Hyperhidrosis is sweating well beyond what the body needs to cool itself — and it can be genuinely distressing day to day. What helps depends on the area affected, and on excluding any underlying cause first.
Sweating well beyond what the body needs to cool itself
Common areas
Underarms most commonly; also palms, soles, and the scalp and face
How treatment works
Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the nerve signals that activate sweat glands in the treated area
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that goes well beyond what the body needs to regulate temperature — it can occur unpredictably and is often distressing in daily and social life. It may be primary focal (no underlying cause, commonly affecting the underarms, palms, soles or scalp and face) or secondary to another condition or medication, which should be excluded first. Botulinum toxin can temporarily block the nerve signals that activate sweat glands, reducing sweating in a treated area — but the right approach starts with a proper medical assessment.
As seen in
Understanding the concern
What is Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)?
Sweating is normal and necessary — it is how the body cools itself when we are hot, active, anxious or stressed. In hyperhidrosis, sweating far exceeds what is needed for temperature control. It can soak through clothing, affect grip and writing, and cause real day-to-day and social distress, often quite independently of the weather or activity.
Doctors distinguish two broad patterns. Primary focal hyperhidrosis has no underlying medical cause and tends to affect specific, often symmetrical areas — most commonly the underarms (axillae), but also the palms, soles, and the scalp and face. Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by another condition or a medication, and is usually more generalised. Telling the two apart matters, which is why a medical assessment comes before any treatment.
For focal sweating, botulinum toxin offers a well-established option. Placed as a series of small, shallow injections across the affected area, it temporarily blocks the nerve signals that switch on the sweat glands locally. With those signals interrupted, sweating in the treated area is markedly reduced for a number of months. It manages the symptom rather than curing the underlying tendency, so the effect wears off and treatment is repeated.
Treatment manages the symptom — it does not cure the underlying tendency to sweat, and the effect is temporary and needs repeating. Where excessive sweating may be secondary to another condition, Dr Nina will advise the appropriate medical pathway rather than proceed.
Quick reference
What it is
Sweating well beyond what the body needs to cool itself
Common areas
Underarms most commonly; also palms, soles, and the scalp and face
How treatment works
Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the nerve signals that activate sweat glands in the treated area
Who it suits
Primary focal hyperhidrosis confirmed at assessment, not controlled by antiperspirants
When to see a GP
Sudden, generalised, night-time or new sweating may be secondary — an underlying cause should be excluded first
Why it happens — three drivers
Primary focal
Overactive nerve signalling to the sweat glands with no underlying disease — typically symmetrical and confined to areas such as the underarms, palms, soles or face.
Secondary causes
Excessive sweating driven by another condition or a medication, usually more generalised — which is why an underlying cause is excluded before any treatment is offered.
Triggers & impact
Heat, anxiety, stress or activity can all worsen sweating, but in hyperhidrosis it occurs well beyond need — affecting clothing, grip, confidence and daily life.
Where it tends to show up
Visible sweating that soaks through clothing, often regardless of temperature
Damp or clammy palms that affect grip, writing or shaking hands
Excessive sweating of the soles, or of the scalp and face
Sweating not controlled by strong antiperspirants
Sweating that is symmetrical and focused on specific areas
Avoidance of certain fabrics, activities or social situations
At Facial Sculpting
What happens at your consultation
A consultation is not a commitment to treatment — it is a proper clinical assessment. Here is what to expect.
01
A medical assessment
Because botulinum toxin is a prescription medicine and excessive sweating sometimes has an underlying cause, Dr Nina and the team take a full history and review the pattern, distribution and severity of your sweating — considering whether it may be secondary to another condition or medication before confirming whether treatment is appropriate.
02
An honest, specific plan
If treatment is suitable, the affected area is mapped so injections can be placed evenly, and the plan — area treated, comfort measures and a follow-up to top up any missed spots — is explained clearly, framed as symptom relief rather than a cure. If an underlying cause should be addressed first, she will say so.
03
No obligation
Consultations are never upsells. The outcome may be treatment, a recommendation to see your GP to exclude a secondary cause, or simply clear information so you can decide. The goal is the right answer for your situation — not a booking.
There is no single answer — it depends on the area affected, how severe the sweating is, and whether an underlying cause needs excluding first. For focal sweating not controlled by strong antiperspirants, botulinum toxin is a well-established option: placed as small injections across the area, it temporarily blocks the nerve signals that activate the sweat glands. It is most reliable in the underarms, with the hands, feet and face assessed individually. At Facial Sculpting, Hyperhidrosis Treatment is offered only after a medical assessment confirms it is appropriate.
How do botulinum toxin injections reduce sweating?
