Botox Injections on the Scalp to Treat Hyperhidrosis?

asked 3 years ago by NotLuke in Charlotte, NC
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 5,665 times
Tags: scalp

I sweat profusely from my head. It is so bad that people assume I wear hair gels. I am almost always wet. Oddly, I have average perspiration from my armpits. I don't see why you couldn't inject Botox into the scalp (I can't wiggle my ears anyway.) I simply can't find anything on the Internet that references the practice. If it could be done, how many units would be required?

8 answers to Botox Injections on the Scalp to Treat Hyperhidrosis?

Scalp Hyperhidrosis and Botox; Excessive Sweating - Treatment for Scalp Sweat

Scalp Hyperhidrosis and Botox, Excessive Sweating - Treatment for Scalp Sweat Botox can work for hyperhidrosis of any site and requires at least 100 -200 units when applied for hyperhidrosis of the scalp. Anyone who has used it for this indication knows that it is a large area and therefore many injections are necessary to accomplish the goal. It is my professional opinion that Botox is most practical for hyperhidrosis of the underarm followed by treatments for hyperhidrosis of the palms... more

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD
Buffalo General Surgeon

Dry up your brow

Extrapolating Botox treatments for sweating of the armpits, palms, and soles to the scalp is not a long shot. It should be just as effective. Since it is a relatively large surface it may require a large amount of Botox. I would bank on at least 100units. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

The scalp is probably too broad of an area for Botox treatment

This is a very unique question. Botox is very effective in treating hyperhidrosis (sweating) in defined anatomical areas such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, armpits, etc. It is my opinion that the scalp is too broad of an area to treat. However, it would be simple enough to perform a small trial run. I would check into other medical or metabolic causes of excessive sweating such as hyperthyroidism. Thanks for your question.

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Boxot for scalp sweat might not work

Although Botox is used for hyperhydrosis of the axilla and hands, I suppose it could be used for the scalp. However, normally 100-200 units is used for treating the more common areas. It may be a bit too much to try to treat the scalp, and I am not sure if it would work well on such a large area.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Botox is very effective to stop sweating - even from the scalp

You are in luck - Botox is very effective to stop sweating - even from the scalp. Botox is commonly used to stop sweating and the scalp is no exception. You should be able to find a plastic surgeon locally who will inject your scalp for you. David Shafer, MD Manhattan

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Sweat Stream? A Little Stab'll Do 'Ya

Since the mechanism of action of sweating is similar to the nerve stimulation that produces unwanted muscle activity, there is no reason why Botox could not be used to treat it. Botox has proven to be effective for treatment of sweaty palms and excess underarm perspiration as well. Because of the large surface area involved, I would recommend starting with a very dilute dose so that the Botox can be spread throughout the scalp, rather than concentrated in small areas as it would be with a... more

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Yes, Botox can work for hyperhidrosis of the scalp.

I treated an individual who had profuse sweating, primarily of the parietal and temporal scalp (sides of the head) with Botox and he was very satisfied with the treatments. The number of units depends on how widespread the hyperhidrosis is. To my patient, I administered 40 units to each side of the scalp, and the effects lasted 6 months.

Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

Botox for a Sweaty Scalp

Hi Not Luke, It would be helpful if you could narrow down the exact area of your scalp where the main sweating is coming from. Botox has been very successful in decreasing hyperhidrosis in the hands and armpits. It should work as well in the scalp. Good luck. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

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