miraDry
TEXT US NOW TO ASK ABOUT MIRADRY
Get 15% off when you mention “STAY DRY”
(415) 567-7000
Treating underarm odor with the miraDry system
Concerned about excessive underarm sweat and odor? MiraDry® is clinically proven to eliminate these problems for good. This FDA-cleared treatment is so effective that many San Francisco Bay Area patients go deodorant- and antiperspirant-free following treatment. In addition to reducing underarm sweating, miraDry® also removes underarm hair of all colors.
miraDry® is an FDA-cleared device that uses microwave energy to eliminate underarm sweat glands to treat axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating). miraDry® consists of a console, handpiece and single-use bioTip™. The handpiece has four antennae that deliver precise microwave energy to the dermal-fat interface where most sweat glands are located. The microwaves heat the sweat and odor glands to over 140°F, which causes them to die off. Once the glands are gone, they’re gone for good!
The bioTip™ delivers hydroceramic cooling to protect the skin while microwave energy reaches the areas of your armpits where the sweat glands are concentrated. Because many sweat glands connect to hair follicles, this treatment also damages the follicles. As a result, patients experience a gradual reduction in underarm hair in the months after treatment.
How It Is Done
Your provider first locates your sweat glands using the starch-iodine test. This involves painting disinfected armpits with iodine and brushing them slightly with starch. After a couple of minutes, and as you start to sweat, the area where your sweat glands are located will turn a dark color.
The provider will then draw a circle around this area, wipe it clean and draw a grid to mark the locations of the sweat glands. After this, you will receive a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, to help numb the treatment area.
Once your armpits are numb, your provider will guide the device’s handpiece over the treatment area and deliver different levels of energy. The upper portions of your underarms have thinner skin and are treated with lower levels of energy to avoid damage to underlying nerves.
The procedure takes around one hour. There’s usually little to no downtime. You may need to undergo a repeat treatment three months after the initial one.
miraDry® Preparation
If you are a good candidate for the miraDry® treatment, we will give you detailed and personalized instructions on how to prepare during one of your appointments. As a rule of thumb, we tell our patients to:
- Shave their underarm area four to six days before their scheduled procedure. This is to help us in locating sweat glands.
- Wear a loose-fitting tank top on the day of the procedure.
- Take 400mg of ibuprofen with food two hours before the procedure. This is to help with pain and swelling after the procedure.
- Purchase an antiseptic to cleanse the skin in the days leading up to and following your treatment.
miraDry® is an outpatient procedure, so you can plan to drive yourself back home. There’s also no need to take time off from work.
miraDry® Aftercare
After the procedure, we will give you ice packs wrapped in gauze to place under your arms for 20 minutes. We will also instruct you to take over-the-counter pain relievers in the following days to manage discomfort.
Many miraDry® patients experience mild swelling and pain for up to three days. You should clean the area with the recommended antiseptic and avoid using deodorant or wearing tight-fitting shirts to help the area heal.
Am I a Good Candidate for miraDry®?
Most adults bothered by underarm sweating can get miraDry®. However, this procedure is ideal for those diagnosed with axillary hyperhidrosis, especially when other approaches like antiperspirants, Botox injections, laser treatment or surgery have failed.
You may not be a good candidate for miraDry® if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have an active infection
- are taking or have recently taken Accutane
- have underarm cysts
- tend to develop keloid scars
- are allergic to local anesthetics
- have a pacemaker
FAQs
Is miraDry® safe?
MiraDry has a strong safety record. Some people experience side effects, such as localized soreness or swelling, which typically clear within a few weeks. Some patients develop short-term altered sensation in the skin of their underarms or upper arms, which gradually improves.
Is miraDry® effective?
Research involving 31 treated patients found a 90 percent efficiency rate that persisted after 12 months with this procedure. On average, the patients’ sweating was reduced by 82 percent. The satisfaction and efficiency rate was even higher at 18 months follow-up.
Don’t I need sweat glands?
The miraDry® system eliminates sweat glands in your underarm area only. These sweat glands make up only two percent of all the sweat glands in your body, so this treatment won’t compromise your body’s ability to sweat and cool down.
Can I have miraDry® after laser hair removal?
Yes! We can perform this procedure even if you’ve had laser hair removal in the past. In fact, miraDry® can improve the results of laser hair removal.
Can miraDry® be used on hands or feet?
This procedure is currently only approved for underarm sweating as microwave technology can potentially damage nerves, blood vessels and other important structures. Because these structures are closer to the skin’s surface on hands and feet than the underarms, miraDry® isn’t appropriate in these areas.
Can miraDry® cause nerve damage?
Long-lasting but not permanent nerve damage is a potential complication of miraDry®. But, this is rare. Patients with a lower body mass are at greater risk of temporary nerve damage after this procedure.
How many miraDry® treatments will I need?
You can notice results in as little as one treatment, although most patients require at least two visits. Your Appearance Care Center™ provider will determine the best protocol for your expected results.
Is there any downtime?
Most patients need minimal downtime and return to regular activity almost immediately. You can resume exercise as soon as the swelling and pain subside, which should happen within the first week.
How much does miraDry® cost?
Pricing for miraDry® can vary depending on your specific treatment protocol and will be discussed during your consultation.
Book an Appointment
Contact the Appearance Care Center™ for an initial consultation by reaching out here or by dialing (415) 567-7200. You will meet with Dr. Corey S. Maas or one of our trained providers to discuss your concerns and goals. Our medical team will carefully check your medical history and ask you questions to see if you’re a good candidate for miraDry®. We may offer alternatives like Laser Hair Removal.
