miraDry®
Many individuals living with excessive underarm sweating or odour adjust their routines to cope with the condition—choosing dark clothing, limiting physical activity, or avoiding public speaking and close interactions. Though these strategies can help in the short term, they often come at the cost of your comfort and confidence.
Hyperhidrosis, the medical name for excessive sweating, can be isolating and deeply frustrating. The condition leaves nearly three percent of the Canadian population—around 1.2 million people—feeling self-conscious every day. If you’re tired of constantly worrying about sweat stains or body odour, you might be interested in miraDry.
MiraDry is a quick, non-surgical treatment option for excessive sweating and odour in the underarms. Our team at The Ottawa Clinic is proud to offer this hyperhidrosis treatment, as well as BOTOX® injections, to help patients achieve dry underarms, prevent sweat stains, and reduce odour.
What Is miraDry?
MiraDry is a non-invasive, in-office procedure cleared by Health Canada for the treatment of excessive underarm sweat and odour.
The miraDry system works by delivering controlled thermal (heat) energy into the underarm area. This energy safely passes through the outer layer of skin to target and destroy the sweat and odour glands. Once those glands are eliminated, they do not grow back.
MiraDry is administered by one of our nurses or medical aesthetician (under the direction of our dermatologist or plastic surgeons). The one-hour treatment is virtually painless and requires little to no downtime. MiraDry has an extremely high rate of patient satisfaction, providing life-changing results for many men and women.
What Does miraDry Treat?
Excessive underarm sweating and strong or persistent body odour often go hand-in-hand. MiraDry treats both in one simple procedure.
Excessive Underarm Sweating (Axillary Hyperhidrosis)
Sweating is your body’s natural way of regulating temperature, but for some people, it goes into overdrive. If you sweat excessively even when you’re not hot, stressed or exercising, you may have hyperhidrosis.
This condition comes in two forms:
Primary hyperhidrosis causes sweating far beyond what’s necessary to cool the body. It often starts in adolescence and affects specific areas like the underarms, hands, feet or face. It isn’t caused by another health problem and tends to run in families. MiraDry targets this type of hyperhidrosis.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating caused by an underlying issue, such as a medical condition (like diabetes or thyroid problems), infection, menopause or certain medications. It typically affects larger areas of the body and may start suddenly later in life. Addressing the root cause is the best way to treat this type of hyperhidrosis.
Excessive Underarm odour (Axillary Bromhidrosis)
Contrary to popular belief, sweat is naturally odourless. Body odour, sometimes called bromhidrosis, occurs when bacteria naturally present on your skin come into contact with sweat and trigger a chemical reaction. This natural process is amplified if you have hyperhidrosis, leading to stronger odour that may persist despite regular showering and deodorant use.
MiraDry targets sweat (eccrine) glands and odour (apocrine) glands simultaneously, reducing both moisture and the source of unpleasant smells.
Why Patients Love miraDry
At The Ottawa Clinic, we see firsthand the difference miraDry can make for people who’ve struggled for years with the discomfort, inconvenience and embarrassment of hyperhidrosis. Here are a few reasons our patients are thrilled with their results:
It Works
For patients who’ve tried it all, miraDry offers real, lasting relief. Most patients experience a rapid and dramatic reduction in sweat and odour, and the results are long-lasting.
It’s Permanent
The glands that are destroyed during treatment don’t regenerate, so once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. For many, one or two sessions are all it takes to feel dry and confident for life.
It’s Simple
Patients are often pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the treatment is. It takes about an hour, right here in our office, and most people resume normal activities within 24-48 hours.
It’s Cost-Effective
When you calculate the cumulative expense of clinical-strength antiperspirants, dry cleaning bills, replacement clothing and temporary treatments over years, miraDry is the more economical long-term solution.
It’s Environmentally Friendly
The environmental impact is a less obvious but increasingly important benefit patients appreciate. MiraDry reduces waste from antiperspirant and deodorant product packaging and the frequent replacement of sweat-damaged garments.
