Botox or Botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, yeah, we know, sounds totally nasty, kind of makes you sweat just thinking about it. By the way, it is also one of the most lethal and poisonous materials that exists. Despite of the previous, plastic surgeons and other specialists use it in tiny doses to stop muscle spasms and most commonly to smooth out aging by paralyzing the muscles on faces. The end result of too much botox is a mask-like plastic face where the smiles of users can become stiff and unnatural, as well as unattractive. Proof of this plastic face phenomenon exists with Madonna. View her latest interviews and you’ll see a face that’s a little less human as well as humane.

Botox is used to treat many things, here’s a short list:

• disorders that cause repeated muscle twitching.
• exaggerated blinking
• crossed eyes
• migraine headaches
• certain pain disorders

In the last five years or so, excessive sweating, otherwise known as hyperhidrosis, has been added to the list of Botox treatable conditions. While people sweat and perspire to cool themselves when it is hot outside or too calm the body during certain emotional states, such as nervousness, people with excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis experience extreme perspiration separate from these factors. This phantom sweating is physically and socially uncomfortable as it becomes a force unto itself that is out of the control of the person and often times shows up randomly during their lives.

Hyperhidrosis occurs in about 3 percent of the world’s population. Both men and women are affected by hyperhidrosis and most often under the arms and on the palms and feet.

Extra-strength hyperhidrosis antiperspirants and pills are usually the remedy of choice. They treat excessive sweating by temporarily reducing sweat production at the level of the sweat glands. These antiperspirants for excessive sweating can have side effects such as a dry mouth, eyes, skin-irritation and itching. There’s even a surgery called sympathectomy that can prevent sweating by severing the nerves that signal the sweat glands. This surgery however, has many risks and side effects and should only be considered in the most extreme of the extreme excessive sweating situations.

Narly Botox fights hyperhidrosis and excessive sweating by blocking a neurotransmitter that stimulates and activates the sweat glands, essentially paralyzing and freezing them for a period of up to eight months. The treatment, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved in 2004, involves several injections in the armpit. The procedure can be painful and expensive and is not recommended for the faint of heart.

Botox injections for hyperhidrosis is often a popular treatment for brides and grooms, as well as before prom or other formal events. It is also for people who experience excessive sweating which can be a source of embarrassment and can also ruin expensive clothing. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis often wear black or dark clothing to hide the possible sweat stains that may appear randomly and without warning.

So what do you do as a teenager with excessive sweating? Try out the antiperspirants that are specifically made for hyperhidrosis and excessive sweating first. Many are over the counter or can be had online, but most importantly, stay healthy and informed, as hyperhidrosis is a complicated health condition and should be dealt with on a case by case level.

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Excessive Sweating shouldn’t ruin your perfect prom or your amazingly spectacular prom dress and outfit (notice left image). For all of you future prom kings and queens we’re sharing some prom preparation secrets from some rather famous Hollywood stylists. Whether sweating causes occasional annoyance or stressed out horror, there are many treatments and tricks to curb and stop your perpsiration.

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a health problem with symptoms of extreme sweating above and beyond what’s considered necessary and usual to regulate your body temperature. About three percent of people suffer from excessive sweating. To put this in perspective, consider this: Approximately 4 million prom dresses are sold in the United States each year. Three percent of 4 million is 120,000. Each year 120,000 totally flaming prom dresses are potentially ruined by sweat stains. Humiliating sweaty prom moments might include: a sweaty face in photographs from dancing and ruined, runny make-up, clammy hands during slow dancing, and damp feet that slip out of dress shoes. Doesn’t sound ideal, does it?

Luckily for you, we have some sweat camouflage tips to help this year’s and future year’s prom goers to feel dry and confident, pre-party, after-party, and wherever the party goes to next. Whether a prom gal or guy suffers from hyperhidrosis or is just concerned with extra perspiration caused by stress, your nerves or the heat of the moment, the following tricks will enable you to be on your way to a sweat-free prom.

* Teenagers planning to go to prom start shopping for their dresses about 3 months prior to receiving the corsage and stepping into that limo. Prom goers should also look for skin and sweat care in advance. The right time to seek treatment for a sweating problem is about ten weeks prior to the big event. This way your dermatologist or doctor has time to evaluate your treatment and figure out what’s right for you and your perfect prom. Preparation and planning are always necessary in life as well as for your prom.

* A lot of teenagers who have a sweating problem use expensive Botox injections as a sure-fire sweat treatment. Botox? Isn’t just for celebrities or wrinkles anymore, it’s now also widely used to control sweating of the armpits, palms, feet, face, and every where else your body may sweat. In Hollyweird, before big awards shows such as the Emmys, many stars receive Botox injections to protect their gowns and tuxedo shirts from embarassing sweat stains. While you might not get on the cover of tabloids because of your sweating, sweating at prom can be a real bummer. Botox injections can be so effective that teenagers who never thought they were Botox-types may want to consider it for their big event, whatever that might be (prom, homecoming, etc.). Talk to a dermatologist about 10 weeks prior to your prom to see if Botox is right for you. However, the cost of Botox injections can be prohibitive and there can be some major side effects, it’s best used in extreme conditions.

