BOTOX® for Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating, which is a chronic condition affecting an estimated 7.8 million (or 2.8%) of the U.S. population. Patients with hyperhidrosis produce an amount of sweat that far exceeds the amount needed to regulate the body temperature. Hyperhidrosis can cause dehydration and skin problems, including infections, and can be accompanied by strong odors. Some individuals may sweat so profusely that they need to change clothing several times a day. BOTOX can help Bellevue and Seattle patients with hyperhidrosis.
Dr. Stella Desyatnikova has extensive training and experience in administering BOTOX. She has advanced training in facial plastic surgery and is board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. She is on the teaching faculty for Allergan, Medicis and Palette aesthetic courses and has been training other doctors and nurses how to administer BOTOX Cosmetic and fillers for years. Her caring spirit allows her to relate to her patients and understand exactly what they need.
To learn more about BOTOX or other treatments offered at the Stella Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, request a consultation or call our office at 206-682-3223. We look forward to helping you with any questions or concerns you may have, and getting you on your way to looking and feeling your best!
Stella Desyatnikova, M.D.
Meet Dr. Stella, a board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and Otolaryngologist who is committed to enhancing natural beauty and creating an appealing, harmonious look.
What causes hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis most frequently develops in adolescence or young adulthood. The underlying cause of the disorder is uncertain but genetics may play a role – one-third to one half of patients have a family history of the disorder. Severe sweating may worsen due to stress, emotion, or exercise, but often occurs spontaneously.
Although the precise mechanism that triggers the condition is unclear, it appears to be related to a malfunction in the sympathetic nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system that regulates "involuntary" bodily functions (those we don't exert conscious control over), such as breathing, the heartbeat, and regulation of body temperature. In people with hyperhidrosis, this system may produce too much of the neurotransmitter that triggers the glands producing sweat, or the glands may be overactive.
How can hyperhidrosis be treated?
BOTOX is a minimally invasive treatment approved to help patients with severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating) that cannot be adequately managed with topical agents. At our Seattle practice, BOTOX is administered through tiny injections into the axillary (underarm) area of severe sweating.
The treatment inhibits the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from nerve cells, blocking the signals that stimulate glands to produce sweat. The effects are temporary with a median duration of approximately 6 months depending on the individual patient, at which time the treatment needs to be re-administered to maintain maximum effect.
