aesthetic medicine · hyperhidrosis · botulinum toxin · Gdańsk
Hyperhidrosis means sweating more than is needed to regulate body temperature. It may affect the armpits, hands, feet, face, scalp or other areas and may significantly interfere with work, social interactions, clothing choices, physical activity and everyday comfort. At Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, the available procedural treatment method for hyperhidrosis is botulinum toxin, and the procedure is performed by Piotr Rak, MD, PhD.
This section is educational. Details of the procedure, qualification and price should remain on the hyperhidrosis treatment page and in the aesthetic medicine price list.
performed by Piotr Rak, MD, PhD
The most important answer
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that is not caused solely by temperature, physical effort or stress and may interfere with everyday functioning. If the problem is localised, for example in the armpits, hands or feet, and has been present for a long time, treatment with botulinum toxin may be considered. If sweating appeared suddenly, affects the whole body, occurs at night or is accompanied by weight loss, fever, palpitations or weakness, general causes should first be ruled out.
What is hyperhidrosis?
Sweating is a natural mechanism for cooling the body. Hyperhidrosis occurs when there is much more sweat than the situation requires. A patient may become wet despite no physical effort, have constantly damp hands, sweat stains under the arms, slippery feet, wet clothing or difficulty at work and in social interactions.
For some people, hyperhidrosis is an aesthetic concern, but for many it becomes a real functional problem: it may make it difficult to shake hands, work at a computer, wear light-coloured clothes, perform professional duties, maintain relationships and feel confident.
Primary and secondary hyperhidrosis
Primary hyperhidrosis
It is most often localised and affects the armpits, hands, feet or face. It usually begins at a younger age, may run in families and may worsen with stress, but it can also occur without an obvious trigger. In this type of hyperhidrosis, botulinum toxin may be one of the local treatment methods.
Secondary hyperhidrosis
It may result from other diseases, medications, hormonal disorders, infections, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, menopause, obesity, neurological diseases or other general conditions. It more often affects larger areas of the body and may appear suddenly. In such a situation, the first goal is to diagnose the cause.
When should diagnostics come before a procedure?
- hyperhidrosis appeared suddenly,
- sweating affects the whole body,
- night sweats occur,
- it is accompanied by weight loss, fever, weakness or palpitations,
- hand tremor, heat intolerance or diarrhoea has appeared,
- the patient has started new medications,
- chronic diseases or symptoms of infection are present.
The most common areas affected by hyperhidrosis
- armpits — wet stains on clothing, the need to change shirts frequently, avoiding light colours,
- hands — difficulty shaking hands, writing, working with documents or electronics,
- feet — moisture, unpleasant odour, feet slipping, greater susceptibility to abrasions,
- face and scalp — visible sweat droplets, social discomfort, a problem during public speaking or working with people.
How does botulinum toxin work in hyperhidrosis?
Botulinum toxin temporarily reduces nerve signalling to the sweat glands in the area where it is injected. As a result, the glands produce less sweat in the treated area. The mechanism is local and reversible — after some time, nerve signalling gradually returns and the effect weakens.
In hyperhidrosis, botulinum toxin does not work by “relaxing muscles”, as it does in the treatment of facial expression wrinkles, but by temporarily reducing the signal that stimulates sweat glands. Therefore, the injection pattern, dose and number of injection points are different from aesthetic facial treatments.
When can treatment with botulinum toxin be considered?
Treatment with botulinum toxin may be considered when hyperhidrosis is localised, persistent, bothersome to the patient and not caused by an untreated general condition. This most often applies to the armpits, hands or feet.
Before the procedure, the doctor should assess the area of excessive sweating, the severity of the problem, the patient’s diseases, medications, contraindications and expectations. Sometimes additional tests are needed, especially if the clinical picture suggests secondary hyperhidrosis.
What does qualification involve?
During qualification, the doctor asks when hyperhidrosis began, which areas it affects, whether it occurs at night, whether it is symmetrical, whether it runs in the family, what makes it worse, which methods have already been used and whether the patient has general symptoms.
The doctor may examine the skin, indicate the injection area and discuss possible effects, limitations and risks. In hand or foot hyperhidrosis, it is particularly important to discuss possible temporary weakness of small muscles or discomfort after the procedure.
What does the botulinum toxin procedure look like?
The procedure involves administering small doses of botulinum toxin into multiple points in the area of excessive sweating. The area may be marked beforehand, and in selected areas methods to reduce discomfort may be used. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
Technical details, the number of injection points, dose, preparation and post-procedure recommendations should be discussed on the hyperhidrosis treatment service page and during consultation with Dr Piotr Rak.
When does the effect appear and how long does it last?
