by Malavi Sivakanesan • 12 March 2026 • 5 min read
Botox is best known as a cosmetic treatment for making your face appear younger. But it can also treat…sweating? It’s nothing to be confused about. Our dentist in Bournemouth will explain why clinicians sometimes recommend Botox to treat a medical condition called hyperhidrosis, better known as excessive sweating
What is Hyperhidrosis? A Dentist in Bournemouth Explains
Everyone sweats, of course. It’s a natural response from the body to keep our internal temperature in check. Sweating in response to increased activity or atmospheric temperature is perfectly normal. However, there are some people who sweat in excess, even when the outside temperature is not hot enough.
This excessive sweating condition is medically known as hyperhidrosis. It’s relatively rare, affecting only around 1-3% of Britons. However, the condition can cause significant social distress for those affected and interfere with daily activities and the maintenance of personal hygiene.
How Much Sweating is Considered Too Much? Symptoms of Hyperhidrosis
- Heavy sweating not related to temperature, increased activity, or emotions (such as anxiety)
- At least one episode of heavy sweating per week when awake
- Usually affects the underarms, hands, feet or face.
- The problems affect both sides of the body (for example, both hands start to sweat and not just one.
- Those affected may struggle to control body odour because of heavy sweating, which in turn causes social distress.
How Does Botox Treat Excessive Sweating?
Botox is typically used as a cosmetic treatment to relax wrinkles and make skin appear younger. But beyond that, Botox also has important medical uses, particularly for treating excessive sweating.
Botox is great for treating hyperhidrosis because of its underlying mechanism. Botox works by disrupting nerve signals that contract muscles, relaxing them. This mechanism helps smooth wrinkles and fine lines. It can also disrupt sweat glands to help manage hyperhidrosis.
Botox is a highly effective option when:
- Antiperspirants aren’t effective for managing hyperhidrosis.
- The heavy sweating affects daily life and confidence.
- The excess moisture causes body odour and discomfort.
It has to be noted that Botox doesn’t stop your whole body from sweating (which could kill you!) Rather, Botox is selectively administered to the problem area. For excessive sweating, the underarms are the most common area for treatment because of body odour issues.
A dentist in Bournemouth can carefully inject Botox into the area most affected by excessive sweating. It will help manage distressing symptoms while allowing your body to sweat elsewhere to regulate body temperature
Some Areas of Concern
Botox is generally considered safe when administered by a qualified medical practitioner. However, certain conditions carry a higher risk of side effects.
- Conditions that affect muscle strength or nervetomuscle communication can increase sensitivity to Botox.
- People with existing neuromuscular disorders may experience strongerthanexpected muscle weakness due to increased sensitivity to Botox.
- Botox is not recommended for pregnant or nursing individuals.
- Anyone allergic to Botox or any other ingredients in the injections is typically advised against seeking this treatment.
- Treatment is not recommended if there are active skin infections at the injection site.
- Some medications can increase the effect of Botox or raise the risk of side effects like weakness or bruising. Examples include muscle relaxants, blood thinners, and magnesium sulfate.
Book a Dentist in Bournemouth for Botox Treatments
Want to know if Botox can treat your excessive sweating condition? Call our clinic to schedule a free consultation with a cosmetic dentistry provider. You may be asked to provide records of preexisting medical conditions to determine if this treatment is appropriate for you.
Malavi Sivakanesan
Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.