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Introduction How does it work? What areas can be treated? How is it done? How long does it last? Are there any side effects? Am I a suitable candidate? Botox for excessive sweating? Introduction Many of the lines and wrinkles are caused by contractions of the delicate underlying muscles every time we smile, laugh, or frown. Over the years however, regular contraction of these muscles, may lead to the lines and creases becoming permanent. While we may have earned every one of our worry or laughter lines, the creases are not attractive. With the advent of an approved drug, dynamic lines can be dramatically softened. The procedure, which uses a purified toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum (Botox), is also termed cosmetic denervation. Although the toxin is the same as the one that causes a serious form of food poisoning (Botulism), the amount used in cosmetic surgery is so minute that no systemic or general reaction is seen. It takes 5000 times the usual dose to make someone sick! "Botox" has been used very safely and successfully since 1982. In the last 10 years it has become quite a popular treatment for reversing the visible signs of aging. Although celebrated in the media mainly as a line remover Botox has more recently been used successfully to combat the problem of excessive sweating of the underarms, palms and even soles. Lasers in medicine have been around for a number of years and have always been synonymous with "state of the art". Through constant development and research, laser technology eventually linked with computer technology, and the skin resurfacing laser was created. This undoubtedly has been the most exciting recent development in cosmetic surgery. Although many lasers now exist for different purposes, the carbon dioxide laser has emerged as the mainstay of treatment for laser skin resurfacing of wrinkles and scarring. It is thus very effective in rejuvenating ageing skin particularly around the mouth and eyes. Often the procedure is done in conjunction with another cosmetic operation such as a facelift or eyelid surgery. Certain skin blemishes, moles and warts can also be addressed with the carbon dioxide laser. It should be noted however that laser resurfacing is basically confined to treatment of the face and its suitability for treatment of the neck, hands and other areas has not been fully established. As mentioned laser resurfacing is also effective for reducing hypertrophic as well as mild acne scarring. Some types of scarring however, such as the so-called "icepick " type of acne scarring is best treated, initially at least, surgically. It is important to understand that only finer lines can be completely eradicated with this procedure. Deeper wrinkles or smile lines etc. can only be reduced in depth and not removed altogether. In these cases, the improvements are in the order of about 50%. Additionally laser skin resurfacing will not remove dynamic lines where the skin is attached to the muscle, such as the nasolabial (nose to mouth) lines. These are naturally occurring creases and therefore cannot be eliminated altogether by laser treatment. How does it work? When injected into a given area Botox, reversibly blocks the impulses from the nerves to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines. By doing this, the muscles cannot contract and therefore relax. When muscles relax, the overlying skin no longer shows the tethering effect of the muscle pulling on it - so the wrinkles and creases diminish! In a sophisticated use of Botox we can relax some muscles knowing opposing muscles will contract and actually "lift" certain areas - like the corner of the mouth or the eyebrow or jawline.What areas can be treated? Botox is mostly performed in the upper face. The most common areas requested are the forehead lines, vertical frown lines between the eyebrows, and crows feet or laughter lines radiating away from the eyes. It can help weaken the "puppet lines" which pull the corners of the mouth down. With some sophisticated use it can be used in the neck to loosen bands and raise the jawline, edges of the lips to allow the corners of the mouth to go up, or even around the eye to get the eyebrows up. How is it done? The procedure itself is simple and safe. A topical ointment is applied the skin to numb the area. Botox is injected with a very tiny needle into the desired area. Depending on the area treated, between 4-10 injections are necessary. Because the needle is so fine and only a small amount of liquid is used the pain is usual minor. Once the injection is completed there is usually no discomfort. No sedation or local anesthesia is required and as no recovery is required, your can resume normal activities immediately as long as you keep your head elevated for 2-3 hours so you don't bruise. You can even drive yourself home or go back to the office. Very occasionally some patients experience a slight temporary bruising or redness at the injection site. This can be covered with makeup. How long does it last? The full effects of Botox treatment are not apparent for three to seven days. As mentioned the effects are temporary in that the body slowly metabolizes the toxin in approximately three to six months. As most patients are quite happy with the effects of Botox, a top up injection will be required after this period of time to maintain the skin smoothing effects. Are there any side effects? There are very few side effects to this procedure. While allergy to any medication is possible, it is rare indeed with Botox. While a very small amount of brow drooping can occur when injected in this area, this can usually be avoided by not treating the 1-cm just above the eyebrows. Despite precautions however in exceptionally rare circumstances this can still occur. However due to the non-permanent nature of Botox this is always temporary. In these unlikely circumstances if a droop were to occur, it usually lasts about 2-3 weeks (much less than the full dose of Botox lasts). Am I a suitable candidate? Obviously only a consultation will be able to establish this. However, while Botox is well tolerated by most people, patients who are pregnant or have a neurologic should not be treated. Botox for excessive sweating? Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) can be socially as well as professionally disruptive and many times leads to considerable emotional stress and embarrassment. While some patients who suffer with generalized excessive sweating mar require regular medication to bring this under control, patients who suffer with localized excessive sweating of the underarms, palms and soles can be successfully treated with Botox injections. When injected locally into the skin of a problem area, Botulin toxin type A potently blocks the nerve fibers used to stimulate sweat glands, resulting in almost complete cessation of sweat production from that area. As the toxin is injected only within the skin, there is no risk of affecting deeper muscle structures and therefore their function. The procedure is similar to that described above for line removal. The effects of the Botox treatment takes three to seven days to be demonstrated, and the sweat free effects last between 3 and 12 months. Repeat injections produce similar results. The treatment is tolerated and is void of any adverse side effects. |