Dermadry and miraDry Are Both Effective Treatments for Hyperhidrosis — Learn Which One is Right for You
Do you find yourself soaking through shirts—even when you’re not working out or in the heat? If your underarms are constantly drenched, you might have axillary hyperhidrosis (aka excessive underarm sweating). You’re not alone! Around 385 million people worldwide deal with this frustrating condition (nearly 5% of the population).
While hyperhidrosis isn’t harmful, it can seriously impact your confidence and comfort. The good news? You don’t have to live with it! Treatments like miraDry and Dermadry offer lasting relief, so you can stay dry and sweat-free.
Want to know which treatment is right for you? Keep reading to learn how to take control of excessive underarm sweating once and for all!
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. While sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling down, people who have hyperhidrosis have overactive sweat glands. In turn, they may sweat at unpredictable times, regardless of heat or exercise.
Hyperhidrosis may affect the entire body, or just specific certain areas. Areas that frequently experience hyperhidrosis include:
- Hands (palmar hyperhidrosis)
- Feet (plantar hyperhidrosis)
- Armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis)
- Face (craniofacial hyperhidrosis)
For some, hyperhidrosis is linked to medications, stress, anxiety, or medical conditions. But for many, there’s no clear cause—just constant, uncontrollable sweating. And it’s more common than you think! Studies show that around 15.3 million Americans experience hyperhidrosis symptoms.
Why Should You Treat Hyperhidrosis?
You should treat hyperhidrosis if excessive sweating makes you feel uncomfortable or impacts your approach to daily life. Hyperhidrosis isn’t a dangerous condition; although excessive sweating can lead to skin problems, infections, and dehydration when untreated, proper hygiene will almost completely reduce major health risks.
For those who do suffer from hyperhidrosis, however, excess sweating can be embarrassing and interfere with daily life. No one wants to sweat through their clothing at work or in social settings. In turn, hyperhidrosis can lead to social anxiety, withdrawal, or even depression. These social and mental reasons are the main reason many people choose to treat hyperhidrosis.
Patients can choose from several treatment options for hyperhidrosis — but which one is most effective? Let’s dive into a few of the most well known treatments for hyperhidrosis, what they’re effective for, and which ones WIFH offers.
What is miraDry?
Introduced in 2011, miraDry is the only FDA-approved treatment to dramatically reduce underarm sweat and odor. A safe, effective, and non-invasive procedure, miraDry uses microwave energy to destroy the glands that produce sweat and odor in the underarm area. These sweat glands don’t regenerate, leading to effective, long-term results.
After two treatments, miraDry is clinically proven to reduce sweat by 82% and odor by 89% — and the results are permanent. Some patients notice immediate improvement in sweating and odor, while others notice gradual improvements over several months. For the best results, we recommend that patients complete two treatments at least 3 months apart.
What is Dermadry?
Introduced in 2018, Dermadry is an FDA-cleared device designed to temporarily reduce excessive sweating in the hands, feet, and underarms using a mild electrical current (iontophoresis). This current helps block sweat glands from producing moisture, but results are not permanent and require ongoing maintenance.
Using Dermadry involves placing your hands or feet in trays of tap water while the device delivers a controlled current. For underarm treatment, soft sponges are placed under the arms. To see results, users must commit to five sessions per week (15-20 minutes each) for several weeks, with regular upkeep needed to maintain dryness. In turn, the process of getting treated for Dermadry is time-consuming compared to other treatments such as miraDry.
While Dermadry can be a helpful at-home option, we do not offer this treatment at WIFH. Instead, we specialize in miraDry, a long-lasting solution for excessive underarm sweat and odor. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to keep your underarms dry, we’d love to help. Dermadry also requires a prescription from a healthcare professional.
miraDry vs Dermadry: Understanding Your Options for Hyperhidrosis
If you’re tired of dealing with excessive sweating, you’ve probably come across treatments like miraDry and Dermadry—but which one is right for you? Here’s what you need to know:
For Underarm Sweat & Odor: MiraDry
If you’re struggling with excessive underarm sweating and odor, miraDry is one of the best long-term solutions available. This FDA-cleared treatment permanently reduces sweat by up to 82% and odor by up to 89% typically after two sessions. Unlike other treatments, miraDry eliminates underarm sweat and odor glands for long-lasting results—without the need for ongoing maintenance. MiraDry also does not lead to compensatory sweating, meaning the rest of your body won’t over sweat after the treatment.
