Underarm Botox in Korea treats axillary hyperhidrosis by placing small doses of botulinum toxin just under the armpit skin, where it blocks the nerve signal that switches on the eccrine sweat glands. At ENTER Plastic Surgery the injections take 15 to 20 minutes after numbing cream, sweating starts to ease within three to seven days, and you can fly home the same day.
Is it for you?
Who underarm Botox suits
Hyperhidrosis means sweating well beyond what the body needs to cool down. In the primary form, the sweat glands themselves are normal; the nerves that drive them are overactive, so sweat appears in a fixed pattern on the underarms, palms or soles, regardless of heat or effort. That pattern responds well to a treatment that interrupts the nerve signal locally.
The picture changes when sweating appears suddenly, affects the whole body or soaks the sheets at night. Those features can point to an underlying cause, such as a thyroid or hormonal change or a medication, and they call for a medical check first. Botulinum toxin is also avoided in people with disorders of nerve and muscle signaling, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Usually a good fit
- Underarm sweat that marks or soaks through clothing
- Heavy sweating that began in the teens or early adulthood
- Clinical-strength antiperspirants that no longer control it
- Palms or soles that sweat heavily as well
- Wanting a short treatment with a same-day flight home
We may suggest waiting
- Sweating that started suddenly, at night or all over the body
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Myasthenia gravis or another nerve and muscle disorder
- Infection, rash or inflamed skin in the armpit
- Underarm odor as the concern without heavy sweating
How it works
How botulinum toxin switches off underarm sweat glands
Eccrine sweat glands, the type that produce watery sweat, sit in the deep layer of the skin and are densely packed in the hair-bearing part of the armpit. They are triggered by nerve fibers that release acetylcholine. When botulinum toxin is injected into that layer, it stops acetylcholine from being released at the nerve endings, so the glands receive no signal to secrete. The glands are left intact. As new nerve endings form over the following months, sweating gradually returns and the treatment is repeated.
Three toxin tiers are available at the clinic: a Korean botulinum toxin, XEOMIN by Merz, and BOTOX Cosmetic by Allergan. "Botox" is used on this page as the everyday name for botulinum toxin type A, the class all three belong to. The same approach is used for the palms and soles, where the skin is thicker and the injection points sit closer together.
The evidence for the underarms is strong by the standards of cosmetic medicine. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, botulinum toxin type A reduced underarm sweating, was well tolerated and gave high patient satisfaction (Naumann, 2001).
Mapping the sweating zone
The hair-bearing area of each armpit, where sweat glands are concentrated, is marked out with a grid of evenly spaced injection points.
Skin numbed first
A numbing cream is applied over the marked skin and left to work, which takes the edge off the many small needle pricks that follow.
Shallow injections
15–20 minutesA fine needle places a small amount of toxin just under the skin at each point, so the dose spreads evenly through the layer that holds the glands.
Onset over the first week
3–7 daysSmall raised bumps settle within hours to days, and the reduction in sweating becomes noticeable over three to seven days.
Sweat treatments on the ENTER Plastic Surgery menu
| Point of comparison | Underarm Botox | Palm or sole Botox | miraDry (underarms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Blocks the nerve signal to the glands | Blocks the nerve signal to the glands | Microwave energy heats the sweat glands |
| Numbing | Numbing cream | Numbing cream | Local anesthesia |
| Treatment time | 15–20 minutes | 15–20 minutes | About 1 hour, 1.5 hours with numbing |
| Recommended sessions | 1–2 a year, before summer | 1–2 a year, before summer | 1–2 sessions, 3 months apart |
| Earliest flight home | Same day | Same day | After 2–3 days |
Session numbers and travel timing are the clinic's own guidance; responses differ from person to person.
Your doctor
Chief Director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“Natural, yet clearly visible change.”Eyelid and facelift surgery at ENTER is planned and performed by Dr. Jang himself.