The effect usually develops gradually over several days, and a fuller assessment is possible after about 1–2 weeks. The duration of the effect is individual and depends on the area, severity of hyperhidrosis, dose, the body’s response and previous treatments.
Because the action of botulinum toxin is temporary, the procedure may need to be repeated. However, a permanent effect or a specific duration of effect should not be promised to every patient.
Contraindications and situations requiring caution
The decision to perform the procedure is made by the doctor after taking a medical history. Special caution may be required in, among others, pregnancy, breastfeeding, active skin infections at the treatment site, certain neuromuscular diseases, allergy to ingredients of the preparation, use of selected medications and general diseases requiring diagnostics.
If excessive sweating is a symptom of a general disease, treatment with botulinum toxin alone will not address the cause. In such cases, internal medicine, endocrinological or other diagnostics may be necessary, depending on the symptoms.
What should not be done in hyperhidrosis?
- do not assume that every case of excessive sweating is purely aesthetic,
- do not ignore night sweats, fever, weight loss or palpitations,
- do not use strong irritating products on damaged skin,
- do not undergo a procedure without qualification if sweating appeared suddenly,
- do not expect a permanent effect — botulinum toxin works temporarily,
- do not compare your result with other patients, because the response is individual.
How to prepare for the consultation?
- think about when hyperhidrosis started,
- define which areas it affects: armpits, hands, feet, face, head or the whole body,
- note whether sweating occurs at night,
- tell the doctor about thyroid disease, diabetes, infections, menopause, medications and chronic diseases,
- describe what has already been used: antiperspirants, pharmacy preparations, previous procedures,
- inform the doctor about pregnancy, breastfeeding, neuromuscular diseases and allergies,
- prepare a list of medications and supplements.
Patient pathway: from excessive sweating to treatment
This section is not the procedure page itself. Its purpose is to explain the problem and direct the patient to proper qualification.
The patient notices wet armpits, hands, feet or face despite no clear need to cool the body.
The doctor assesses whether the problem appears to be localised hyperhidrosis or requires diagnostics for general causes.
If the patient qualifies for the procedure, Dr Piotr Rak may perform hyperhidrosis treatment with botulinum toxin.
The effect is temporary. If needed, the doctor discusses follow-up and the possibility of another procedure.
Doctor performing hyperhidrosis treatment with botulinum toxin
surgeon, aesthetic medicine
At Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, Dr Piotr Rak performs procedures using botulinum toxin, including hyperhidrosis treatment after qualification.
Doctor’s profile →Does hyperhidrosis interfere with your everyday life?
Book a consultation and qualification. If the problem concerns localised hyperhidrosis, the doctor may consider treatment with botulinum toxin.
FAQ – hyperhidrosis
Is hyperhidrosis a disease?
Hyperhidrosis may be an independent localised problem or a symptom of another disease. If sweating is sudden, generalised, nocturnal or accompanied by general symptoms, diagnostics are needed first.
How does botulinum toxin work for hyperhidrosis?
Botulinum toxin temporarily reduces the nerve signal that stimulates sweat glands in the injection area. As a result, the glands in the treated area produce less sweat.
Is hyperhidrosis treatment with botulinum toxin permanent?
No. The action of botulinum toxin is temporary. The effect lasts individually and the procedure may need to be repeated after medical qualification.
Which areas can be treated with botulinum toxin?
Treatment is most often considered for localised hyperhidrosis of the armpits, hands or feet. The doctor decides on qualification, dose and injection area after examination.
Can every patient with hyperhidrosis have the procedure?
Not always. First, the cause of sweating, comorbidities, medications, contraindications and the treatment area need to be assessed. In secondary hyperhidrosis, treatment of the underlying disease may be necessary.
Who performs hyperhidrosis treatment at Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej?
Hyperhidrosis treatment with botulinum toxin is performed by Piotr Rak, MD, PhD.
Are other hyperhidrosis treatment methods available at WMP?
In this section, we indicate the procedural method available at Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej: botulinum toxin. Other methods, such as iontophoresis, surgical procedures or devices used to destroy sweat glands, are not described here as WMP services.
Related pages
This section explains the problem of hyperhidrosis. Details of the procedure and prices should remain on service pages to avoid cannibalisation.
Book a qualification visit for hyperhidrosis treatment
If excessive sweating of the armpits, hands or feet interferes with your everyday life, book a consultation with Dr Piotr Rak and ask about treatment with botulinum toxin.
The information on this page is educational and does not replace a medical consultation. Excessive sweating may be an independent problem or a symptom of a general disease. The doctor decides on diagnostics, qualification for the procedure, botulinum toxin dose, injection area, possible contraindications and risks after taking a medical history and performing an examination. Medical review is required before publication.