by nerve signals. Botulinum toxin blocks these signals in the treated area, so the glands produce much less sweat. Your body still sweats normally elsewhere, so temperature control is not affected.
Underarm Botox
Underarm botox is the most common and best-studied form of the treatment.
- Procedure: about 15–20 tiny injections just under the skin of each armpit
- Time: 15–20 minutes
- Comfort: very tolerable; a numbing cream can be used
- Results: sweating drops noticeably within 2–4 days, with the full effect after about one week
- Effectiveness: most patients see an 80–90% reduction in sweating
- Duration: usually 6–9 months, sometimes up to a year
Many of my patients schedule their treatment in spring, so they are protected through the whole summer.
Hand Sweating Botox
Palm sweating can make writing, typing, shaking hands and using a phone difficult. Hand sweating botox is very effective, but the palms are more sensitive than the underarms.
- Comfort: I use a numbing cream and, if needed, a nerve block that makes the treatment almost painless
- Results: dryness begins within a week
- Duration: usually around 6 months
- Possible side effect: temporary mild weakness in hand grip for a few days to weeks in some patients; this resolves on its own
What to Expect After Treatment
There is no downtime. You can return to work the same day. For 24 hours, avoid intense exercise, saunas and deodorant on the treated area. Small injection marks disappear within hours.
Is Sweating Botox Safe?
Yes. Botox for hyperhidrosis has been used for many years and is approved for underarm sweating in many countries. Side effects are uncommon and temporary. Some patients notice slightly more sweating in other areas of the body, but this is usually mild.
How Much Does Sweating Botox Cost in Turkey?
In my practice, sweating botox cost in 2026 is around $250–$450, depending on the area and the number of units needed. This is significantly lower than in the UK or US, where the same treatment often costs several times more. You can see all prices on my botox cost in Turkey page.
How Long Does It Last, and What Next?
Sweating botox lasts longer than wrinkle botox, but it is still temporary. When sweating starts to return, the treatment can simply be repeated. Many patients find results last longer after repeated sessions. For a full comparison of how long botox lasts in different areas, see how long does botox last?
Ready to stop worrying about sweating? Message me on WhatsApp and tell me which areas bother you. I’ll explain the treatment and the exact cost.
Written by Op. Dr. Akın Şahin, European Board certified ENT, head & neck and facial plastic surgeon, Istanbul.