- NowChief Director, ENTER Plastic Surgery
- TrainingPlastic surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical Center
- FormerChief Director, Jang Plastic Surgery
- FormerDirector, Secret Plastic Surgery
- MemberKSPRS · KSAPS · ISAPS · ESOPRS · ASPS
At a glance
Hyperhidrosis Botox treatment facts
| Procedure time | 15–20 minutes |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | Numbing cream |
| Downtime | Possible stinging, bruising, swelling or raised bumps for 2–3 days |
| Recommended sessions | 1–2 times a year, ideally before summer |
| How long results last | About 6–12 months |
| Return to exercise | Generally, daily activities resume straight away; heavy exercise and sweating are avoided for the first 24–48 hours |
| Earliest flight home | Same day |
Prices
How underarm Botox is priced in South Korea
Hyperhidrosis Botox is charged per area, and the underarms, the palms and the soles each count as one area at the same rate. Treating the underarms and the palms on one visit therefore adds two area lines to the bill. Each area comes in the three toxin tiers shown on the cards, and the cards list every amount excluding VAT (10% VAT is added at payment).
Ask the clinic to confirm in your quote exactly what one area covers before you travel, together with any other procedure you plan for the same trip.
Prices exclude VAT (10% VAT is added at payment).
Recovery
After underarm Botox: the first days and months
Stay upright and do not lie down for three to four hours after the injections. The small bumps at the injection points flatten as the fluid is absorbed.
Stinging, bruising, swelling or a slightly uneven, bumpy feel at the injection points can last two to three days and is part of the normal course. Contact the clinic about anything beyond that.
The nerve signal to the glands is now blocked, and the underarms feel noticeably drier over these days.
Dryness holds for about six to twelve months before sweating slowly returns. Planning one or two treatments a year, with one before summer, keeps the hottest months covered.
Safety
Side effects and limits of hyperhidrosis Botox
Underarm injections are shallow and spread over a small area, and the side effects listed below are those described for botulinum toxin in sweat treatment.
- Pain, bruising or swelling at the injection points, which settles within a few days.
- Temporary weakness of the small hand muscles after palm injections, which can make fine grip tasks harder for a period.
- Patchy results, where an area of the armpit keeps sweating and needs further injection at a later visit.
- Rarely, flu-like symptoms, an allergic reaction, or effects from toxin spreading beyond the treated area.
- The effect wears off, so the treatment has to be repeated to stay dry.
Evidence is uneven across body areas. A health technology assessment of 50 studies found moderate-quality evidence of a large benefit from botulinum toxin for underarm sweating, with weaker evidence for other treatments and only low or very low quality evidence for energy devices (Wade, 2017). For the palms, reviews describe relief from toxin alongside practical limits such as discomfort during injection and the need to return regularly (Moniati, 2025).
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Botulinum toxin type A in treatment of bilateral primary axillary hyperhidrosis: randomised, parallel group, double blind, placebo controlled trialBMJ · 2001 · Naumann M · doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7313.596
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: botulinum toxin type A was safe and effective for primary underarm hyperhidrosis, with high patient satisfaction.
- Interventions for hyperhidrosis in secondary care: a systematic review and value-of-information analysisHealth Technology Assessment · 2017 · Wade R et al. · doi:10.3310/hta21800
Systematic review of 50 mostly small studies: moderate evidence of a large effect of botulinum toxin on underarm sweating; evidence for energy-based devices was low or very low quality.
- The treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis – a systematic reviewInternational Journal of Dermatology · 2021 · Chudry H · doi:10.1111/ijd.15937
Systematic review of palmar hyperhidrosis: few high-quality studies, but regular botulinum toxin and iontophoresis both eased symptoms; sympathectomy carried notable side effects such as compensatory sweating.
- Efficacy and Safety of Treatments for Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis: A Systematic Review Assessing Patient‐Centric OutcomesDermatology Research and Practice · 2025 · Moniati F et al. · doi:10.1155/drp/8867838
Systematic review of 14 studies on palmar hyperhidrosis: each treatment helped, yet most came with practical limits such as side effects or the burden of repeated sessions.
