Much has been said about how effective miraDry is in minimizing your underarm sweat. But have you ever stopped to think about the miraDry side effects that you might experience afterward?
No matter how safe or minimally invasive a procedure is, it has its list of risks and side effects. The real question is, will these prevent you from undergoing a treatment that can potentially change your life?
It’s completely your call.
Check out the following miraDry side effects to help you make an informed decision.
5 miraDry side effects
to watch out for
Swelling
Though there is minimal to no downtime after a miraDry session, you’ll still experience swelling in your armpits for about one to three weeks. It can range from mild, minor swelling to golf ball-sized lumps due to inflamed veins. Most of the swelling to get resolved in just a week.
Your miraDry provider will typically prescribe you with ibuprofen to minimize swelling. Applying an ice pack to the area and avoiding strenuous activities in the meantime will also help.
If your swelling affects the lymph nodes in your underarms, your provider might recommend getting a lymphatic massage to make the swelling go away as soon as possible.
Redness and bruising
If you have swelling, then expect to have some redness as well after your miraDry session. There’s also a small risk of developing a rash after your session, but you can ask your provider for a safe remedy if you experience this uncommon side effect.
If you have a dark skin tone, the skin in your armpits might darken a bit as well due to a little bruising. But don’t worry because this miraDry side effect resolves over time.
Soreness
During the miraDry treatment, you’ll experience an initial stinging due to the local anesthesia injections administered onto your armpits. It numbs your treatment area, although it’s normal to feel some warmth or heat as the microwaves hit your skin.
To prevent the feeling of discomfort during anesthesia injection, your doctor might apply an icepack onto the treatment area before the anesthesia administration.
As for the soreness after the procedure, patients liken it to a mild sunburn. It typically lasts for only a week. Your miraDry provider might also give you over-the-counter painkillers.
Numbness and tingling
It’s common to develop a numbness and tingling sensation in your underarms and upper arms for up to five weeks.
But on rare occasions, this can progress to permanent nerve injury. Patients with a thin build are more susceptible to permanent nerve injury since their nerves sit closer to the surface of the skin.
Still, you can avoid this complication by choosing a reliable and experienced miraDry provider.
Underarm hair loss
Not all miraDry side effects are bothersome.
Because miraDry also targets the hair glands in your armpits, you’ll experience permanent hair loss in the area. No need for shaving or waxing that can cause ingrown hairs!
Myths About
miraDry Side Effects
Since miraDry is not yet as mainstream as other hyperhidrosis treatments, it’s natural to have a lot of myths and misconceptions about it.
Here are some of the most common myths about miraDry side effects—and the truth behind them.
MYTH: miraDry causes cancer
Current studies about miraDry show no evidence that it can cause any cancer.
miraDry only targets the glands directly below the skin, only reaching a depth of 4-5 mm. It does not affect deeper tissues or lymph nodes.
Plus, it uses microwave energy to zap your sweat glands, not radiation treatment.
Remember also that to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the treatment must undergo numerous researches and tests to be deemed safe for use.
FDA approved miraDry as a treatment for underarm sweating in 2011. In 2015, the FDA also cleared the procedure as a way to permanently eliminate underarm hair and odor glands.
MYTH: miraDry can burn your skin
Although burning is theoretically possible, miraDry is equipped with a cooling system to prevent burning over the skin surface.
The technology has been designed to keep the skin as cool as possible.
In the hands of an experienced miraDry provider, you’ll only experience minor discomfort typical of a mild sunburn. It should resolve within a week.
MYTH: miraDry affects your ability to breastfeed
miraDry only focuses on the treatment are in your underarms, so it will not penetrate nearby breast tissues or mammary glands. You should have no problems breastfeeding after the treatment, and it’s perfectly safe to do so.
However, further studies are needed to ensure the treatment’s safety on the fetus and growing baby. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding to get a miraDry treatment.
So, is miraDry safe?
Given that miraDry only produces minor side effects that eventually go away,
it is definitely a safe and effective procedure.
Tens of thousands of people have already experienced the sweat-reducing power of miraDry without so much as minor discomfort. It has an excellent safety track record, which is why it is the preferred long-term treatment for excessive underarm sweating.
Do you feel that your armpits are sweating too much that it already affects your quality of life? Schedule a Free Consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon here in Face+Body Cosmetic Surgery and allow us to help you achieve a sweat-free life.
