Is Underarm Botox The Secret To Smelling Great All The Time?

Picture this: you're dressed to the nines, ready to conquer the day, when suddenly, you feel it—that sneaky trickle of sweat down your back, or worse, a sign of body odour making an unwelcome appearance. We've all been there, caught off guard by our body's not-so-subtle cooling system. But here's the good news: you don't have to grin and bear it. Whether you’re dealing with the occasional glisten or battling full-blown sweat storms, there’s a solution for you.

From the magic of underarm Botox to clever DIY remedies and dermatologist-approved product picks, we’re about to embark on a sweat-free journey to keep you fresh, dry, and cool, no matter how hot things get!

Everything To Know About Body Odour And Sweating

What Causes Body Odor And Excessive Sweating?

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a condition that happens when you sweat more than what your body needs to regulate your temperature. You may experience sweating when you’re at rest, in cold temperatures or randomly at times when you wouldn’t expect to sweat.

Sweat is an odourless fluid released from your eccrine glands (sweat glands). Sweat’s job is to help regulate your body temperature and prevent overheating. Sweat moves from your glands through tubes called ducts until it reaches the surface of your skin. Once sweat leaves the ducts, it changes from a liquid to a gas and disappears from your skin (evaporates) to cool down your body. Hyperhidrosis is the result of your sweat glands overworking.

Speaking about body odour, it is largely influenced by the microbiome on your skin and in your gut, which produces odour-causing molecules like ammonia, sulfur, and methylamine compounds, says Dr Geeta. This microbial balance is shaped by your diet, lifestyle, liver function, and gut health. Poor gut health, such as a leaky gut, and liver dysfunction can lead to unpleasant body odours. Additionally, compounds like hexenoic acid in sweat can contribute to these odours. Personal hygiene is crucial in managing body odour—regular showers with lukewarm or cold water using antibacterial soap, wearing clean clothes daily, and keeping areas like the armpits and groin hair-free can help.

Using antiperspirants also helps to control excessive sweating, which can exacerbate odours. So, body odour isn't just about sweat—it's a complex interplay of your microbiome, internal health, and daily habits.

How can you prevent excessive sweating?

​​To manage body odour effectively, it is advised to consider making some key changes to your diet and lifestyle. Dr Geeta recommends avoiding foods high in sulfur, such as onions, garlic, wine, cabbage, broccoli, mushrooms, nuts, and potatoes, as they can contribute to unpleasant odours. Additionally, trimethylamine (TMA) production, which can cause body odour, is linked to certain foods like red meat, whole milk, pork, ham, and cream cheese. When these foods are broken down by your gut microbiome, excess TMA can accumulate in body fluids, leading to a strong odour.

Stress management is another important factor, as stress can exacerbate sweating and body odour. “For more direct solutions, Botox injections in the armpits can temporarily block sweating. If you prefer natural remedies, try applying a baking soda pack or green tea bags soaked in cold water to your underarms. Apple cider vinegar diluted with water can be sprayed on your armpits, and a final rinse of lemon juice diluted with water during your shower can help neutralise odours. Finally, don’t forget that a good deodorant can also play a role in keeping you fresh throughout the day”, adds Dr Geeta Grewal.

Can Botox Injections Help With Sweating?

“Underarm Botox is an excellent treatment for excessive underarm sweating with a success rate of 90-95%”, says Dr Geeta Grewal. Botox injections work by blocking the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is responsible for signalling your sweat glands to produce sweat. Under normal conditions, your nervous system activates these glands to help cool your body when your temperature rises.

However, for individuals with hyperhidrosis, the nerves that signal the sweat glands become overactive, leading to excessive sweating. When Botox is injected directly into the areas prone to sweating, such as the armpits, it effectively paralyzes these overactive nerves. Without the signal from the nerves, the sweat glands in that specific area stop producing sweat. It’s important to note that Botox only prevents sweating in the areas where it’s injected, offering a targeted solution for managing excessive sweating. “It is used to reduce or control excessive body odour caused by sweating as well. It is a good long-term treatment option for those suffering from excessive underarm sweating”, adds Dr Madhuri Agarwal.

Downtime, Side - Effects AND Frequency?

While underarm botox seems like a great treatment to address this excessive sweating problem, it should be done after consulting with a dermatologist. “It's a safe and painless treatment, and can be done as a lunchtime treatment as it is a quick procedure”, says Dr Madhuri. “A Starch iodine test is done to identify excessively sweaty areas and Botox is injected after numbing the area with numbing cream”, says Dr Geeta. “A single session of underarm botox can give results up to 6-8 months and there are no side effects when done with a certified dermatologist. In rare cases there can be some temporary bruising at times that clears up in 5-7 days.”, adds Dr Madhuri.

To sum it up, underarm Botox is a fantastic tool in the fight against sweat, giving you that extra edge to stay dry and confident. But remember, it’s just one part of the bigger picture. Think of it as a bonus, while great personal hygiene, a mindful diet, and overall health are the essentials that keep you feeling—and smelling—your best every day. So, while Botox works its magic, don’t forget to shower daily, eat smart, and take care of yourself. After all, the best defence against body odour is a well-rounded approach, keeping you smelling and feeling great all day long!