FAQ
Underarm Botox FAQ
Does underarm Botox hurt?
It is a series of small, shallow needle pricks, and numbing cream (an anaesthetic cream, in UK spelling) is applied first to dull them. The underarm skin is thin, so what you feel is mainly a brief sting at each point. Palms and soles are more sensitive, and injections there are felt more.
Do I need to stay in Seoul for several days after hyperhidrosis Botox?
No. The clinic's guidance is that you can fly the same day. Plan to stay upright for three to four hours after the injections, and keep the rest of the day light. Any bumps, bruising or stinging over the next two to three days will not stop you from traveling.
Who carries out the sweat injections?
A doctor at ENTER Plastic Surgery gives the injections. Dr. Choi Yul, a family medicine specialist, focuses on Botox, injections and pigment treatment at the clinic. The doctor reviews your sweating pattern and general health before the areas are marked.
How much is added to the underarm Botox price at payment?
Korea's 10% VAT is added on top of the listed price when you pay. The cards show each toxin tier per area before VAT, and each extra area, such as the palms, adds one more line. Ask for an itemized quote if you are combining sweat treatment with other procedures.
How can I book underarm Botox from outside Korea?
Send the form on this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. English-speaking staff are available at the clinic. Since the treatment fits into a single visit, tell us your arrival date and which areas you want treated.
Is a deposit needed for a hyperhidrosis Botox appointment?
Deposit and cancellation terms are set per booking, so ask for them in writing before you pay. Because underarm Botox takes one short visit, choose a slot that leaves you three to four upright hours before any long flight on the same day.
Should I choose underarm Botox or miraDry?
They work differently. Botox blocks the nerve signal for about six to twelve months and needs no recovery time before a flight. miraDry uses microwave energy on the glands in one to two sessions three months apart, with two to three days before flying. Your timeline and preference decide.
Will I sweat more elsewhere after underarm Botox?
Compensatory sweating, where other body areas sweat more, is mainly reported after sympathectomy, a nerve-cutting operation for hyperhidrosis (Chudry, 2021). Botulinum toxin acts only on the injected skin and leaves the nerves elsewhere untouched. Tell the clinic if you notice a new sweating pattern.
Which toxin tier suits sweat treatment?
All three tiers are botulinum toxin type A: a Korean toxin, XEOMIN by Merz and BOTOX Cosmetic by Allergan. The price list does not rank them for sweating. The choice comes down to budget and to any product you have had before without problems.
What causes excessive underarm sweating?
In primary hyperhidrosis, the nerves that control the sweat glands are overactive, and it tends to start in the teens or early adulthood and run in families. Sweating that starts suddenly, at night or all over the body can have another cause and should be checked by a doctor first.
Will my insurance cover hyperhidrosis Botox in Korea?
We cannot say whether your insurer will cover treatment abroad, as policies differ on hyperhidrosis and on overseas care. Check with your provider before you travel. An itemized receipt listing the area treated and the toxin used can be requested for any claim.
Why does the clinic suggest treatment before summer?
Because the effect lasts about six to twelve months, timing one of the year's one or two treatments a few weeks before summer means the driest period falls in the hottest months. Allow three to seven days for the effect to start before an important trip or event.
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Great experience! Dr. is very sweet and kind. He listened to what I wanted to fix and correct. He explained everything very well. Wasn’t pushy and didn’t try to sell anything extra. This isn’t a clinic that comes out on instagram, which I…
Jennifer LyuA month agoI came to Enter Plastic Surgery on a friend’s recommendation for under-eye fat repositioning. I was pretty nervous going in, but the doctor took the time to explain what would work for my under-eyes, what the procedure involved, and what…
Michael2 months agoThe staff are incredibly friendly, and the consultation was very thorough. I was very worried since it was my first procedure, but the director explained the aftercare in detail, so I felt completely confident trusting them!!
ROOHEUI SHIN (RHS)2 months ago · Translated by Google