For Hands & Feet: Dermadry
Dermadry is another hyperhidrosis treatment, but it works differently. It uses iontophoresis to temporarily reduce sweating in the hands, feet, and underarms. While it’s effective, it requires regular treatments to maintain results. However, miraDry is not approved for hands & feet — meaning that Dermadry is recommended for treatment in these areas, and that WIFH does not treat hyperhidrosis for hands & feet.
At our practice, we exclusively offer miraDry for underarm hyperhidrosis, as it provides the most long-lasting, hassle-free results for excessive sweating and odor.
Here’s a full comparison table of the two options.
| Category | miraDry | Dermadry |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Underarm hyperhidrosis | Hand and foot hyperhidrosis |
| Treatment Length | 2 to 2.5 hours per session | 15 to 20 minutes per session |
| Sessions Needed | 2 sessions for best results (3 months apart) | 3-5 times per week for up to 6 weeks, then maintenance every few weeks |
| Treatment Cost | Single session - $2,150, Two sessions $3,400 | $500 |
| Aftercare | Numbness for a few hours, soreness for days to a week, ice packs, avoid deodorant for 3 days, gentle showering | No major aftercare; clean device with warm water after every 5 treatments |
Comparing Other Hyperhidrosis Treatment Options With Miradry and Dermadry
Beyond miraDry and Dermadry, there are several other treatments available to treat hyperhidrosis. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these options and compare them.
miraDry vs Dermadry vs Botox
Before miraDry was introduced in 2011, Botox was a common treatment for excessive underarm sweating. FDA-approved in 2004 for axillary hyperhidrosis, Botox works by temporarily blocking the chemical signals that activate sweat glands. However, its effects last only 4 to 6 months, requiring ongoing injections to maintain results—making it a costly and temporary solution. Botox also fails to directly address underarm odor.
At WIFH, we do not offer Botox for excessive sweating, as we provide a more effective, long-term solution: miraDry. Unlike Botox, miraDry delivers up to an 82% reduction in sweat and an 89% reduction in odor, with results that are significant and long-lasting. Because miraDry eliminates sweat glands, there’s no need for continuous treatments.
For individuals seeking treatment for excessive sweating in the hands or feet, Dermadry is an at-home device that uses iontophoresis to temporarily reduce sweating. However, we do not offer Dermadry at WIFH, as our focus is on providing lasting results with miraDry for underarm sweat and odor.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of a long-term solution to excessive sweating, miraDry is the ideal choice.
| Treatment | How It Works | How Long Results Last | Where Can It Be Applied? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| miraDry | Device treats the area with microwave energy | Permanent, with best results after 2 sessions | Armpits | Single session - $2,150, Two sessions - $3,400 |
| Dermadry | Device treats the area with electric current | Must be used regularly to maintain results | Armpits, hands, and feet | $500 |
| Botox | Injections in the skin | Up to 3-4 months | Armpits | $1,000s+ |
miraDry vs Dermadry vs miraSmooth: Understanding Your Options
If you’re researching treatments for excessive underarm sweating, you may have come across miraDry, miraSmooth, and Dermadry. While these treatments share similarities, they each serve different purposes. Here’s what you need to know.
MiraDry is an FDA-cleared treatment that permanently reduces sweat and odor by eliminating sweat glands, delivering up to 82% sweat reduction and up to 89% odor reduction with long-lasting results.
MiraSmooth, while using the same microwave energy technology, is specifically designed for permanent underarm hair reduction, though it also impacts sweat glands. Some miraDry patients experience reduced hair growth, but if hair removal is your main goal, WIFH offers laser hair removal, which is more effective and customizable than miraSmooth.
For those seeking sweat reduction in the hands or feet, Dermadry is an at-home iontophoresis device that provides temporary relief but requires ongoing use to maintain results.
