miraDry Treatment Overview Table
- Sessions Required
One session (a small number of patients may benefit from a second session, performed no sooner than three months after the first)
- Duration of Results
Long-lasting
- Downtime
Minimal downtime
- Session Duration
60 minutes
- Treats
- Excessive underarm sweating · Underarm body odour · Underarm hair (secondary benefit)
TL;DR
- miraDry is an FDA-cleared, non-surgical treatment that uses controlled microwave energy to eliminate sweat and odour glands in the underarms, addressing excessive sweating, odour, and (as a secondary benefit) underarm hair.
- Most patients see lasting results after a single session, with minimal downtime and no ongoing maintenance treatments required.
Table of Contents
Do Any Of These Sound Familiar?
Felt self-conscious about underarm sweat or odour
Avoided certain fabrics, colours, or activities because you're worried about visible sweat stains
Held back in a meeting, first date, or social event because you were distracted by worrying about sweat or smell
Reapplied deodorant multiple times a day
If this sounds like you, you may be dealing with excessive underarm sweating, or hyperhidrosis.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterised by excessive sweating beyond what the body needs for normal temperature regulation. It can affect the underarms, palms, feet, and face. For many people, it goes beyond physical discomfort, to affect confidence, clothing choices, and daily interactions.
In Singapore’s hot and humid climate, symptoms can feel particularly difficult to manage. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition, not a hygiene issue. For those with severe underarm sweating, miraDry may offer a long-lasting treatment option.
What is miraDry?
miraDry is a non-surgical hyperhidrosis treatment and the first FDA-cleared device for excessive underarm sweating to use controlled microwave energy. It works by targeting and permanently eliminating the sweat and odour glands in the underarm area.
Numbing
A local anaesthetic is administered to keep the underarm area comfortable throughout the procedure.
Marking
Our doctor marks the treatment area to guide application.
miraDry Treatment
Controlled microwave energy is delivered to the treatment area, targeting and eliminating the sweat and odour glands beneath the skin. Many patients also notice reduced underarm hair as an additional effect.
Do Sweat Glands Grow Back After miraDry?
No. The sweat glands eliminated by miraDry do not regenerate. This is what makes the results long-lasting rather than temporary. The degree of sweat reduction varies between patients – your doctor will discuss realistic expectations during your consultation.
It is also worth noting that the underarms account for approximately 2% of the body’s total sweat glands. Treating this area does not affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature through sweating elsewhere.
What Does miraDry Treat?
miraDry addresses three underarm concerns:
01
Underarm sweat reduction
miraDry reduces underarm sweating by an average of 82%, according to clinical studies.
02
Underarm hair reduction (secondary benefit)
As an additional effect, miraDry reduces underarm hair by an average of 70%.
03
Odour reduction (secondary benefit)
Because odour glands sit in the same tissue layer as sweat glands, miraDry also reduces underarm odour by an average of 89%.
miraDry and Anti Wrinkle Treatment for Hyperhidrosis
Anti Wrinkle Treatment and miraDry are both recognised options for excessive underarm sweating, and they work differently.
At SL Aesthetic Clinic, all excessive sweating treatments are performed by doctors who prioritise safety and tailor the approach to each patient.
- Uses microwave energy to target and eliminate the sweat and odour glands directly.
- Approved for underarm use only
- Most patients achieve their desired results with just one to two sessions in total, without the need for ongoing maintenance treatments
- Can reduce odour in armpits
- Hair reduction is often cited as a secondary benefit
- Minimal downtime
- Temporarily blocks the nerve signals that trigger sweat glands
- Results typically last four to six months; repeat treatments required
- Can also be used on other areas, such as the palms and soles
- Minimal downtime
How Long Do miraDry Results Last?
Many patients enjoy long lasting results with miraDry because treated sweat glands do not regenerate. Regular reviews with our doctor can help assess your long-term outcomes.
Is miraDry Safe?
Yes, miraDry has a favorable safety profile.
In the days to weeks after treatment, it’s common to experience some swelling, soreness, mild rash, or numbness in the underarm area. These effects are part of the body’s normal healing response and typically settle within three months.
