Medical Treatments for Facial Sweating: Know Your Options

Facial sweating, when it’s excessive and unstoppable, may present social and professional challenges. It can also wreak havoc on your self-confidence and interfere with daily life. Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a medical condition that affects about 15 million people worldwide. Of those people, about 10% of them experience excessive facial sweating. If you’ve tried to manage the symptoms yourself without success, it may be time to consult your doctor about medical treatments for facial sweating.

Luckily there are several options, including topical applications, medications, and medical treatments that reduce or stop excessive sweating. In this article, we take a brief look at some of the most well-known and effective remedies.

Prescription Antiperspirants for Facial Sweating

One of the best medical treatments for facial sweating may be prescription-strength antiperspirants because they are the least invasive. Prescription-strength antiperspirants contain the highest levels of Aluminum Chloride, the active ingredient that suppresses sweat production. They are also highly effective in other areas of the body, like the underarms, feet, or hands. The most common side effect is skin or eye irritation.

Medication for Excessive Face Sweating

If antiperspirants are not a good fit for you, then your doctor may suggest trying one of the following oral medications commonly used to treat excessive facial sweating.

Anticholinergics

Anticholinergics work by inactivating the nerve receptors that receive the signal to produce sweat. As a result, sweat production is reduced, making anticholinergics a beneficial medication for excessive sweating face. Your doctor will explain the potential side effects, like dry mouth and eyes, blurred vision, and constipation. Because of the side effects, an anticholinergic may viable only as a short-term solution.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are another potential facial hyperhidrosis medication. They may be beneficial to reduce facial sweating in two ways.

• Decreasing sweat gland activity, which in turn, reduces sweat production.
• Decreasing general anxiety, which is often a trigger of facial sweating. By minimizing anxiety, sweat production may be reduced.

As with any medication, your doctor will explain any potential risks or side effects before prescribing an antidepressant to treat your hyperhidrosis.

Beta Blockers and Benzodiazepines

Beta blockers and benzodiazepines are also effective medical treatments for facial sweating. These medications work similarly in that they both stop or “block” the physical symptoms of anxiety by acting on the nervous system. They are particularly effective in those people whose hyperhidrosis is largely driven by anxiety-provoking events or factors. If you experience episodic sweating, your doctor may suggest this type of medication as a course of treatment.

Botox for Facial Sweating

In case you haven’t heard, Botox isn’t just for wrinkles anymore! It is one of the most effective medical treatments for facial sweating as well. OnabotulinumtoxinA, commonly known as Botox, is injected beneath the skin in the target area. Once injected, it calms the nervous activity of the hyperactive sweat glands and stops excessive sweating. However, the effect is temporary and may require subsequent injections. One of the benefits of Botox treatment is that it can be used in combination with other medications to stop excessive sweating.

As you can see, there are plenty of medical treatments available to reduce facial sweating. With the guidance of your doctor, you may find a treatment that finally gives you the relief you deserve. If you’re not quite ready to talk to your doctor, there are other approaches you can try, like facial wipes, facial antiperspirants, and even home remedies.

Are you struggling with sweat in other areas too? If so, Ejis sweat proof boxer briefs and undershirts (available from our shop or on Amazon) may be just what you need to prevent sweat stains. Our sweat proof basics are made of premium fabric fused with odor-fighting silver and an ultra-thin waterproof layer to protect your armpits, back, butt, back of the legs, and crotch. The line also includes Ejis dress socks to combat smelly and/or sweaty feet.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.