New Treatment For Excessive Underarm Sweating

By Phillip J. Chang, MD

Aesthetica Cosmetic Sugery & Laser Center

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New Treatment For Excessive Underarm Sweating

Excessive sweating can be both physically and emotionally debilitating. Known as “hyperhidrosis,” the condition can have a tremendously negative impact on a person's quality of life.

It is estimated that one in five adults has excessive underarm sweating, or “axillary hyperhidrosis.” Axillary hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which the underarm sweat glands are overactive, producing much more sweat than is needed to cool the body.

People with this condition often suffer silently. They are ashamed, frustrated, and embarrassed because excessive underarm sweat interferes with many aspects of their lives. In fact, a large consumer survey found that people who suffer from excessive underarm sweating find it to be more embarrassing than being overweight or having acne, cold sores or dandruff.

Many people who experience excessive underarm sweating constantly reapply antiperspirant in an effort to control their sweating and odor. Some people change their shirts multiple times a day due to embarrassing sweat stains.

Some people limit their social life to prevent embarrassment. For example, a young woman may decline an invitation to be a bridesmaid for fear that a sleeveless or light-colored gown would expose her underarm sweat. Or, a sufferer may choose not to participate in sports because physical activity induces excessive sweating and an offensive odor. Many sufferers even avoid intimacy for fear that their excessive sweat will repel their partners.

Until now, axillary hyperhidrosis treatments were short-term or not meaningfully effective. One option was prescription antiperspirant or toxins, which had to be reapplied repeatedly to temporarily disable the underarm sweat glands. Another option was BOTOX injections, which could provide relief for nine-to-12 months. But these injections were painful and expensive, costing about $1,000 a treatment.

In 2012, the FDA approved the miraDry System, which is a safe, clinically proven, and lasting treatment to significantly reduce underarm sweat. The miraDry System works by delivering controlled energy to the region where the underarm sweat glands reside, eliminating sweat glands non-invasively. Once eliminated, the sweat glands do not grow back, resulting in a dramatic and lasting reduction of underarm sweat.

The miraDry procedure is quick and non-invasive. Prior to the miraDry procedure, a patient's underarms are numbed with a local anesthetic. Now the miraDry hand piece, which resembles a laser hand piece, is moved about the underarm in small increments, according to a grid-like pattern. Moving along the grid, controlled energy is directed at the underarm sweat glands. The treatment takes about one hour.

Patients will experience some reduction in underarm sweating after a single treatment. However two treatments are required to maximize the treatment's results and duration. After two miraDry treatments, which are spaced three months apart, patients can expect their underarm sweating to be dramatically reduced. A recent study showed that after patients had two miraDry treatments, they experienced an average sweat reduction of 82 percent.

After the miraDry procedure, patients can expect swelling at the treatment sites, as well as some soreness. Both the swelling and soreness are normal, and can be expected to last from a few days to a few weeks. Ice packs and/or over-the-counter pain medication are recommended for a few days following treatment to relieve any discomfort. Patients can return to work and resume most activities immediately following the procedure. Patients can resume exercising after several days.

The miraDry System is only approved to treat excessive underarm sweating in adults age 18 or older. The treatment cannot be used to treat excessive sweating elsewhere on the body.