At WIFH, we specialize in miraDry because it offers the best long-term solution for underarm sweat and odor. We do not offer miraSmooth or Dermadry, as our focus is on treatments with proven, lasting results.
| Treatment | How It Works | How Long Results Last | Where Can It Be Applied? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| miraDry | Device treats the area with microwave energy | Permanent, with best results after 2 sessions | Armpits, reduces sweating and odor | Single session - $2,150, Two sessions - $3,400 |
| Dermadry | Device treats the area with electric current | Must be used regularly to maintain results | Armpits, hands, and feet | $500 |
| miraSmooth | Device treats the area with microwave energy | Permanent after 2 sessions | Armpits, reduces sweating and underarm hair | Similar cost as miraDry |
miraDry vs Dermadry vs Hidrex
Hidrex, like Dermadry, is part of the iontophoresis family of devices designed to treat excessive sweating. Hidrex offers three different models: one specifically for the underarms, another for the hands and feet, and a third that targets all three areas. While Hidrex is a prescription-only device, much like Dermadry, it provides temporary relief and requires ongoing treatments to maintain results. Once a prescription is prescribed, patients can purchase Hidrex over-the-counter or online.
However, if you’re looking for a more permanent solution, miraDry is the standout option. At WIFH, we proudly offer miraDry—the only FDA-cleared, permanent treatment for underarm sweating. Unlike Hidrex, which requires continuous maintenance, miraDry eliminates sweat glands in the underarms for lasting results typically after two treatments, making it the ideal choice for those seeking permanent relief.
While Hidrex is a good option for treating hands and feet, miraDry is the best option for underarm sweating, offering a permanent solution with minimal downtime. For the most effective, long-lasting results, miraDry at WIFH is your go-to choice.
| Treatment | How It Works | How Long Results Last | Where Can It Be Applied? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| miraDry | Device treats the area with microwave energy | Permanent, with best results after 2 sessions | Armpits, reduces sweating and odor | Single session - $2,150, Two sessions - $3,400 |
| Dermadry | Device treats the area with electric current | Must be used regularly to maintain results | Armpits, hands, and feet | $500 |
| Hidrex | Device treats the area with electric current | Must be used regularly to maintain results | Armpits, hands, and feet | $695 - $995 |
miraDry vs Dermadry vs Brella
Brella is an FDA-approved, in-office patch designed to temporarily reduce excessive underarm sweating. This non-invasive, aluminum-free treatment involves a clinician applying a thin sodium patch to the underarm for three minutes, where it reacts with sweat to generate heat that targets and reduces sweat production. While Brella offers relief for up to 3 to 4 months, the results are not permanent and require regular treatments.
For those seeking a permanent solution for underarm sweating and odor, WIFH exclusively offers miraDry—the only FDA-cleared treatment for permanent sweat and odor reduction. Unlike Brella, which offers temporary relief, miraDry eliminates sweat and odor glands in the underarms typically in two treatments, providing long-lasting, permanent results.
Dermadry is another device that treats excessive sweating in the underarms, hands, and feet through iontophoresis. While effective, Dermadry also provides temporary relief and requires ongoing treatments, unlike miraDry, which offers permanent underarm sweat and odor reduction with no maintenance.
At WIFH, we are proud to provide miraDry, the most effective permanent solution for underarm sweating. Say goodbye to excessive sweating and enjoy lasting relief.
| Treatment | How It Works | How Long Results Last | Where Can It Be Applied? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| miraDry | Device treats the area with microwave energy | Permanent, with best results after 2 sessions | Armpits, reduces sweating and odor | Single session - $2,150, Two sessions - $3,400 |
| Dermadry | Device treats the area with electric current | Must be used regularly to maintain results | Armpits, hands, and feet | $500 |
| Brella | Sodium patches generate heat to target sweat glands | 3 to 4 months | Armpits | $350 - $550 |
Treat Your Underarm Hyperhidrosis with WIFH’s Trusted Team of Clinicians
Finding the right treatment for hyperhidrosis can be overwhelming with so many options out there. At WIFH, we make the process easy by offering personalized care tailored to your unique needs. Our team of experienced clinicians are here to help you choose the most effective treatment, and we’re proud to offer miraDry — the only solution for permanent underarm sweat reduction. miraDry is FDA-cleared and delivers lasting results, freeing you from the constant worry of excessive sweating.
Take the first step toward sweat-free confidence. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our experts and get started on your hyperhidrosis treatment.
