How are Sweatox treatments performed?
A Sweatox procedure will vary in length depending on the body area treated. Typically both underarms will take about 15 minutes to perform. Treatments of larger areas such as the chest or back will take longer.
Most patients will notice that their sweating significantly reduces 5-10 days after treatment.
All patients must wax/shave any hair of the areas to be treated before a Sweatox treatment, INCLUDING MALE PATIENTS. This allows the areas to be visualised precisely and cleaned effectively. Often, a sweat test is be performed (using iodine) and this allows for the treatment to be targetted precisely.
________________________________________________________________________________
Pre - treatment:
- Your medical history and the nature of your sweating will be explored during your initial consultation. Please click here for information about patients not suitable for Sweatox treatments.
- On the day your treatment, you will be asked to fill out a detailed medical history form and sign a consent form.
Patients should be aware that they will need to expose the body areas being treated for the full course of the treatment. For the underarm areas for example, this can easily be achieved by wearing a loose top or vest that permits easy access to the underarm areas. Men may be treated with their top off if they find this easier.
Please be aware that a chaperone cannot be provided during procedures but if you would like to bring a friend or partner to be with you, this is perfectly acceptable and welcomed.
________________________________________________________________________________
Treatment:
1) Iodine solution is applied to the shaved/waxed area with a cotton bud
Please note that iodine solution will stain if there are small drops or spillages onto your clothing.
_______________________________________________________________________________
2) Starch power is then added to the iodine and spread to cover the area uniformly:
_______________________________________________________________________________
3) A colour reaction takes place after a few moments, from brown/yellow to blue/black. This indicates the areas where sweating is occuring. A circle is drawn around this area:
______________________________________________________________________________
4) The area is cleaned of the iodine/starch mixture and is divided up into equal areas:
______________________________________________________________________________
5)The number of injections varies for each body area. An underarm area (one side) will need 15-20 very small injections on average:
_____________________________________________________________________________
6) Botox is administered with an extremely fine needle just under the skin.
NO analgesia (anaesthetic or pain killers) is needed for either of the treatments but ice can be used for patients who wish to numb the areas:
________________________________________________________________________________
Post - treatment and after care instructions:
After the treatment, you can relax for 5 minutes to let the Botox to settle.
There are a just a few simple rules that MUST be followed after a Sweatox treatment to gain the maximum benefits whist also helping to avoid the few potential and minor side effects:
1) DO NOT massage, rub vigorously or roughly wash the areas treated for 12 hours.
2) DO NOT apply anti - perspirant or deodorant to the area until the next day after treatment
3) DO NOT drink alcohol until the next day after treatment.
4) DO NOT participate in sports, exercise or heavy activity until the next day after treatment.
These instructions are given to allow the injections to be taken up by the sweat glands in the skin. Rubbing or washing the areas in particular will spread the Botox to other areas of the body, decreasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
For forehead sweating treatments, there is a significant chance of causing complications such as an eye brow or lid droop if this is not followed. In addition, it increases the potential for bruising. Any minor discomfort due to the treatment will also settle with 48 hours or so if these rules are followed.
A helpful reminder card with these rules listed will be given to you, so there is no need to worry about forgetting them.
