miraDry® (Anti-sweating Therapy)

A special applicator is placed in a series of marked locations over the armpit. It sucks the numbed skin up until it meets a cooling plate which protects the skin’s surface. Microwave energy is then applied and this focuses specifically on the level where the large sweat glands sit in the armpit. These are irreversibly damaged. Sweat glands do not regenerate once they have been destroyed. Most people will therefore notice an immediate reduction in sweating.

miraDry is a non-surgical treatment that produces long-term reduction in sweating and odour of the armpits. Often it is a single treatment, although some people will need a second one 3 months later.

miraDry is done after application of local anaesthetic injections so there will be some swelling and possibly some bruising due to this as well as the treatment. There may be some discomfort after the local anaesthetic wears off which subsides over subsequent days. It will also tend to reduce hair growth in this area which many would consider a side-benefit.

It takes about an hour for the treatment.

If you have hair in the area, you should shave this a few days prior to the treatment. Local anaesthetic is injected into the armpit area using a special injection device which reduces the discomfort of the injections and makes the area numb for the treatment and for many hours after. A template/transfer is applied to the skin which allows the nurse to follow the treatment pattern over the area. The handpiece of the machine gently sucks the skin up to meet a cooling plate and then the microwave energy is focused to the depth of the sweat glands which are immediately affected and will then stop producing sweat.

For many, just one treatment is required, but for some, a small touch up treatment is needed after 3 months.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia after the sweating area is measured and a stencil is applied to mark out the area. These marks are temporary.

There will be some swelling and discomfort when the local anaesthetic wears off, however most find over-the-counter analgesics and covered icepacks provide sufficient relief. Occasionally, some lumps or bands may be felt under the skin. These will gradually subside. Some localised numbness or tingling may also be noticed temporarily, fading over days to weeks. Some skin types may notice some temporary colour change. Some permanent hair loss may occur.

If you have some skin tags or large moles in the armpits, it is best to have these removed before the miraDry® procedure.

The local anaesthetic injected prior to the treatment also lifts the skin away from deeper nerves reducing the possibility of nerve damage. No permanent nerve damage has been produced by the treatment.

Patients are provided with cool packs and it is good to alternate a cool pack under the armpit with one in the freezer for some hours after the procedure. This reduces swelling. It is recommended to wear loose clothing and not engage in strenuous exercise for a few days, depending on your tolerance.