* Of course, there are always antiperspirants which you can apply to your underarms once in the morning and again prior to bedtime. Application twice daily—and especially before bedtime—has been proven to be more effective. Extra strength antiperspirants may be used on hands, sometimes the facial area and feet as well as on the armpits. Massaging them slowly and gently into the skin is useful in most cases. Begin this new antiperspirant regiment as soon as possible to help get your sweat under control for spring parties and pre-prom functions. Think about purchasing stronger over-the-counter or online antiperspirants such as MegaDry Antiperspirant for excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis.

* Prom food: Delicious munchies at prom-related events are sure to be a minefield for your sweating. Here ares somethings to remember to steer way clear of: perspiration-causing hot foods, super caffeinated drinks (that’s right, no Red Bull, coffee or any of the other cracked drinks), and alcohol (who are we kidding, we know what prom’s like). Keeping your body and digestive system happy, clean and healthy will help you to stay clear-headed, confident, aroma-free and will also help to minimize your excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. Party to your health, your date, and of course yourself with cool sparkling water whenever possible. Hydration is mucho importante when it comes to regulating your sweating.

* One thing to think about for prom girls and guys: white and black solid colors are the best at hiding sweat marks and it’s just simply classic, but don’t be afraid to go creative with your look like the two above have…

* Choose your prom dress or tux for fun, fashion and comfort but also think about functionality. Wear under layers made of natural, thin fabrics that offer more air travel around the body and move away moisture from your skin. Girlfriends, if possible, try to avoid panty hose which can feel hot and induce sweating during dancing and other formal activities.

* Are you thinking about wearing something fresh with sleeves? Dress shields (small pads that go in your armpits to suck up sweat) could be in your future. Although they are called “dress shields” they work wonders in guy’s shirts, too. Dress shields may be a nervous and potentially sweaty prom king’s new best friend.

* Keep your feet cool and dry even in sexy sandals, heels, and other prom shoes by using sweat-absorbing and wicking insoles such as Summer Soles (available for men and women at www.summersoles.com.) Fun new colors and patterns won’t cramp your style and will probably find their way into your whole wardrobe.

* Store a handkerchief in your purse or pocket to absorb extra sweat on your palms prior to holding hands, or face prior to kissing or slow dancing.

* Carry a tiny bottle of antiperspirant (airplane-sized) in your pocket or purse for quick use prior to making your grand entrance anywhere.

* Try out regular stress-relieving activities in before of prom. Meditation, yoga or other exercises can help regulate your body and sweating, as exercise in general is a good regulator of your body’s functions. Practicing yoga and meditation with your significant other is a great way to bond and have fun together. You can buy a few yoga DVD’s and practice in your basement, living room or where ever you may excercise.

Lastly, remember, just have fun, as the time that you have with your friends and your significant other is what is important. With the above tips, your sweating or hyperhidrosis won’t have a chance at ruining your prom.

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But not going to Prom isn’t the end of prom.

Non-Muslim school friends that you have are probably really wishing for your presence at the big dance. Obviously because they don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to be part one of the most important events of your youth and they try to build prom up for you. Even though these same friends know you don’t date, drink, do drugs, etc. they’re still trying to peer pressure you into coming, making you sweat more about everything. Below are some suggestions on dealing with these Prom problems and more…

1. You Have to Stay Your Ground and Do Not Budge

“I had to be very firm and have a very forward opinion on it,” says Amber Rehman, 21, about telling her friends she was not going to participate. “If I let myself, I could have been persuaded.”

“You have to keep in perspective that you’re a servant of Allah and Allah has placed great nobility, if you protect yourself from these things,” she adds.

Your strength and clarity about not going will take some time to sink in, but it will eventually give your friends a clear message: nothing they say or do will change your mind, period.

It should also be made clear that this is not a personal insult aimed at them. You are simply trying to maintain your Islamic principles, and you would not be able to do that in a Prom environment, that’s all.

You and they can still play baseball, go fishing, or hiking, but the Prom is just one activity, which you’ll have to skip.

2. Do Something Else on That Fateful Night

“We need to see Islam as a cool alternative, not a loser alternative,” says Shaema Imam, 22.

Once getting over the initial shock and disappointment of not going to the Prom, go to Plan B, check your options and don’t sweat about it.

Get a couple of your Muslim friends together (hopefully they aren’t going either) and plan to do something wild, crazy, and fun. And most importantly, do something memorable together.

And of course, Halal. The possibilities are endless.

“For the brothers if you have hockey they’ll come,” says Ali Shayan, 21, of Ottawa, Canada.

Sports are almost always a favorite for brothers. Think about it: while the guys at the Prom are sweating it out in uncomfortable, expensive tuxedos, and making almost complete fools of themselves on the dance floor, you could be skillfully ice skating in comfortable, cotton, hockey clothes with your non-Prom friends, scoring goals and looking really dignified.

