Excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) can be distressing and impact everyday life. Several treatment options are available, ranging from daily topical applications to more thorough medical interventions like miraDry®. In this blog, we’ll explore how miraDry® compares to other sweat reduction treatments, helping you make an informed choice.

Evaluating Your Options in San Ramon, CA

If you’re tired of bringing an extra shirt and stick of antiperspirant everywhere you go, the experts at Michelle J. Place, MD, Inc. Plastic Surgery Center can help you find a better way forward. During your initial consultation, a highly trained member of our team will assess your symptoms, ask important questions about your sweating amount and frequency, and review your medical history and allergies.

From there, we can develop a comprehensive treatment plan that may include miraDry® and/or other remedies:

miraDry®

miraDry® is a non-surgical treatment designed to reduce underarm sweat by using thermal energy to target and eliminate sweat glands. What makes it unique is that it provides a permanent solution for people struggling with excessive underarm sweating. miraDry® can also reduce odor and underarm hair as an added benefit.

Pros:

  • Permanent reduction of sweat glands after one or two treatments
  • Non-invasive, no need for injections or pills
  • Minimal downtime
  • Reduces sweat, odor, and hair all at once

Cons:

  • May require a touch-up treatment
  • Brief recovery period with mild swelling or numbness

 

Daily At-Home Creams

Aluminum chloride-based creams work by temporarily blocking sweat glands, but their effectiveness is usually limited to mild sweating. For those dealing with more severe cases, the treatment may be inadequate, not to mention daily application can be hard to keep up with.

Pros:

  • Readily available over-the-counter
  • Cost-effective in the short term
  • Easy to apply

Cons:

  • Often not strong enough for severe hyperhidrosis
  • Can cause skin irritation
  • Requires daily application, making it inconvenient for some

 

Prescription Antiperspirants

These contain higher concentrations of aluminum chloride, which may provide more significant sweat reduction than over-the-counter creams. However, like their OTC counterparts, these products offer only a temporary fix and often cause irritation, especially in sensitive areas like the underarms.

Pros:

  • Stronger formulation than OTC options
  • Effective for more moderate cases
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Can cause skin irritation and rashes
  • Requires continuous, long-term use

 

Iontophoresis

During this procedure, a mild electrical current (not strong enough to shock you) is used to reduce sweat, especially in the hands and feet. While effective for localized sweating in these areas, it’s less commonly used for underarm treatments due to its impracticality and discomfort.

Pros:

  • Effective for hand and foot sweating
  • Can be done at home with a prescribed device

Cons:

  • Requires frequent sessions (multiple times per week)
  • Time-consuming and involving equipment
  • Not ideal for underarm sweating

 

Botox®

Botox®’s nerve-blocking abilities have multiple applications, including smoothing dynamic wrinkles and inhibiting sweat gland activity. While effective for dealing with excess underarm sweat, the results are temporary, requiring ongoing sessions.

Pros:

  • Highly effective for localized sweat reduction
  • FDA-approved for hyperhidrosis
  • Can last for several months

Cons:

  • Requires repeat injections every 6-9 months
  • Expensive over time
  • Risk of pain and temporary weakness in the treated area

 

Get More Details

miraDry® is the best option for many patients with problematic underarm sweat, offering a powerful and permanent solution. To schedule your initial consultation, contact the office of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michelle J. Place today!