In the past, you noticed that you sweat under your arms very heavily. This issue may cause some embarrassment or frustration for you. Still, this type of sweating can lead to stained clothing, body odor, and social anxiety. Sometimes, excessive sweating can be controlled with the right antiperspirant. Other times, if deodorant doesn’t work, people need to look to other treatment options. If you tried various methods to fix this problem, but still experience this issue, it may be time to try something new. MiraDry is a new cosmetic treatment that addresses excessive sweating and helps people get back to living their lives the way they want.
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What is excessive sweating? Why does it happen?
Excessive sweating is clinically referred to as hyperhidrosis. There are two different types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary. During primary (focal) hyperhidrosis, the nerves that signal your sweat glands become overactive. This problem becomes even worse with stress or nervousness. People with primary hyperhidrosis experience symptoms at the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and sometimes the face. This is the most common type of hyperhidrosis. If you have secondary hyperhidrosis, you experience excessive sweating due to a medical condition. This is less common, however, conditions that cause secondary hyperhidrosis include the following.
- Nervous system disorders
- Diabetes
- Heart attack
- Infections
- Low blood sugar
- Thyroid problems
- Menopause hot flashes
- Some types of cancer
Quick tips for reducing excessive sweat
Before undergoing a procedure such as miraDry, it’s important to try other at-home options. Here are a few tips for reducing underarm sweat.
- Deodorants help control odor but not sweat. Make sure the product you’re buying contains both a deodorant and an antiperspirant. Antiperspirants stop sweating temporarily by blocking the sweat glands, whereas deodorant just controls body odor.
- Apply the product correctly. Though it’s not rocket science, many people don’t use antiperspirant correctly. Deodorant should be applied to dry skin at night. Using it before bed allows the active ingredients to seep into the pores and stop sweating by the time you wake up in the morning. These ingredients work for 24 hours, even after showering.
- Try a clinical strength product. You can buy clinical strength deodorants over the counter. They do contain harsher chemicals, however, and can cause skin irritation.
- Wear clothing that is lightweight and breathable. Cotton and silk are good options because they keep the skin dry and improve air circulation. When working out, choose synthetic fibers that are made with moisture-wicking properties.
What is miraDry?
If you’ve been struggling with excessive sweating for six months or more, and deodorant doesn’t work, schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon. Surgeons have a wide range of options that can help such as Botox injections, miraDry or surgery to reduce the sweating.
The newest development for people who suffer from excessive underarm sweat is miraDry. MiraDry treatment is approved by the FDA. Its purpose is to remove sweat and odor glands in a noninvasive procedure so that patients can lead a more comfortable lifestyle. Specifically, the miraDry treatment system uses thermal energy to target and eliminate the sweat and odor glands in your underarm. The glands disappear and do not grow back.
Side Effects of MiraDry
Any side effects associated with MiraDry treatment are typically mild. If you have MiraDry and experience any of the following, speak to your doctor.
- Temporary swelling
- Tingling and numbness in the treatment area
- Soreness
The only serious complication reported from this treatment is prolonged loss of sensation in the treatment area.
Added Benefits of MiraDry treatment
In fact, you should know that MiraDry offers benefits in addition to sweat reduction. This treatment disables your sweat glands, which means they can’t produce odor anymore. As a result, many patients feel confident without wearing deodorant at all after treatment. In addition, the MiraDry device can also disable hair follicles. Many patients have therefore experienced a reduction in underarm hair as an additional positive side effect.
The right doctor for miraDry treatment in New Jersey
If deodorant doesn’t work for you and you continue to struggle with excessive sweat, talk to your doctor about other options. There’s no reason to live in embarrassment or struggle with anxiety because of this problem. With noninvasive microwave technology, such as miraDry, you can enjoy a more comfortable and active social life – no sweat included! Dr. Berlet has treated many people with hyperhidrosis around the northern New Jersey area. If you think miraDry might be right for you, contact us today!