Super-sweaty folks know the struggle: Tons of antiperspirants, deodorants, and underarm wipes promise to be “clinical strength” or “outrageously effective”—only to fall short and leave you disappointed (and…still damp). But there’s one more extreme measure that a lot of people with perpetually wet pits swear keeps them dry for months: Botox.
These injections are most known for their ability to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, but they can offer noncosmetic benefits too—including, yep, reducing excessive sweating, Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York City–based dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, tells SELF. “In some cases, there can be zero sweat production afterward,” Dr. Zeichner says. “But most people will experience a significant reduction, but not complete dryness.”
Botox is actually FDA-approved to treat hyperhidrosis specifically, a condition in which your sweat glands are hyperactive—and some research has shown that getting 50 units (via 25 shots) in each pit can significantly reduce underarm perspiration for three to six months in people with this disorder. However, Botox can help with less severe cases of sweating too, according to Dr. Zeichner (and a bunch of perspiration-prone TikTokers back him up).
Essentially, botulinum toxin (the scientific name for Botox) curbs armpit moisture by temporarily blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that activates your sweat glands. “With less sweat production, there’s also usually less odor,” Dr. Zeichner adds. That’s because BO is caused by sweat mixing with bacteria on your skin, which thrive in moist environments. So the drier your pits are, the less likely they are to stink.
If you’re someone who’s been soaking through gray shirts for years, this may sound too good to be true—which is why you should also consider a few caveats: First, poking needles into an area as sensitive as your underarms can be painful. Not to mention, Botox certainly isn’t cheap, nor is it always covered by insurance. “Patients usually need to have tried other sweat treatments and prescriptions [without success] first,” Dr. Zeichner says, adding that, without insurance coverage, this option can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars out of pocket.
And so the burning question is: Can a few shots really get rid of those embarrassing pit stains this summer? To find out, we asked six people who went under the needle what their experience was like—and whether underarm Botox truly made a difference.
“It’s the only thing that works for me.”
Name: Cecilia E.
Age: 47
Price: Free (covered by insurance)
Was it worth it? Yes.
“Nothing else I tried was successful for my excessive sweating. I saw a dermatologist who recommended prescription topical treatments. They were helpful at first, but they ended up irritating my skin. I also took oral medications, but they made my mouth really dry. So my dermatologist suggested Botox as a last resort.
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The process was pretty simple: A medical assistant applied a topical numbing cream, which I sat with for half an hour. While there was some minor discomfort from the injections themselves, the pain was very tolerable thanks to the numbing cream. As for the results, it took about two weeks for the Botox to kick in.
Now I get this treatment a few times a year, and it usually lasts about four or five months each time. This decision has been life-changing: I’m confident and feel more comfortable wearing whatever clothes I want without having to worry about them getting damp!”
“It was just too expensive for me to do consistently.”
Name: Daniel H.
Age: 53
Price: $1,300
Was it worth it? No.
“In general, I did notice a difference in how much I sweat. Normally I always have pit stains by the end of the day, but for a few months after I got Botox, I didn’t. The main reason I don’t think it’s worth it, however, is because it’s too expensive. The results also didn’t last long enough to justify spending more than $1,000 multiple times a year. If it were cheaper or more permanent, I would definitely speak more highly of this treatment. I also work out regularly, so I’m not sure if that affected my results. My dermatologist said it was supposed to last six months to a year, but I’d say it only lasted three, maybe four in my case.”
“After the first time, I think it stopped working.”
Name: Natalie N.
Age: 34
Price: Free (complimentary as a beauty influencer)
Was it worth it? At first, yes.
“I started getting Botox in this area in my late 20s. I sweat a lot (mostly in my armpits) and the smell bothers me. My shirts would be stained yellow, and I’ve been insecure about this since middle school.
The first time I got underarm Botox, it was worth it. For months, my pits were dry and didn’t stink, which was a miracle. (I have tried everything, including lemon wedges, baking soda, every brand of deodorant—nothing has worked.) The problem is that I’ve done this about five times total so far, and it stopped working. I need to find a new solution. I know so many people who say it’s been a lifesaver for them, but I think my sweat glands are just too powerful.”
“The injections can be extremely painful, but the results are worth it every time.”
Name: Siobhan M.
Age: 27
Price: Free (covered by insurance)
Was it worth it? Yes.
“I had horrible hyperhidrosis that started during puberty, and a neurologist in my family suggested Botox when I was in my early teens. In my opinion, it’s a thousand percent worth it. Each session is super short (the entire process only takes 15 minutes), and I haven’t had any side effects: People always ask if I sweat more in other areas, and the answer is no! I felt the results pretty immediately, around two weeks post-treatment. Another bonus: I didn’t have to wear deodorant at all for a month or two, so that’s a win.”
“I went from obvious wet marks to nothing at all!”
Name: Carieanne R.
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Age: 30
Price: $600
Was it worth it? Yes.
“I have always experienced heavy underarm sweating and was proactively searching for any solution. It wasn't until I learned about Botox and could afford it (when I was 25) that I tried it for the first time.
The appointments are rather quick and easy. You’re being pricked in your armpits, which doesn’t feel good, but I don't mind because I know that the shots work. I started noticing results within five days after my first treatment, and it reduced the amount of sweat (and the smell) in my armpits for about 9 to 12 glorious months. There are so many fabrics and clothing colors I would never wear before, and now I’m able to without feeling self-conscious about stains and wet marks.”
“100% worth it—but only if it’s covered by insurance or the out-of-pocket fee is acceptable.”
Name: S.P.
Age: 40
Price: Free (covered by insurance)
Was it worth it: For the first three years, yes.
“I had never heard of Botox, let alone Botox for hyperhidrosis, but my dermatologist talked me through the process. In fact, he said he got it in his forehead for sweating specifically, so I decided to give it a go.
Yes, it was painful: 50 units in each pit stung a good amount. However, I was willing to go through anything for the chance to stop the waterfalls that spout from my armpits. About a week after the treatment, my underarms were bone-dry and stayed that way for months. It was bliss.
I did Botox every six months after that, and this carried on for three happy years—including a monthslong backpacking trip around Asia (which I never would have done without Botox due to the humidity, which is one of my massive triggers). Unfortunately, each time I got Botox after those three sweat-free years, it wouldn’t last the full six months anymore. The duration of being dry got shorter and shorter, eventually only lasting a month.
At that point, it wasn’t worth the trouble. I know that injectables don’t work for everyone, and no two hyperhidrosis sufferers have the same experience. If you want my thoughts, though, I’d save Botox for big life events like a trip of a lifetime or a wedding.”
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