Miradry® Treatment for Excessive Axillary Hyperhidrosis: How It Works
Hyperhidrosis (HH) is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating. Approximately 4.8% of people living in the US have hyperhidrosis. This condition often affects the mental health of its sufferers. Fortunately, technological advancements have led to the introduction of effective treatments. One key example is the miraDry® treatment for underarm sweating. If you wish to seek help for excessive underarm sweat, then you should visit Elysium SurgiSpa for treatment using Miradry in Chicago, Illinois.
Treatment of Hyperhidrosis
There are several treatment options for people with hyperhidrosis. The first line of treatment is often over-the-counter medication and antiperspirants.
If these options fail to work, your dermatologist may recommend other treatment options such as iontophoresis (a device that passes electric currents to the problematic areas), Botulinum toxin injections for underarms, microwave technology and surgery as a last resort.
Axillary Hyperhidrosis
Axillary hyperhidrosis is a chronic condition whereby a person experiences excessive underarm sweating. The various treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis include oral medications, Botox injections, Miradry®, and medicated wipes.
Treatment of Axillary Hyperhidrosis Using the Miradry® Treatment
The demand for non-surgical yet effective treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis contributed to the innovation of microwave technology to treat excessive underarm sweating. The use of microwave technology began in the 70s, where surgeons would use it in coagulation.
Microwaves can penetrate the sweat glands through the use of an antenna that targets the adipose tissue where most sweat glands are located. The Miradry® system utilizes microwave technology.
The Miradry® device has a console, a disposable bioTip as well as a handpiece. The console consists of computer software, a chiller, and a vacuum pump. The handpiece has four antennas and is made in such a way that it allows active cooling that prevents damage to the epidermis and dermis layer.
The bioTip utilizes the consoles vacuum pump by lifting the skin away from nerves at the same time stabilizing the skin during treatment. This bioTip must be sterilized to prevent contamination. The Miradry® device has five energy settings, with level one having the lowest energy setting.
Before Treatment
Patients are instructed to shave their underarms four days before The Miradry® treatment. On the day of treatment, they are given 800mg of ibuprofen. The doctor cleans the underarm with alcohol then determines the vault size.
The vault size refers to the amount and distribution of sweat that is determined using the starch-iodine test. The sweat mixes with the starch-iodine mixture turning the area black.
Once the vault size is determined, the doctor marks the area with the most sweat using a pen and creates grids. Anesthesia is then injected to numb the dermis.
During the Treatment
The doctor applies the bioTip over the axillae, and treatment takes approximately fifty minutes after the anesthesia has been injected.
After Treatment
Patients are given two ice packs to place under each arm and a three-day prescription of ibuprofen. The ice pack must be placed in gauze and not have direct contact with the skin as it could lead to damage.
A patient may experience redness and mild edema after the treatment, which typically resolves after three days. Other side effects include bumps, hair loss, and bruising. Patients that received Miradry® stated that it was 90% efficient after the first treatment. Those who have gone for further treatments showed 100% satisfaction.
You don’t need to suffer in silence and should seek professional help to get rid of your excessive sweat problem. If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, book an appointment with doctors at the Elysium SurgiSpa in Chicago for safe and effective treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.
