Being a little larger than the average person, it’s fair to say that you sweat a little more. Clinically it’s called Hyperhydrosis. AKA sweaty McGee. When I get hot and sweaty, my hair goes curly, makeup melts off my face, eczema makes my lips swell because I scratch it when I get hot. Sweaty mess. Oh and then I get cranky.
Six months ago I had a form of Botox called ‘Dysport’ injected into my face and it’s significantly improved my life so I thought I would share my experience with you guys. Straight up, I’ll tell you now that I paid $800 over two sessions.
I didn’t really document the process with photos but I wanted to share my experience with you because it’s CHANGED MY LIFE.
To keep it real, I’m going to show you some photos of myself that I had handy on my phone, photos I’d prefer no one to ever see. Might as well put them on the internet hey?
For me, moving from chilly Melbourne to the tropical Whitsundays years ago was a game changer. Not only is it warm all the time, it’s disgustingly humid for 5 months of the year.
The sweatiness effected me the most whilst working at a five star resort coordinating some of the most prestigious celeb events, which was a nightmare because I was constantly outside in my business suit. I’m talking BIG name celebs here guys. I wish I could drop some names.
I had secret stashes of tissues down my bra where I would discreetly turn away from clients to wipe my sweat stash off my face every few minutes.
Seriously it was impossible. And I constantly felt embarrassed and gross.
Luckily I was good friends with the Chefs who let me stand in the empty cool rooms in between meetings.
Right. Sweaty photo time. Bear in mind this was taken after a 14 hour flight where I went straight into volunteer at an animal shelter in the Middle East 50degrees Celsius (I was too excited to sleep)
Short term, there are many facial antiperspirants out there that you can put under your makeup. They are pretty thick and in all honestly not that effective. Which when you live in a hot climate kinda sucks that it was the only option.
I spoke to my doctor about it and he pretty much fobbed off my concerns and said I just needed to loose 30kgs and my body would be back to normal.
URGH. (he’s not my doc anymore)
So for years I suffered with it and wore gluggy face antiperspirant under my makeup. I threw away my mascara and wore eyelash extensions just so I wouldn’t get panda eyes.
Through work, social situations, sex, dancing, as soon as the temp changed sweaty face Sam appeared.
Six months ago I bit the bullet and visited a cosmetologist to discuss my options.
(also like to note here that I in no way wanted to alter my appearance)
I met with a team of industry professionals who took the time to understand what was going on. A dye was placed on my face then talcum powder was placed over the dye to show the main spots I was perspiring from.
The cosmetologists did their research, spoke to other industry professionals and a month later they came back to me with a plan which involved injecting small amounts of dysport in my face, not to alter my appearance but to effect the sweat glands.
I’m terrified of needles. Like I panic and faint. (thanks to having needles under my feet as a 10 year old being held down by four adults, totally traumatised)
Basically I laid down, was given some happy gas (which takes the care factor away just like drinking a bottle of bubbly), closed my eyes and had two wonderful women assume me that they weren’t using needles but ‘magic wands’ that wouldn’t hurt me. Small amounts of dysport was injected into various spots in my face. My upper lip, hairline (which hurt the most), under my eyes and my brow. It stung but I had someone holding my hand and an ice cube in my other hand to distract me.
I’ve had two treatments a month apart and have full movement in my face. It hurt for a few minutes but it was worth it.
I still sweat on my face, it doesn’t magically disappear. But I no longer bead and drip sweat the second I step into the heat.
My face still goes pink when I work out. I’d say I sweat more on my neck now or maybe I’m just noticing it more. After a massive gym session, I was so hot that I jumped straight into the pool fully clothed when I got home. In this photo you can see where they’ve injected my Dysport (white dots). I think the cold water shocked my skin so it was a little more noticeable.
If this is something you would consider. Don’t get someone who just has the license to inject, like a dentist or a GP. See an experienced professional who deals with cases like this everyday as your underlying facial expression muscles will be affected if they stuff it up.
