A new procedure is available for treating excessive sweating, a condition referred to as hyperhidrosis, without the use of neurotoxins such as BOTOX or Dysport. MiraDry uses electromagnetic energy to target sweat glands, reducing the size and therefore output of sweat for up to a year or perhaps even longer.
The miraDry device was recently shown on CBS's The Doctors and demonstrated by Dr. Eva Shamban. The typical treatment takes about 1 hour and should be repeated 3 months later.
MiraDry on The Doctors
Photo courtesy thedoctorstv.com
MiraDry, a device using electromagnetic energy to target sweat glands in the axillary (underarm) area. According to Dr. Suzanne Kilmer, the founding director of the Laser and Skin Surgery Center in Sacramento, CA, the treatment is on par in efficacy to neurotoxins but as BOTOX or Dysport breaks down within 6-9 months, this new technology shows a long-term and potentially permanent treatment to excessive sweating. "MiraDry heats up the lower dermis where eccrine or sweat glands are," describes Dr. Kilmer, "After which, they are thermally damaged (destroyed) and then reabsorbed into the body."
Studies at Dr. Kilmer's center, which was a study site for this research, has shown the procedure is completely non-invasive and may be performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia. Treatment takes approximately one hour, depending on the size of the axillary glands but patients have noticed reduced sweating after the first treatment. At this point, Dr. Kilmer says only the axillary (underarm) may be treated.
"Anyone who wants underarm sweating decreased is an ideal candidate. The hyperhidrosis doesn't have to be severe; it could be patients who just want to limit damage to their clothing," states Dr. Kilmer. Follow-up in treated subjects have shown stable and continued results through 12 months. Continued ongoing clinical studies with optimized settings will show even more promising results, said Dr. Kilmer.
