If you’ve been considering excessive sweating treatments in the Worcester area, request a cosmetic consultation online to learn more about miraDry or call us at 508-754-3823 in Worcester or 978-256-4151 in Chelmsford to schedule an appointment.
What Is miraDry?
Sweating is the body’s natural cooling system. For most people, sweat glands respond when the body is overheated or when stressful situations trigger adrenaline. Some people, however, have overactive sweat glands in the underarm areas that produce much more sweat than the body needs. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) isn’t unusual — as many as 1 in 5 people experience the condition.
miraDry is an outpatient treatment that disables the underarm sweat glands without surgical incisions by using targeted electromagnetic energy. It is the only non-invasive procedure cleared by the FDA to reduce underarm sweating permanently. Because it’s non-invasive, there is little to no downtime after the treatment.
Who Can Benefit From miraDry?
Virtually anyone bothered by underarm sweat is a candidate for miraDry treatments, not only people who suffer from hyperhidrosis. You should consider miraDry as a solution if you are:
- Bothered by underarm sweat
- Tired of underarm stains and lingering odor in shirts
- Tired of feeling sticky and smelly at day’s end
Some patients don’t like the chemicals used in antiperspirants and deodorants and undergo the miraDry procedure to avoid having to use those products. Many patients have to change clothes more than once a day because of excessive sweating or try to avoid social or professional situations in which they may have to raise their arms.
The miraDry Experience
Each miraDry procedure is customized to target the precise areas where your sweat glands are located. Markings help ensure the hand-held treatment device is placed in the correct location. A local anesthetic numbs your underarms before the treatment begins. The heat generated by electromagnetic energy permanently eliminates the sweat glands. Treating both underarms usually takes about an hour.
Some patients are surprised that eliminating the underarm sweat glands is safe. Those glands actually comprise only 2% of the body’s total number of sweat glands, so your body’s natural physiological response to overheating isn’t affected.
miraDry is designed specifically to treat underarm sweating and isn’t cleared to treat sweat glands in other areas of the body.
miraDry Alternatives
miraDry is the only non-invasive treatment that is FDA-cleared to permanently reduce underarm sweating. Other options to control excessive sweating include:
- Antiperspirants and deodorants: People who sweat excessively often have to reapply these products several times a day. This approach temporarily disables sweat glands but is not a long-term solution.
- BOTOX®: which most people associate with anti-wrinkle treatments, is approved by the FDA to treat hyperhidrosis. We offer this option, which is less costly in the short term but is also temporary. The results last about 6 to 7 months, and follow-up treatments are necessary to continue controlling underarm sweating.
- Surgery: Surgical removal of the sweat glands is a permanent solution for hyperhidrosis, but it involves an increased risk of complications.
Recovery & Results
Many patients get the desired results after a single treatment, but some will need a second treatment three months or more apart to achieve their desired amount of permanent sweat reduction. If a second treatment is needed it is significantly discounted.
In many cases, patients can return immediately to work or their other normal daily activities. A mild, over-the-counter pain reliever may be used to help you remain comfortable and to minimize swelling. Ice packs also help.
We recommend taking a couple days off from strenuous exercise. You will notice the results immediately, and any side effects, such changes in the sensation of the treatment areas, are temporary.