How is the Botox procedure for sweating done?

The procedure is done at a spa or a clinic. Prior to injection of the Botox, the area of excess sweating is identified by staining with some starch iodine- which appear dark blue. The procedure does not require any anesthesia and both arm pits can be treated in a single sitting. For those who are afraid of needles, the area can be numbed with some local anesthetic. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes and there is little downtime.


After treatment the individual goes home and should refrain from resuming normal activities for 2-3 days. Most individuals will have mild weakness in the arm which was treated. This weakness may persist for 1-2 weeks and it is for this reason, most physicians only treat one arm at a time. The decrease in sweating is noticeable within a few days after the injection but the maximum effect is not seen for 2-3 weeks. There are some individuals in whom Botox may not work. The reasons are not completely understood