Botox ® underarm injections

The botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin first isolated in 1949.

It was marketed as an anti-aging drug in 2002, thanks to its muscle-relaxing effect, which smoothes out expression lines.
This neurotoxin blocks a mediator, acetylcholine, necessary for muscle fiber contraction and sweat secretion.

By binding to the receptors for this neuromediator, Botox reversibly blocks sweat secretion for an average of 6 months, before the toxin is broken down, releasing the receptors once again.

Perspiration is a natural process involved in thermoregulation, keeping our internal temperature constant: sweat produced by the sweat glands evacuates excess heat and eliminates toxins.

In some people, this perspiration can become excessive, triggered by factors other than thermoregulatory processes: this is known as hyperhidrosis. The exact causes are not known, but sweating is most often idiopathic in origin, accentuated by stress and emotions.

Excessive sweating often impairs social and intimate life, leading to feelings of embarrassment and shame.
Axillary hyperhidrosis can be accompanied by unpleasant odours (bromidrosis), despite perfect personal hygiene.

Dr Christelle Santini offers underarm Botox injections to put an end to excessive sweating under the arms, non-invasively and non-surgically:

• or as a one-off before an important event where you don't want to sweat excessively under your arms (weddings, family celebrations, job interviews, conferences or speeches, etc.);
• or recurrently, to combat chronic hyperhidrosis, with an underarm injection twice a year.

An initial consultation takes place at Dr Christelle Santini's medical practice. The clinical examination will check for primary hyperhidrosis. If there is any doubt about secondary hyperhidrosis, Dr. Santini may recommend further tests, such as a hormone test.

She will interview you to understand your needs and expectations, as well as any psychological suffering you may be experiencing as a result of your excessive sweating.

For optimum effect in summer, Dr. Santini recommends antiperspirant injections in spring, with a lasting effect of around 6 months. Botox underarm injections take an average of 5 to 10 days to take effect, with an optimal effect on sweat secretion after 2 to 4 weeks.

This injection into the axillary fossa can be done on a regular basis, twice a year, or on a more occasional basis, before a major event, for example. In this case, it's advisable to plan a month in advance.

During this first visit, Dr. Santini also checks for the absence of contraindications, such as :

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Neuromuscular diseases (myasthenia gravis, etc.).
• Known hypersensitivity to botulinum toxin.

Treatments such as aspirin may be a relative contraindication (increased risk of bleeding), to be discussed with Dr. Santini during the first appointment. If necessary, she will prescribe an anaesthetic cream to be applied one hour before the injection session, and ask you to shave your armpits at least 24 hours beforehand.

After disinfecting the treated areas, the entire injection process takes between 15 and 30 minutes.

Injections are performed intradermally, with a fine needle, usually in a grid pattern, with one injection every 10 mm maximum.

It is often necessary to re-dilute the botulinum toxin vial with physiological saline, to dose each injection more accurately.

The use of very fine needles limits pain and bleeding, as patients usually experience a succession of tingling sensations.

The patient goes home as soon as the antiperspirant injection session is over.

No social eviction is required.

Redness or bruising is possible, but hidden under the armpits.

It's advisable not to rub the area the same day, or apply irritating products such as alcoholic perfumes or deodorants.

Receptor saturation begins after around 4 days, with an optimal effect on sweat secretion after 2 to 4 weeks: it's estimated that sweat secretion then decreases by around 80% on average, resulting in virtually no halos or unpleasant odours.

The effect lasts an average of 6 months, sometimes a little less if it's the first injection.

• An initial consultation with an estimate.
• A pain-free 15/30-minute session.
• Immediate return home with no social eviction.
• Optimal effect from 2 to 4 weeks, with a clear reduction in underarm perspiration.
• Lasting effect for 6 months.

What to do before Botox® antiperspirant?

• A preliminary aesthetic medicine consultation with an estimate.
• It is recommended to stop taking aspirin 5 days before Botox underarm injections.
• Shave armpits before injections.
• Anaesthetic cream 1 hour before.

How is an underarm botox ® session performed in Paris?

• Session duration: 15 to 30 minutes.
• Multi-point injections with Botox dilution.
• Virtually painless operation thanks to the fine-bevel needle.

What are the after-effects of a botulinum toxin treatment for perspiration?

• Results starting as early as day 4.
• Sweat secretion markedly reduced between 2 and 4 weeks.
• Anti-perspirant effect for 4 to 6 months.