Struggling With Excessive Underarm Sweating? Try MiraDry!8 min read

Aesthetica Editorial Team

Whether or not you have a diagnosable case of hyperhidrosis, excessive underarm sweating can significantly impact your quality of life.

If excessive sweat keeps ruining your wardrobe or causes you to feel self-conscious, it’s time to explore miraDry!

What Causes Excess Sweating?

Sweating is a natural process through which the body regulates its temperature by releasing liquids through the sweat glands.

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that leads to excessive and unpredictable sweating.

When dealing with hyperhidrosis, sweating may occur even if your body temperature is low or you’re resting.

Hyperhidrosis has many causes, such as menopause, hyperthyroidism, and emotional disturbances (stress, fear, or anger).

The 2 Types of Hyperhidrosis

Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis

Primary focal hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweat from the feet, hands, face, head, and underarms.

Patients with primary focal hyperhidrosis have a 30-50% chance of passing it to their offspring.

Secondary Generalized Hyperhidrosis

Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is a side effect of medical conditions such as:

Adrenal gland disorders
Heart disease
Hyperthyroidism
Lung disease
Menopause
Parkinson’s
Spinal cord injuries
Stroke

Who is More Likely to Experience Underarm Sweat and Odor?

The odor you smell when sweating is a reaction between the bacteria on your skin and your sweat.

You may have noticed that the odor varies in pungence due to hormones, diet, medication, or medical conditions.

Our bodies have two sweat glands: the eccrine and apocrine glands.

The eccrine glands cover most of your body. They are responsible for cooling it down when reaching high temperatures due to effort or the environment surrounding you. These glands do not produce any smell.

The apocrine glands are responsible for the odor you smell when sweating, as they open into the hair follicles in the armpit and pubic area. They produce an odor when coming in contact with bacteria.

The pocrine glands only come into function when going through puberty, which is why there is no actual ‘sweat odor’ in pre-teens.

Because of the apocrine glands, men are more likely to experience body odor issues as they have more hair in the armpit area.

What is MiraDry?

For those experiencing excessive sweat, miraDry is the answer!

Many patients have tried prescription-strength deodorants and antiperspirants, which work for some. But such products only treat the symptoms of excessive sweat, whereas miraDry addresses the root cause!

During a miraDry procedure, a licensed healthcare practitioner uses thermal energy to permanently eliminate sweat glands. This one treatment reduces sweat, odor, and hair significantly!

Many patients experience a significant reduction in their underarm sweat following a single treatment. 82% of miraDry patients report sweat reduction after 12 months, while 88% are no longer bothered by odor!

That is because the sweat and odor glands are permanently gone once eliminated by miraDry!

MiraDry is the only non-surgical, FDA-cleared procedure to treat excessive sweat, with over 300,000 treatment sessions already completed globally.

Does MiraDry Work for Hyperhidrosis?

Yes!

Whether you’re experiencing primary focal or secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, miraDry’s elimination of underarm sweat glands will surely create a notable difference in sweat production and odor.

One question that comes to mind for some patients is whether the outright removal of underarm sweat glands is an unhealthy approach.

Underarm sweat glands account for only 1% of the body’s overall sweat glands. Your body will still be able to regulate its temperature!

3 Signs You Might Need MiraDry

You Sweat an Awful Lot

It’s self-explanatory—you sweat a lot!

The weather may not even be that warm, yet your armpits are awfully damp. Going to the gym is practically like bathing in your own armpit sweat!

You find yourself lifting and sniffing your arms more often than you should because you feel the wetness. Spring, summer, autumn, winter—it’s always sweat season for you!

You're Picky About the Clothes You Wear Because of Sweat

Do you avoid buying shirts and dresses because you know you’ll sweat in them?

Do you avoid light colors, pastels, or greys because you know how easy it is for sweat to show?

Do you pick and choose certain materials based on how breathable they are?

You should be able to wear your clothing feeling confident that you’re looking your best, not whether your sweat will ruin it!

No Deodorant Seems to Work

You’ve been through dozens of deodorant brands.

Crystal salts, sweat pads, prescription-strength anti-sweat deodorant—none get the job done.

