miraDry
Sweating is a natural process our body uses to lower its temperature. When our bodies get warm, such as during exercise, the sweat glands in our pores emit sweat, which is comprised of mostly water and a little bit of salt and fat. As the sweat evaporates from our skin, it cools the body.
The underarms (“armpits”) tend to sweat the most for many people. Unfortunately, sweat can soak into our clothes under our arms, making it difficult to dry and causing sweat stains that are difficult to hide. In some cases, sweat can even lead to rashes and other skin irritations.
Body odor is another common concern when we sweat. There are natural bacteria on our skin that, when mixed with sweat, can cause an unpleasant smell known as body odor.
This natural process of sweating can be embarrassing in many social and professional situations. Some people sweat when they’re nervous, such as during a job interview or an important work presentation. Others sweat excessively even when they aren’t warm or exercising, which is a condition known as hyperhidrosis.
Fortunately, miraDry offers a solution to unwanted underarm sweating and the resulting body odor.
WHAT IS MIRADRY®?
miraDry is the only noninvasive, FDA-cleared treatment that will free you from the bothersome problems of underarm sweat and odor. By eliminating the sweat and odor glands with miraDry, you can feel confident that your underarms will remain dry in any situation.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MIRADRY®?
- Fast, nonsurgical treatment
- Immediate results
- Permanently reduces underarm sweat and odor
HOW DOES MIRADRY® WORK?
The handpiece from the miraDry System system uses proprietary miraWave electromagnetic energy that targets the sweat and odor glands in your underarms. This energy causes thermolysis, which heats and destroys the glands.
Once those glands are destroyed, they do not grow back. That means once they are gone, they are gone for good, giving you confidence that your underarms will remain dry in any situation.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A MIRADRY® PROCEDURE
At your appointment, you will be shown to the treatment room and asked to lie back in the treatment chair. Tumescent local anesthesia will be used to numb your underarms, and we will mark your skin with a temporary tattoo that maps the treatment area. Next, the miraDry device will be passed over your skin to deliver electromagnetic miraWave energy and eliminate the sweat glands.
The entire miraDry treatment process takes about an hour.
DOES THE MIRADRY® PROCEDURE HURT?
Because the underarm area is completely numbed prior to treatment, patients should experience little to no pain or discomfort.
HOW MANY MIRADRY® TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
On average, over 80 percent of the sweat glands are eliminated with a single miraDry treatment. Because of this, most patients need just one miraDry treatment to achieve ideal results.
Some patients with significant excess sweating choose to undergo two sessions. If you undergo two treatments, they will be spaced three months apart.
The number of miraDry sessions needed to achieve your desired results will depend on the extent of your underarm sweating. The amount of sweat reduction you desire should be discussed at your consultation, during which we will advise you on how many sessions you would benefit from most.
WILL I NEED DOWNTIME TO RECOVER AFTER MIRADRY®?
After your treatment, you can resume your daily activities without worrying about needing downtime. However, intense exercise and shaving should be avoided for several days to reduce underarm irritation.
WILL MY MIRADRY® RECOVERY BE PAINFUL?
The majority of patients do not experience pain after miraDry. You can use cold compresses on your underarms and take nonsteroidal pain relievers as needed to help alleviate any irritation or discomfort you might experience after miraDry treatment.
CAN I WEAR DEODORANT AFTER MIRADRY®?
Most patients can stop wearing deodorant and antiperspirants right away, as they no longer have issues with sweat and odor in their armpits. If you wish to use these products, wait 48 to 72 hours after treatment before doing so.
WHEN WILL I SEE MY RESULTS FROM MIRADRY®?
You can expect to have an immediate reduction in your underarm sweat after your miraDry procedure.
HOW LONG DOES MIRADRY® LAST?
Sweat glands don’t grow back after miraDry treatment, so you should experience results that last indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
About miraDry
HOW MUCH IS THE MIRADRY® PROCEDURE IN ST. LOUIS?
The average cost of miraDry is $2,000 for the first treatment, and the total cost may be up to $4,500. The cost of your treatment will depend on the number of sessions you undergo and the size of your treatment area.
At the end of your consultation at Ridenour Plastic Surgery, we will provide you with your specific miraDry price.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR MIRADRY®?
miraDry is approved for the treatment of primary axillary (underarm) hyperhidrosis in adults 18 years of age and older. Maturity and ultimate growth and development of the individual are recommended before undergoing the miraDry procedure.
If you are bothered by persistent underarm sweat and odor and have tried every off-the-shelf solution imaginable with little to no results, then miraDry may be right for you!
WHO SHOULD NOT GET MIRADRY®?
This treatment is not recommended for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding or have an active infection, significant scarring or irritation in the treatment area. Those who use a pacemaker or another type of electronic implant also should not get miraDry. Patients taking certain medications, such as Accutane, may not be candidates until they’ve been off the medication for at least six months.
During your consultation, talk to Dr. Ridenour about any health issues and medications you are currently taking. He will evaluate you and your concerns to determine if miraDry is right for you.
DOES MIRADRY® GET RID OF UNDERARM HAIR?
Although it is designed to target the sweat glands, miraDry can also heat and damage the hair follicles in the area. It has been shown to eliminate up to 70 percent of underarm hair, making hair removal a secondary benefit of miraDry.
Men can rest assured that miraDry will not leave their underarms patchy from hair removal. This treatment will thin out the hair evenly rather than leaving certain areas with hair loss.
IS MIRADRY® SAFE?
To date, miraDry has been performed successfully in over 95,000 treatments worldwide with an excellent safety record and amazing results! This treatment hasn’t been shown to cause any damage or negative side effects to the blood vessels, nerves or lymph nodes in the underarms.
DO I NEED THE SWEAT GLANDS ELIMINATED WITH MIRADRY® TO COOL MY BODY?
Your body contains two to four million sweat glands. The underarms contain just two percent of the total sweat glands on the body, meaning your body has plenty of other sweat glands that sufficiently work to cool your body when needed. Eliminating the glands in the armpits will not cause your body to overheat from being unable to sweat.
DOES MIRADRY® MAKE YOU SWEAT MORE IN OTHER PLACES?
No, eliminating sweat glands from the underarms will not cause you to sweat more from other areas of the face or body.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF MIRADRY®?
Temporary and minor side effects of miraDry may include underarm swelling, soreness, nodularity (a bumpy appearance), redness and tingling. If you experience any of these, they should resolve within a few days of your treatment. On rare occasions, swelling and soreness have lasted a few weeks but resolved on their own over time.
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At Ridenour Plastic Surgery, it’s our mission to help you feel confident, comfortable and beautiful in your own skin. To learn more about miraDry or schedule a consultation, contact or call board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Brock D. Ridenour and his team in St. Louis, Missouri, at (314) 501-7946 today.
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