Around 3% of the population experiences excessive sweating that interferes with their daily life. Genetics, other health conditions or medication side effects can cause hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is the official medical name for high-volume sweating. Regardless of its cause, those who live with this condition face unique challenges with sweat and odour. These sweating episodes are a source of stress, and can often factor into social, wardrobe or activity choices. Thankfully, since 2011, an excellent treatment for hyperhidrosis has been made available in more than 50 countries. It’s called miraDry®.
miraDry® is the world’s first comprehensive treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. This life-changing treatment has a satisfaction rate of 90%. It has given people with excessive sweating the confidence to go where they please, and wear what they want. If you’re currently a person who deals with the challenges of hyperhidrosis, it may be worth seeking treatment and gaining freedom through miraDry®.
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How Miradry® Works
miraDry® is a non-surgical procedure that treats excessive sweating by using microwave technology to safely destroy sweat and odour glands. By blocking sweat for the long term, miraDry® restores people’s confidence and freedom. The treatment only takes about 1.5 hours to complete (after about 1 hour of prep). Sometimes two or three treatments are needed. Patients see up to 82% sweat reduction as a result.
miraDry® should only be administered in a medical clinic run by certified physicians.
A doctor applies local anesthesia to the armpit area before beginning the treatment. They then mark the area to be treated with a temporary tattoo, to clearly define the treatment area. Then, they use a special handheld device that directly targets the underarm sweat glands, without reaching lymph nodes. The device sends electromagnetic energy underneath the skin to remove sweat and odour glands by heat in a process called thermolysis. The top layer of skin is cooled in the process.
The targeted sweat glands should not grow back after the treatment. The effects can be nearly instantaneous, though full effects can take 2 to 3 months.
Check out this video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ght-QB1oJz4
Eliminate Sweat, Odour and Hair All at Once with Miradry®
In 2015, the FDA cleared miraDry® to state that it permanently eliminates underarm hair, as well as zapping sweat and odour glands.
- Sweat: As noted above, miraDry® is FDA cleared as an underarm sweating treatment. However, its benefits don’t stop there!
- Odour: miraDry® has also been approved to neutralize the odour-causing glands in the armpit. While sweat glands produce water, odour glands are the source of the strong smell that is often associated with sweat. People who experience excessive odor of the armpit have a condition called axillary osmidrosis. miraDry® can target these odour-causing glands that produce the salt that bacteria feed on, taking unpleasant smells out of the equation.
- Hair: The miraDry® device that your physician uses to eliminate sweat glands can also be used to remove armpit hair. When it’s used in this way, it’s called miraSmooth®. By zapping hair roots, the device stops them from growing back, saving people the time and cost of personal upkeep. Of course, laser hair removal is nothing new. But with a miraDry® treatment, hair of any colour, on any skin tone, can be reduced. Sometimes, laser hair removal is still needed, since miraDry® may not get rid of all underarm hairs.
Side Effects Of Miradry®
Side effects of miraDry® are minimal. If they occur at all, they can include swelling, redness, tingling or numbing in the treatment area. This usually goes away in 2 to 3 months. In some cases, infections can also occur. A good practitioner will take measures to prevent this, and will be ready to treat it promptly, if it happens.
To manage any possible discomfort after the procedure, over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs can be used (speak to a doctor first, however). Many patients go back to work or normal activities right after getting treatment. After a few days, most discomfort should subside. However, it’s best to seek the services of a clinic that will allow you to contact a physician for immediate help, if you need it.
Does miraDry® affect your ability to sweat healthily? No. Those with excessive sweating problems already perspire too much. Plus, we have roughly 2 million sweat glands in our entire bodies. Our armpits contain about 2% of those. After a miraDry® treatment, sweat can be released through other body parts.
Limitations Of Miradry®
As of yet, miraDry® isn’t approved to help with hyperhidrosis in the groin, hands, feet or other body areas. However, there may be treatments available in the future, using similar technologies. Until that day comes, Botox® is a functional alternative that provides relief in these areas, for months at a time. Sweating medications may also be an option, though this is a discussion to have with your doctor.
About The Author
Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skincare Clinic is a doctor-led clinic offering viable treatments for hyperhidrosis that can greatly improve quality of life. This includes miraDry® axillary (armpit) hyperhidrosis and Botox® for palmar (hands), plantar (feet) and axillary (armpit) hyperhidrosis.