It’s Liberating
Our patients frequently tell us how transformative miraDry has been for their self-esteem. From confidently giving presentations at work to enjoying social gatherings without anxiety, the psychological benefits often outweigh the physical ones.
Am I a Candidate for miraDry?
During your consultation, one of The Ottawa Clinic’s expert staff will review your concerns, goals and medical history to determine whether miraDry will be an effective means of treatment. You may be an excellent candidate if any of these thoughts sound familiar:
- I’m tired of only wearing black or patterned shirts to hide sweat stains
- I’ve tried every deodorant and antiperspirant on the market, and nothing helps
- I feel anxious in social situations because I’m worried about body odour
- I pack a change of clothes in my bag when I leave the house, just in case
- I’m embarrassed to hug friends or shake hands with colleagues
- I avoid raising my arms in public because I’m afraid of what people will see or smell
- I want a permanent solution, not another temporary fix
MiraDry is designed to target the sweat glands in your underarms only, so if you experience excessive sweating in other areas like your palms, feet or face, our team can discuss alternative treatment options.
Some medical conditions or circumstances may require additional consideration before treatment. These include pregnancy, breastfeeding, active infections in the treatment area or certain autoimmune disorders. MiraDry is safe for most healthy adults.
If you’re ready to stop planning your life around your sweat, our team at The Ottawa Clinic can help you determine if miraDry is right for you.
How to Prepare for miraDry Treatment
Preparing for your miraDry procedure is simple, but there are a few important steps to ensure the best results.
4–6 Days Before: Shave Your Underarms
Shave both underarms so we can clearly visualize the treatment area. By the day of your appointment, there should be a small amount of regrowth—just enough for us to see where to target. If you forget to shave, we may need to reschedule your session.
The Day Before: Avoid deodorant or Antiperspirant
Skip any products under your arms the day before treatment. This helps keep your skin clean for the procedure.
The Day Of: Wear Loose, Comfortable Clothing
Choose something with easy access to your underarms, like a tank top, camisole or sports bra. Loose-fitting sleeves will help you stay comfortable during and after your treatment.
What Does the miraDry Treatment Involve?
The miraDry procedure is a three-step process that can typically be completed within one hour. At the beginning of your treatment, your underarms will be numbed with local anaesthesia to minimize any potential discomfort. The target area will then be carefully mapped out using a temporary tattoo template that will help guide your physician.
Once the area is numb, the miraDry handheld device is directed over your underarms, which gently suctions the tissue for optimal results. As thermal energy is delivered, the sweat and odour glands are heated and destroyed. Throughout this process, cooling is activated to maximize your comfort. Immediately after treatment, you can begin to enjoy dry, odour-free underarms.
What to Expect From miraDry Recovery
Patients typically experience little to no downtime after their miraDry treatment. They can usually resume their normal activities as soon as they leave our office, including going back to work, and can usually return to exercise within several days.
It is normal to experience sensitivity, swelling, bruising, and numbness around the treatment area. These sensations typically subside within the first week after treatment. Using cold packs wrapped in a towel during the first 24-48 hours helps with swelling and discomfort.
Do not shave or apply antiperspirant or deodorant for the next few days. Keep the treated area clean by washing it with water and gentle liquid soap. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to prevent infection, and wear loose-fitting tops for a few days to avoid irritating your underarms.
miraDry vs. Botox: Which One Is Best for Sweat?
MiraDry and Botox can both offer relief from excessive sweating. We offer both solutions at The Ottawa Clinic and can help you choose the right one based on your goals, preferences and lifestyle.
miraDry: Permanent Sweat and odour Reduction
MiraDry is a great choice for people who want a lasting solution without ongoing maintenance, and who are ready to significantly reduce underarm sweat and odour for the long term.