Most side effects are mild and resolve on their own. In the largest published safety study to date, 94.2% of treatment reactions resolved within six months, with no serious complications reported.
As with any medical treatment, outcomes and side effects vary between individuals. A consultation with our doctors is recommended before proceeding.
How Much Does miraDry Cost in Singapore?
miraDry treatment costs $2500 per session at SL Aesthetic Clinic.
FAQ
Is miraDry painful?
miraDry is generally well tolerated, as the treatment is performed under local anaesthetic to keep the underarm area comfortable. Most patients describe feeling pressure or a pulling sensation during treatment, followed by temporary soreness or swelling afterwards.
Does miraDry remove body odour?
Yes, because odour glands sit alongside sweat glands and are eliminated in the same procedure, most patients notice a significant and lasting reduction in underarm odour with miraDry.
How many times should I do miraDry?
Most patients achieve their desired results after a single miraDry treatment, although a small number may benefit from a second session to further reduce sweating. If required, a second treatment is typically performed no sooner than three months after the first.
What should I expect before, during, and after miraDry?
Before miraDry treatment, your doctor will assess your suitability and map out the treatment area. During the procedure, the area is numbed before controlled microwave energy is delivered to the underarms. Afterwards, it is normal to experience temporary swelling, tenderness, bruising, or numbness, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days.
Who is miraDry suitable for?
miraDry is suitable for adults with bothersome underarm sweating or odour, particularly those seeking a long-lasting, non-surgical solution. It may not be suitable for individuals with certain medical conditions, implanted electronic devices, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so a medical consultation is necessary to determine if treatment is appropriate.
I've read that miraDry can cause nerve injury or burns. Is this true?
Nerve-related complications and burns are recognised but rare risks of miraDry.
During your consultation, our doctors will advise if you are suitable for miraDry treatment. Most patients experience only temporary, mild side effects such as swelling, soreness, and altered sensation, which resolve on their own within weeks to months.
Has miraDry been linked to breast cancer?
There is no established link between miraDry and breast cancer in published medical literature. miraDry uses non-ionising microwave energy, which works by generating localised heat — this is fundamentally different from ionising radiation, which is associated with DNA damage and cancer risk.
miraDry targets tissue at a depth of 2 to 5mm, where sweat and odour glands sit, and has no established biological mechanism for affecting breast tissue or causing malignancy. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, we encourage you to discuss this with your doctor during consultation, alongside appropriate screening recommendations.
Why does my underarm sweating come back even after miraDry treatment?
A small proportion of patients may experience continued sweating after a single miraDry session and benefit from a second treatment, typically performed at least three months later. Our doctors will assess your results at follow-up and advise if a second session is recommended.
References
- Hong HC, Lupin M, O’Shaughnessy KF. Clinical evaluation of a microwave device for treating axillary hyperhidrosis. Dermatol Surg. 2012 May;38(5):728-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2012.02375.x. Epub 2012 Mar 27. PMID: 22452511; PMCID: PMC3489040.
- Brauer JA, Neckman JP, Zelickson B, Vasily DB, Geronemus RG. A Prospective Study of Axillary Hair Reduction in Patients Treated With Microwave Technology. Dermatol Surg. 2017 Apr;43(4):558-565. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001004. PMID: 28005625.
- Patel F, Tu YM, Fernandes S, Chapas A. A case of axillary bromhidrosis secondary to trimethylaminuria successfully treated with microwave-based therapy. JAAD Case Rep. 2019 Oct 7;5(10):915-917. doi: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2019.07.018. PMID: 31646163; PMCID: PMC6804454.
- Glaser DA, Coleman WP 3rd, Fan LK, Kaminer MS, Kilmer SL, Nossa R, Smith SR, O’Shaughnessy KF. A randomized, blinded clinical evaluation of a novel microwave device for treating axillary hyperhidrosis: the dermatologic reduction in underarm perspiration study. Dermatol Surg. 2012 Feb;38(2):185-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02250.x. Epub 2012 Jan 30. PMID: 22289389.
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