(Photo : Getty Images/Angela Weiss/AFP)
US model Amelia Gray Hamlin attends the Victoria's Secret New York Fashion Week kickoff event celebrating Victoria's Secret The Tour '23, at the Manhattan Center in New York City on September 6, 2023.

Amelia Gray Hamlin revealed she had Botox injected into her armpits to combat sweating.

On Thursday, the model took to Instagram to share a photo of her getting Botox treatment in her underarms at what appeared to be a clinic in Los Angeles.

In the snap, which was obtained by the Daily Mail, Hamlin can be seen gazing at the camera with her arms raised above her head as a woman administered Botox into her armpits.

"When in LA... we get Botox in the pits," the television personality, who has more than 1.5 million followers as of writing, captioned the photo, which showed her posing in a black bra and jeans. 

According to the 22-year-old influencer, Botox is a "healthier alternative to deodorant" as it "can't clog" glands with "toxins."

Is Botox safe?

According to Healthline, Botox is a neurotoxin derived from the microbes responsible for botulism, which is a form of food poisoning.

However, when administered by a medical professional in appropriate doses, it is considered safe.

While it is primarily recognized as a cosmetic treatment to reduce wrinkles, Botox also serves medical purposes. Physicians utilize Botox to address neuromuscular ailments such as migraines and muscle spasms.

Those who opt for Botox in their armpits aim to alleviate the effects of hyperhidrosis or abnormal and excessive sweating.

Are Botox injections in the armpits effective in treating sweating?

Botox, as per an article published by the Cleveland Clinic, effectively curbs armpit sweat, reducing underarm moisture by 82% to 87%. The resulting dryness usually persists for three to 12 months.

Consequently, this reduction in moisture also leads to a decrease in body odor since the pungent smell generated by sweaty armpits stems from bacteria thriving in warm, moist environments. Eliminating the moisture means eliminating the odor as well, according to the non-profit academic medical center.

Healthline, meanwhile, reported that studies showed varying results on the effectiveness of Botox in decreasing armpit sweating.

Despite this, Botox has gained approval for treating underarm sweating due to substantial evidence reportedly indicating it can reduce sweat production in the armpits by over 50% for at least six months.

Is deodorant toxic?

Hamlin claimed that Botox is a healthier alternative for deodorants, alleging that the latter contains "toxins."

According to an article published by Penn Medicine, rumors about the health effects of deodorant include an alleged connection between antiperspirants and breast cancer, kidney diseases or allergies. Some reportedly believe that chemicals in deodorants can be absorbed through the skin.

The speculation posits that toxins might accumulate in the lymph nodes and cause healthy cells to turn cancerous.

However, according to the world-renowned academic medical center, the American Cancer Society refuted these claims, stating they lack solid scientific evidence.

The National Kidney Foundation warned only individuals with severely weakened kidney functions about potential risks from antiperspirant use.