The warmer days are drawing near, and we look forward to soaking up the sun. The problem is that, for some people, high temperatures bring up yet another embarrassing symptom: sweat. Indeed, we all sweat a bit at some point, but an unlucky 4.8 percent of the US population sweats excessively. 

The condition is referred to as hyperhidrosis, and it causes you to virtually soak your clothes in sweat when you perform any kind of labor or enter the warm weather. Luckily, Dr. Ariel Ostad can help address this condition with either BOTOX® or miraDry® treatments. Let’s find out more about these treatments. 

What Is BOTOX®?

BOTOX® is an injectable that uses botulinum toxin type A to prevent the nervous system from sending contraction signals. This injectable is commonly used to treat dynamic wrinkles and offer you a more youthful look, but it has also been proven to be a good ally against hyperhidrosis.

Once BOTOX® is injected, the neurotoxin will temporarily stop the nerve signals from reaching the sweat glands. As a result, you should no longer sweat as much in high-stress moments or high temperatures. The session typically lasts for about 30 minutes in the office, after which you can go on with your day. BOTOX® typically stops sweat production for 6 months.

What Is miraDry®?

miraDry® is a non-surgical laser treatment that uses electromagnetic energy to damage your sweat glands. The heat generated by the handheld device will seep into the skin, destroying the sweat orifices while killing potential bacteria underneath. This makes it an excellent procedure for those who aren’t just sweating but also leaving a stench behind. 

Since the treatment penetrates the skin into the sweat glands, local anesthesia is generally required. For the most part, two treatments are enough to offer great results with an 82 percent reduction that provides permanent results.

How They Differ

Both procedures are very efficient at reducing the symptoms of hyperhidrosis, with the main difference being obvious: one is an injectable, and the other is a laser. However, the effects can differ depending on what treatment you choose. This can include the following: 

• Coverage

BOTOX® uses needles to deliver the product into specific areas of your skin where you sweat the most. As a result, if you have one or two areas that get a lot of sweat (i.e., the armpits or face), BOTOX® can prove effective. However, if you sweat throughout your whole body, miraDry® can offer more coverage.

• Results 

BOTOX® is a temporary injectable neurotoxin that lasts five to six months (depending on the movement level). It can easily cover the warm season, but its effects eventually wear off and maintenance treatments are needed if you wish to remain sweat-free. However, miraDry® destroys the sweat glands permanently, which makes it the perfect option for those who sweat year-round or want more permanent results. 

• Effect

BOTOX® needs some time to take effect since the neurotoxin stops sweat production within a few days. Most patients notice a significant reduction in sweat after about one week. That said, miraDry® immediately destroys the sweat glands, and the effects often appear on the same day.

• Recovery

Recovery takes about a week or two for miraDry®. You can expect to see some swelling, redness, and bruising at the treatment site, which is a normal reaction to skin healing. That said, the side effects are minimal, and you can usually return to your daily routine immediately. There is no recovery with BOTOX®.

Stay Sweat-Free This Summer!

Excessive sweating is never fun to deal with, especially when it prevents you from enjoying yourself outside. If this happens to you often, you might want to consider BOTOX® or miraDry® treatments. Call Dr. Ariel Ostad so that he can recommend the right procedure for you!

For more information about miraDry® and BOTOX® Cosmetic, please contact Dr. Ariel Ostad at 952-517-7900. He can tell you about the best treatments to address your condition. For more details, you can also fill out our online contact form, and we will get in touch with you shortly.