FAQ

Our bodies produce sweat to help cool us down when we’re overheated.

Underarm sweat is produced through two types of sweat glands located just below the surface of the skin. The eccrine glands secrete a clear, odorless fluid to help cool the body. The apocrine glands produce a thicker fluid that gives underarm sweat its distinctive odor.

Some people have overactive sweat glands, meaning they frequently turn on when they should be at rest, and they produce much more sweat than what’s needed to cool the body. Some people’s sweat glands can produce four or five times more sweat than normal.

Not in the least. It’s a condition that affects millions of people. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans says they sweat excessively.1
1 Data on file.

If you answer yes to any of the following, the miraDry procedure may be right for you.

• Does your underarm sweat make you feel embarrassed?
• Does underarm sweat interfere with your daily activities?
• Do you frequently apply antiperspirant?
• Do you worry someone will notice your sweat stains?
• Do you change your clothes more than once a day due to underarm sweat?
• Do you wear fabrics, colors and styles of clothes that do not show sweat easily?
• Are you frustrated over constantly ruining clothes?

The miraDry procedure is a safe, clinically proven, FDA-cleared solution for significantly reducing underarm sweat. The procedure is quick, non-invasive, and performed in your physician’s office.

The miraDry system delivers precisely controlled electromagnetic energy to the region where the underarm sweat glands reside, which heats the sweat glands and eliminates them for good.

Your physician customizes the treatment for each underarm, based on where your sweat glands reside. The underarms are numbed prior to the procedure for your comfort. Your physician then holds the miraDry handpiece up to the underarms, which delivers energy to the sweat glands. Watch this video to see the miraDry procedure in action.

The procedure usually takes about an hour. Two procedures are recommended, three months apart, to maximize the quality and duration of results.

Most patients experience little pain because the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. During the procedure, most people experience some pressure and light pulling on the skin, with some sensations of warmth. There may be an occasional “hot spot” that lasts briefly but is usually well tolerated. On average, patients describe the discomfort as about a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest).

Alternative options, including antiperspirants and toxins, aim to temporarily disable the sweat glands for varying lengths of time – requiring repeat treatments to maintain effectiveness. Other options involve surgery, which poses inherent risks. miraDry is the only treatment that provides lasting results in a non-invasive way. Compare miraDry to other treatment options.

You can expect minimal to no downtime after the procedure. Your physician will likely recommend a mild over-the-counter pain medication and the use of ice packs for a few days. You should be able to return to normal activities or work right after the procedure, and you can usually resume exercise within several days.

Most patients report a dramatic, lasting reduction of their underarm sweat. In a recent clinical study, the average underarm sweat reduction was 82%2. You should notice a reduction in sweat immediately after treatment. As with any medical procedure, results will vary by person.
2 Data on file.

Some localized soreness or swelling is normal, and typically clears within a few weeks. Some patients have temporary, short-term altered sensation in the skin of their underarms or upper arms, which gradually disappears. You should talk with your miraDry physician about any potential side effects.

No. The underarm sweat glands don’t grow back or regenerate once they’ve been removed.

Yes! Because the sweat glands don’t grow back, patients experience a significant and lasting reduction of underarm sweat.

Actually, no. Your body contains over four million sweat glands, and only about 2% of them are in your underarms. Eliminating this 2% does not affect your body’s ability to cool itself.

No. When sweat glands are removed from the underarms, you simply stop sweating in that area. So don’t worry – your body won’t start sweating more in other areas to “compensate” or anything like that.

No. miraDry cannot be used to treat excessive sweating in other areas of the body, such as hands, feet, forehead, or knees.

Yes! The miraDry procedure is FDA-cleared and has been performed successfully on thousands of patients, and it’s been proven to be highly safe and effective.

If embarrassing underarm sweat outbreaks, stained clothing, or frequent antiperspirant application interfere with your daily life, then you may be a good candidate for the miraDry procedure. Talk with your physician to see if miraDry is right for you. Note that miraDry is indicated for use of treatment of excessive underarm sweat (primary axillary hyperhidrosis) in adults 18 and over.