Excessive sweating can go hand-in-hand with embarrassment and worry. Also known as hyperhidrosis, when you sweat too much, it can put a stain on your daily life and wardrobe. It’s important to know you have options when it comes to getting relief, and miraDry is one of the best options available. Here’s what to know about it and how it can help.
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes you to sweat more than the average, necessary amount to keep your body cool. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that around 3 percent of Americans have this condition. It’s common for people with hyperhidrosis to feel embarrassed and overly self-conscious about their excessive sweating since it tends to emerge with everyday activities or situations. In situations where it’s appropriate to sweat, you might experience sweating in even more excessive amounts than appropriate. It can also be very noticeable to people around you.
Hyperhidrosis can affect a few areas of the body, not just the armpits. Usually, the hands, feet and even forehead may be affected. Some medical conditions or situations can lead to the development of hyperhidrosis, such as gout, diabetes, menopause, and weight gain.
miraDry is an FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment option for treating excessive sweating. It uses wave technology to target sweat glands in the underarms. This means it can reduce excessive sweating by up to 80 percent. In general, your underarms make up only 2 percent of the body’s sweat glands, so your body’s overall ability to sweat is not affected. You can enjoy long-term results with just a couple treatments.
miraDry is non-invasive and can be performed right in our comfortable office. Before the treatment is administered, local anesthetic is used to numb the area. Then, a specialized handpiece is administered to the underarms to treat the sweat glands. In all, miraDry treatment takes about one hour. You can relax and listen to music during your treatment session. You’ll notice immediate results after your miraDry treatment, and you can immediately return to your normal everyday activities, including work. You might experience some redness, tenderness, and swelling after your treatment session, but this subsides quickly.
Most miraDry patients require only a single procedure. However, you may need a second treatment depending on your goals and unique experience with hyperhidrosis. Our team will create a customized treatment package for you during your consultation.
At Seattle Skin and Laser, we’re proud to be the first provider in the Pacific Northwest to offer miraDry! To learn more about how miraDry can treat hyperhidrosis, we invite you to contact our Seattle-area offices by calling 206-525-1168 or filling out our online form.