Is Underarm Botox Worth It? We Asked 6 Sweaty People for Their Honest Reviews

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 non-cosmetic 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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