- How it works: Uses thermal energy to eliminate sweat and odour glands
- Number of treatments: Most patients need 1-3 treatments
- Results timeline: Immediate results that continue to improve over 2-3 months
- Duration of results: Permanent (sweat reduction averages 82%)
- Downtime: Minimal; some tenderness and swelling for a few days
- Added benefits: Also reduces underarm hair and odour
Botox: A Trusted, Temporary Solution
Botox is an excellent option for people who are just starting to explore sweat treatments, or who prefer a less permanent solution that still delivers fast, noticeable results.
- How it works: Temporarily blocks the chemical signals from nerves that stimulate sweat glands
- Number of treatments: Initial treatment followed by regular maintenance
- Results timeline: Results typically appear within a week
- Duration of results: 4-6 months before retreatment is needed
- Downtime: None; return to normal activities immediately
- Added benefits: May be suitable for multiple body areas (not just underarms)
FAQs
Is miraDry Painful?
Patient comfort is a top priority at The Ottawa Clinic. Before your miraDry treatment begins, your provider numbs the area using local anaesthesia. The miraDry device also has a built-in cooling feature to protect your skin and keep you comfortable throughout the session. Most patients report feeling little to no pain, possibly just sensations of warmth or suction. Overall, the treatment is very well-tolerated.
Is miraDry Safe?
MiraDry is cleared by the FDA to significantly reduce sweat in the underarm area. Many patients are concerned that eliminating their sweat glands will lead to problems in the future; however this is not the case. Since the underarms only contain about 2% of your body’s sweat glands, your body can still safely cool itself without the function of the glands in this small area.
How Long Does miraDry Treatment Take?
A typical miraDry appointment takes 60 to 90 minutes from start to finish. This includes preparing your skin, marking the treatment area, and the energy application with the device. Its relatively short duration makes it a convenient option for busy schedules.
How Long Until I Notice Results From miraDry?
MiraDry produces immediate results. Because the sweat and odour glands are eliminated during the treatment, you will notice a significant reduction in underarm sweat right after your session. Gradual improvements continue in both sweating and odour as your body fully processes the treated glands. The full results typically stabilize about three months after treatment.
Can miraDry Reduce Underarm Hair?
Many patients notice permanent underarm hair reduction as an added benefit of miraDry. The thermal energy affects the hair follicles located near the sweat glands. This effect is observed in all hair colours, including lighter shades that are often difficult to treat with lasers. Studies and patient reports suggest an average reduction of about 70%.
What Side Effects Are Associated With miraDry?
In addition to the possible side effects experienced immediately after miraDry, patients may have localized soreness, swelling, and an altered sensation in the treatment area—all of which usually fades within a few weeks. Some patients may also experience a reduction in their underarm hair.
Does miraDry Affect Lymph Nodes or Breast Tissue?
No. The miraDry system delivers energy very precisely to the depth where the sweat and odour glands reside, just below the surface of the skin. The energy does not reach deeper structures like lymph nodes or breast tissue.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Best results are achieved with between one and three sessions, but a large majority of people only need one session.
How Long Do miraDry Results Last?
miraDry results are considered permanent since the sweat and odour glands cannot regrow after breaking down during treatment. Results may vary for every individual, but on average, the treatment has been clinically proven to provide an 82% reduction in sweat and 89% reduction in odour.
How Much Does miraDry Cost?
miraDry typically costs about $2,500 + HST per session, which most consider to be a worthwhile investment for the permanent results they achieve. During your consultation, our team can provide you with a personalized quote based on the specifics of your treatment. We can also help you navigate available financing options to help break your total cost into smaller monthly payments, should you be interested.
Ready to Book a Consultation?
Imagine the freedom of wearing any colour you like, engaging confidently in any activity and simply not having to worry about underarm sweat anymore. Let us help you regain your confidence and live life unhindered.
Please call The Ottawa Clinic at (613) 232-7777 or fill out our convenient contact form, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you in setting up your appointment.
