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Is Botox a Solution To Prevent Black Women From Excessively Sweating?

If you’re a Black woman, you know the struggle of laying down those baby hairs. A styling gel and a clean toothbrush are some of the items needed for perfectly swooshed edges that will remain laid throughout the day. However, the number one enemy to those nicely set edges is sweat. Why? Sweating causes your hair to frizz and become puffy. You’re more likely to sweat during a workout, in hot temperatures, or even while eating spicy foods. However, a condition called hyperhidrosis can also trigger excessive sweating that’s unrelated to heat or exertion.

In any event, when sweating happens, going through the trouble of redoing your edges is bothersome. This hair dilemma is why some Black women are turning to Botox to reduce these forehead sweating altogether. Here’s a look into how Botox could work for minimizing facial sweat along with the risks of this beauty treatment.

How does Botox reduce forehead sweat?

Although Botox is known for smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, it can also be used to treat hyperhidrosis. Botox injections to the affected area, such as the forehead, inhibit nerve signals to the sweat glands. This tames the amount of sweat produced on the forehead, which eliminates dampness that could ruin edges. According to Healthline.com, limited research suggests Botox injections to reduce facial sweating could last for five to six months before retreatment is needed.

When it comes to the sweat-reducing effects of Botox for Black women, board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, has seen positive results within her patients. “There are so many women, particularly Black women, who are not working out or not doing what they can do to best promote their cardiovascular health because they feel the constraints of always keeping their hair a certain way,” Dr. Henry explains to The Washington Post. “After they get Botox in their edges, I get reactions like ‘This has not only changed my ability to work out, but it’s changed my work life.’” It’s worth noting that safe and best results for Botox come when an experienced doctor administers the injections.

What are the risks of getting Botox injections in the face?

Although Botox is a temporary option for preventing facial sweat, there are the risks to getting injections because they contain a small amount of botulinum toxin. Here’s a list of possible side effects of Botox injections from the Mayo Clinic:

  • Pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site
  • Headache or flu-like symptoms
  • Droopy eyelid or cockeyed eyebrows
  • Crooked smile or drooling
  • Eye dryness or excessive tearing

The Bottom Line on Using Botox for Sweating

So, Botox for facial sweat and edge control: beauty fad or effective solution to a hair hassle? That’s for you to decide. However, this topic reinforces the notion that beauty often comes at a steep price for Black women. In this case, it’s a monetary price because Botox is an expensive treatment that isn’t always covered by insurance. On the other hand, maintaining our hair can cost us time and energy—both of which are priceless. At the end of the day, the greatest hair care choices you can make are ones that nourish and strengthen every part of your strands, edges, and scalp, instead of damage them.

Disclaimer: This story isn’t intended to recommend the use of Botox in any way. Please research and consult a specialist before pursuing this treatment option.

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