Iontophoresis vs. b. toxin injections
Dr. Sandra Eriksson Mirkovic
Physician with a special interest in hyperhidrosis
Which treatment is better for treating excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)?
If you have hyperhidrosis, you are probably researching which treatment is more suitable. You can choose between antiperspirants, medications, botulinum toxin injections, iontophoresis, miraDry, and surgical procedures.
B.toxin injections are a common treatment for hyperhidrosis. However, some may find it painful, expensive, or experience bothersome side effects in the form of for example muscle weakness. An alternative to B.toxin injections is iontophoresis. Iontophoresis is a medical device for home use that passes a mild electric current through the treated area. And while it’s great to have so many options, it can also be overwhelming to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment.
Many wonder how these two treatments differ in terms of how long the effect lasts, price, side effects, etc. Therefore, we decided to create a table so that you can easily overview these facts and compare the different treatment methods.
| Treatment | Botox | Iontophoresis |
|---|---|---|
| Indication | Treatment of hyperhidrosis on all body parts, but not the whole body at the same time. | Treatment of hyperhidrosis on hands, feet and armpits. |
| Cost | ~600 Euro-3000 Euro for a treatment depending on the area and number of body parts to be treated. | ~460 Euro for a machine. The machine usually lasts 5-10 years. |
| Where is the treatment performed? | At the clinic. | At home by the patients themselves. |
| How long does the effect last? | 3-12 months. | Permanent effect if maintenance treatments are performed. |
| Success rate | About 90% of patients. | About 90% of patients. |
| Short-term side effects | Temporary local muscle weakness, dry skin, local redness or pain that is transient. | Skin irritation, redness, blisters. |
| Long-term side effects | Unusual. | No. |
| Serious side effects | Very rare but serious allergic reaction may occur. | No. |
| Availability | Not all clinics offer Botox treatments. | Iontophoresis machines can be ordered online for treatments at home. |
| Pain level | Local anesthesia can be applied before treatment, but often more pain relief such as morphine is required as the procedure can otherwise be experienced as very painful. | If it is painful, you should turn down the current because then it is too high. |
| Pregnancy | Not tested or approved for pregnant women. | Not tested or approved for pregnant women. |
| Breast-feeding | Not approved for breastfeeding women. | Approved for breastfeeding women. |
| Children | Approved for the treatment of children. | Approved from 12 years and above and from 5 years and above in consultation with a dermatologist (According to The British association of dermatology). |
Anti sweat machine
Our Hidroxa SE30 iontophoresis machine is easy to use and clinically tested for treating excessive sweating of palms, feet, and armpits.
Iontophoresis is a scientifically proven method that works for approximately 95% of our customers. You can reach its full effect with 12 treatments.
