Facial hyperhidrosis and facial blushing are different problems but often a person doesn’t get one without the other. Facial hyperhidrosis is excessive facial sweating normally starting around the brow. Facial blushing is the warmth and reddening of the face that often results from emotional stimuli, as opposed to environmental stimuli. The heat associated with facial blushing can lead to intense sweating on the face, but this is not always the case.

If you suffer from facial hyperhidrosis, facial blushing, or a combination of the two, the remedy is usually the same. Facial hyperhidrosis or facial blushing can be set off by extreme heat or even spicy foods. Avoiding these things can cut down on facial hyperhidrosis and facial blushing to some degree, but often they will occur with no outside or internal stimuli such as nervousness or embarrassment. If this is the case, a permanent solution will be necessary to cure facial hyperhidrosis.

Anti-perspirants can be partly effective for facial hyperhidrosis or facial blushing, but they are difficult to apply on face. If you suffer from facial hyperhidrosis on the brow or upper lip, you need to find an anti-perspirant that is both transparent and odorless. Unfortunately, this is often not the case—many anti-perspirants will only work with a heavy application. This is especially true if your facial hyperhidrosis is particularly extreme.

anti-perspirants work by blocking pores so sweat cannot be released. Contrary to popular belief, anti-perspirants do not actually stop perspiration—they merely block sweat like a dam. In extreme cases of facial hyperhidrosis, anti-perspirants can become quickly overwhelmed. anti-perspirants are by and large a temporary solution for minor types of facial sweating or facial blushing. In addition, aluminum chloride anti-perspirants can dry out skin significantly so it is recommended that the anti-perspirant be combined with a moisturizer. When you combine anti-perspirant, moisturizer, and possibly make-up, it can be come cumbersome and even unsightly.

Botox is sometimes prescribed for facial hyperhidrosis, but this has side effect of freezing the skin in place—causing immobility and a lack of expression. The other alternative to cure facial hyperhidrosis is to actually stop sweat production. The common method is to sever the nerves in the sympathetic nervous system, so the communication between the brain and sweat glands is cut off. The surgery—called ETS—is the only alternative for those suffering from the most severe cases of facial hyperhidrosis or facial blushing.