Sweat glands are switched on by nerve signals. A series of small, shallow injections places botulinum toxin into the skin of the affected area, where it temporarily blocks those signals locally. With them interrupted, sweating in the treated area is markedly reduced for a number of months. Importantly, the effect is confined to the area injected — treating a focal area such as the underarms does not stop the rest of the body regulating temperature normally. It treats the symptom rather than curing the underlying tendency, so it is repeated as the effect wears off.
Which areas can be treated for excessive sweating?
The underarms (axillae) are the most established and most reliably treated area. Botulinum toxin may also be used for excessive sweating of the hands, feet, or scalp and face, but these areas can be more sensitive and results vary more from person to person, so they are assessed individually. The appropriate area and approach are confirmed at your medical assessment with Dr Nina, who will be honest about how reliably each area tends to respond.
Can hyperhidrosis be treated without surgery?
Yes — for many people, focal hyperhidrosis is managed without surgery. Strong antiperspirants are usually the first step, and where these are not enough, botulinum toxin is a well-established, minimally invasive option that may significantly reduce sweating in a treated area for a number of months. Surgical options exist for severe cases but are generally considered only when other approaches have not helped. Dr Nina will discuss what is appropriate for you, and where an underlying cause is suspected, advise the right medical pathway first.
Is botulinum toxin a cure for hyperhidrosis?
No. Treatment may significantly reduce sweating in the treated area, but it does not cure the underlying tendency to sweat, which returns as the effect gradually wears off. It is best understood as effective, repeatable symptom relief rather than a permanent solution. This honesty matters: at Facial Sculpting we frame treatment as managing the symptom, plan a follow-up to ensure the full benefit, and explain that repeat treatment — usually a few times a year — is part of the approach.
How long does hyperhidrosis treatment last?
The benefit typically lasts a number of months as the treated nerves gradually recover, after which treatment can be repeated. The exact duration varies from person to person and by area treated, and is confirmed at assessment rather than promised in advance — some people find they can go a little longer between treatments over time. Results are also not immediate: a reduction in sweating usually develops over the first couple of weeks, which is why a follow-up is recommended to check the result.
What is the difference between primary and secondary hyperhidrosis?
Primary focal hyperhidrosis has no underlying medical cause and tends to affect specific, often symmetrical areas such as the underarms, palms, soles or face. Secondary hyperhidrosis is driven by another condition or a medication and is usually more generalised. Distinguishing the two is important, because secondary sweating may need the underlying cause identified and addressed first. This is a core reason a medical assessment comes before any treatment — and why sudden, generalised or night-time sweating should be discussed with your GP.
When should I see a GP about excessive sweating?
It is worth seeing your GP if sweating starts suddenly, becomes generalised rather than focal, occurs mainly at night, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss, fever or a racing heart — these can suggest a secondary cause that should be investigated. Excessive sweating linked to a new medication is also worth raising. At Facial Sculpting, part of the assessment is considering whether your sweating may be secondary; where it might be, Dr Nina will advise the appropriate medical pathway rather than proceed straight to treatment.
Does the treatment hurt, and is there any downtime?
Most people tolerate it well, and very fine needles are used. The underarms are generally comfortable; more sensitive areas such as the hands or feet may benefit from topical anaesthetic or cooling, which can be used to keep treatment comfortable. Downtime is minimal — most people return to work the same day. Mild redness, small bruising or tenderness at the injection sites can occur and usually settles quickly. It is advisable to avoid heavy exercise, saunas and applying antiperspirant to the treated area for the rest of the day.
Will treating my underarms stop me cooling down or cause sweating elsewhere?
Treatment reduces sweating only in the specific area injected, so the rest of your body continues to regulate temperature normally — treating a focal area such as the underarms does not impair your overall ability to cool down. Occasionally people notice a small, temporary increase in sweating in another area as the body compensates; this is usually minor. If it troubles you, it is worth mentioning at your follow-up so Dr Nina can advise on the best approach for you.
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Excessive sweating is a medical concern, not a cosmetic one — and it is too often treated without first asking why. Dr Nina’s approach is measured: assess properly, exclude secondary causes, treat carefully where appropriate, and be honest that this is repeatable symptom relief rather than a permanent cure.
Assessment-first and medical
A full history comes first, including whether sweating may be secondary to another cause. Where it might be, we advise the appropriate medical pathway rather than simply proceed.
Careful, mapped technique
The affected area is mapped so injections are placed evenly, with a follow-up to check the result and top up any missed spots — so you get the full benefit.
Honest about what it does
We frame treatment as symptom reduction, most reliable in the underarms, lasting a number of months. We never promise a cure, and other areas are assessed individually.
“In my practice, I focus on addressing life’s moments and the emotions they carry, rather than merely correcting lines and imperfections. I aim to provide therapies that respect and reflect the individual’s personal story.”