For sisters, you could throw a totally wild and crazy all-sisters party at your place. Ask the men of your house to visit their friends for the night and have a party where you can wear all the make-up you want and be as crazy and insane as you want without having to “impress” the opposite sex in a too-expensive, revealing dress, uncomfortable heels and putting on a fake act.

It’s important to note that these alternatives are not meant to be “celebrations”. They are primarily a way to have Halal fun and to keep away from the Haram.

3. Plan Your Prom Alternatives Early

The sooner you decide not to go to the Prom, the better. This will give you more time to plan what you will be doing instead of prom. Plan something fun and memorable.

If a small party in your basement is way too simple to satisfy the Prom urge, plan a really fancy one with the works: fancy hotel, lush carpets, nice dresses, etc. Except this will be only a mother-daughter affair. Or a father-son affair.

It could be a family affair, but the sisters who observe Hijab won’t get to really have fun then, like wear make-up, style their hair, etc.

You can get those older rich brothers and sisters in the community to help you out with the funding. After all, you would be doing their kids (if they have any in their teens) a favor too.

If you’re living in a small community with few Muslims, planning in advance will give you the time to get in touch with a nearby Muslim community a few miles away. This way you can still spend Prom night with fellow Muslims, even if you’re community is small or apathetic.

4. Get in Touch with the Muslim Students’ Association

Muslim Students’ Associations (MSAs) play a very important role.

They should be one of key institutions in the community organizing activities. And since they are made up of young people, they should be involved with organizing a Muslim youth awards ceremony, for instance.

The advantage of hooking up with the MSAs is that you have better access to funds and spaces to hold activities.

As well, you would have the guidance of brothers and sisters who may have, in most cases if they grew up in North America, gone through the Prom experience themselves.

5. Think About Hanging Out with Your Family

It may sound strange to do this when the Prom is about being with your friends. But think about it.

For many, this could be one of the last happy occasions you have with your family before moving away to another city or state or province for college or university.

Prom night isn’t just about you finishing high school. It should also be a tribute to your parents for helping you through the experience, whether it was by taking care of your basic necessities, helping you with homework, or paying for expenses.

Use the money you were going to spend on a limousine, dress/tuxedo, or tickets to the Prom and spend it on your family, just to spend time with them.

While the Prom may seem hard to beat, there are alternatives out there. It requires creativity and intelligence.

If we start to see Islam’s rules about Halal and Haram as challenges instead of obstacles in our lives, we can surely find ways of having “good, clean, fun” without feeling left out or having to sacrifice our Islamic principles.

6. Do Not Play “Sour Grapes”

While it does require strength for many Muslim teens to say no to the peer pressure to go to prom and similar events, this is no excuse to look down on those who do not have that strength yet.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: A Muslim is a Muslim’s brother, he should not cheat him, nor tell him a lie, nor humiliate him. Everything owned by a Muslim is forbidden for another Muslim to take his property and his blood. Righteousness is an attribute of the heart. It is sufficient evil for a man even to look down on his Muslim brother with disdain (Tirmidhi).

It is by Allah’s Will and Mercy that you were able to resist going. Pray that your brothers and sisters are able to do the same.

7. Encourage Who You Can, Not To Go

By doing this, not only will you be enjoining the good and forbidding the evil. You can have more people in on the planning for a Muslim youth award’ ceremony at the end of the year, for instance.

Do this even after someone has gone to the Prom. Often times, people realize something is wrong after the fact. Discuss the issue with sincerity, wisdom and kindness.

It’s difficult to grow up different, but remember, there’s nothing to sweat about as everybody is the same on the inside, we all have the same desires and conflicts, keep that in mind when making difficult choices.

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Sequined sweaty prom dresses shining in the sun, and thirty young women wrapped their arms around one another for a moment and smiled with their sweaty faces into the camera. Some of these female brawlers had their hair in curls, some simply spruced up their wavy hair while others donned tiaras to go with their sports bras and prom dresses. All of this, of course, is for charity, but is a good cause really necessary? We think young women in prom dresses is inherently a beautiful, wondrous thing.

This UF Women’s Rugby squad, these proud, tough young ladies came onto the UVS Field one Saturday morning in 2008, clad in prom dresses, some tastefully altered and cleats, for its seventh annual Prom Rugby Charity Match. The sweaty female squad collected donations for Sunna, a program named for a Scandinavian sun goddess that aims to help women cope with cancer through the Shands at UF Cancer Center. Sweaty girls beating each other up for a good cause, how perfect…

Playing rugby in prom dresses does pose some difficulty, like we mentioned above, most of the girls had to lengthen the slits of their dresses or simply rip them off at the knees so that they could sprint and tackel with ease. By the end of the game, there wasn’t much much of the sweaty dresses left.

“In our seven years of prom rugby, I’ve never walked off at the end of the game with a dress still attached,” Belkin, one of the players said. Sounds absolutely perfect fun.

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