4 Benefits of Choosing MiraDry over Other Sweat Reduction Treatments

Long-Lasting Results

Unlike antiperspirants or treatments that require regular maintenance, miraDry provides a permanent reduction in underarm sweat.

Once the sweat glands are eliminated, they do not regenerate, offering long-term relief and freedom from excessive perspiration!

Non-Invasive and Safe

MiraDry does not require incisions or downtime. It is performed in a medical office and typically takes about an hour to complete.

The treatment employs controlled electromagnetic energy to target sweat glands while safely cooling the surrounding tissue.

Comprehensive Solution

MiraDry offers a comprehensive solution for underarm sweat and odor concerns by eliminating sweat glands and reducing microbial activity.

This multi-faceted approach sets miraDry apart from treatments focusing solely on sweat reduction without addressing the accompanying odor.

Improved Confidence and Quality of Life

Excessive underarm sweating can significantly impact your daily life and self-esteem.

By reducing sweat and eliminating the need for ongoing management or worry about sweat stains, miraDry will help you regain your confidence and enjoy a higher quality of life!

MiraDry vs. BOTOX for Hyperhidrosis

Patients who have already researched hyperhidrosis treatments have probably heard that BOTOX is also an option for reducing excessive sweat.

Both BOTOX and miraDry boast unique approaches to hyperhidrosis, each with its pros and cons.

While miraDry eliminates the underarm sweat glands, BOTOX injections block the neurotransmitter that activates the sweat glands. In other words, your brain still tells your glands to produce sweat, but the message doesn’t come through.

An upside to BOTOX, for example, is that it is typically less expensive than a miraDry procedure.

However, the BOTOX approach to underarm sweat work makes it necessary to return for a new treatment every 7 to 16 months, adding to the expenses.

What Do the MiraDry Procedure and Recovery Look Like?

Since miraDry is non-surgical, the preparation and recovery processes are more straightforward than expected.

There are a few simple guidelines to follow before and after the procedure.

First, the underarms must be shaved 4 to 6 days before your appointment. The minimal hair growth before the procedure will help identify the underarm parts needing attention.

Next, do not wear any deodorant or antiperspirant before or on the day of your treatment.

When the day of treatment comes, pick a loose-fitting garment like a tank top, sports bra, or camisole. These will provide easy access to the treatment site and reduce underarm irritation after treatment.

After the procedure, which lasts approximately one hour, wrap ice packs in towels and apply them to the treated area.

Avoid exercise or rigorous activity for the first few days after the procedure. Continuing to wear loose-fitting tops will also help avoid irritation.

Missing these recovery steps will not reverse the effects of the procedure. Instead, it’s a matter of maximizing your comfort over the few days following your appointment.

Why am I Still Sweating After MiraDry?

Don’t hit the panic button if you’re still sweating after miraDry!

Some level of residual sweating post-procedure is typical and doesn’t mean the treatment has failed.

Here are 4 reasons why you might still be sweating after miraDry:

Natural Adjustment Period

Your body needs time to adjust after the procedure. The sweat glands haven’t all been eradicated, so you may still notice some sweating, which will decrease over time.

Inadequate Treatment Coverage

If the treated area was not sufficiently covered, some sweat glands might have been missed, contributing to continued sweating.

Secondary Sweating Areas

MiraDry specifically targets underarm sweat glands. If you have hyperhidrosis in other areas, such as your hands, feet, or face, you will still sweat in these regions.

Need for Additional Treatment Session

Some patients require multiple miraDry treatments to achieve their desired results. Consult with your plastic surgeon to assess whether additional sessions are necessary.

How Much Does MiraDry Cost?

The price of a MiraDry treatment plan varies depending on location, treatment area, and the provider’s skill.

You can expect the miraDry price to be between $2,000 and $3,000.

Start Your MiraDry Journey With Dr. Chang at Aesthetica!

Meet us at 19500 Sandridge Way, Suite 350, Leesburg, VA 20176, or call us at (703) 574-4342 for a complimentary consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Phillip Chang before moving forward with your procedure! If everything matches up, our team will help you navigate the entire process from beginning to end! Also, remember to check out our blog and social media for more information on cosmetic surgery trends!

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