Hi Sam
Loved this post. I have the same issue so really understand how difficult it can be to deal with and would be interested in having same treatment. I live Sydney and would be keen to know who did the treatment for you.
Hope you are enjoying your overseas adventures.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks
Felicity
Hey Felicity,
I had it done at Face Today in Cairns by Kerri. http://www.facetoday.com.au She spent lots of time planning and consulting with others to make sure I got the bet results.
Many people can do the treatment but be SO SO careful. A friend went to someone in Bris for the same and they put too much under her eye and she had a weird squint for a month or so. My advice is to only do a little bit at a time and top it up to increase the effectiveness.
Maybe book a holiday up to Cairns 🙂
Let me know how you go x
Thanks SO much for sharing this. I’ve always had a major face sweating problem.
Unfortunately I’m having trouble finding professionals who do this in Adelaide. Will keep searching. Would change everything for me!
Hey Matilda, did you have any luck?
I’ve found a place in Sydney that does the same thing if that helps
Hi Sam
Love to get your Sydney referral. How exciting!
Thanks
Felicity
Hi Sammy. I have just stumbled across your post and… what a relief! I suffer from the exact thing you describe – really really sweaty from my face, neck and even scalp within moments of being in a hot temperature. Hiding tissues down my top so to dry may face whenever I have a chance is a very familiar thing. It’s horrible isn’t it. Plus I too have had doctors tell me that I simply need to loose weight, even though I know 100% that this is not connected to my weight. I’m so interested to hear your success with this treatment. Doctors have mentioned similar (botox in my scalp) previously but I dismissed it as it sounded too painful. But reading your post makes me think perhaps I could give it a go. May I ask, is your treatment permanent or is it something you will have to do regularly? Thanks again. Anna
Glad you found my post 🙂 I really don’t miss having tissues down my bra. Ever since getting my face done I feel like I get more sweaty on my neck but it’s better than my face.
The treatment does wear off and it’s worth every penny.
Where are you based? I get it done every six months in Cairns or Sydney. I live in FNQ so its hot all the time, but this ‘winter’ I’m headed to the USA so getting it done again next week.
It can be uncomfortable, but if you go the the right place where the consultants are supportive and caring it eases the process. They often bring in someone to tap the back of my head as a distraction. Plus numbing cream and happy gas. At first I didn’t want the gas but ended up hitting it hard as the scalp ones hurt. More than happy to call you and chat to you about my experience, flick me an email with your number any time. I wish I had done this years and years ago but it was unheard of and idiot doctors kept telling me to loose weight. Thats before I knew I have PCO and Hoshimotos.
I saw your comment on Jenni’s FB post so popped over for a look. I can’t wear makeup because my face and head sweats so much. I can’t even wear moisturiser during the day. The moment I put stuff on my skin I start to sweat. In summer my hair is NEVER dry and I keep cutting it short so it’s not so obvious. It’s terribly embarrassing and I feel more self-conscious because I am and have been really overweight.
I don’t mind the idea of sweating when I exercise, but the idea that I can NEVER get dressed up nicely depresses me a lot!
I tried medication for Hyperhidrosis years ago but it had little effect. The cost of botox (etc) is a bit prohibitive for me at the moment but I am interested.
Deb
Hi Sam, I’ve had this article saved to my favourites for years, because I suffer from hyperhidrosis on my face/head and I also live in Cairns I now find myself in a position to actually seek treatment and I have to say I’m a little excited! I’ve just started a retail job which is full on and I literally drip, it’s mortifying. I change my top 2 or 3 times a shift, and every morning prepare a stash of paper towels all neatly folded to put in my pockets.I am over it and over people saying “oh I sweat too” or “are you ok?” Having this job also puts me in a place where I can try what you have had done. I am going to contact the same place you went to (they have changed names now though), and am forever hopeful it will work for me and be “normal” again.