What Happens to Your Sweat After miraDry® Eliminates Underarm Sweat Glands?

When our patients come in for a treatment that permanently eliminates underarm sweat glands, they often want to know where the sweat goes and whether this negatively affects the body’s ability to regulate temperature. As the top miraDry provider in the region, we have guided patients through this treatment and its aftereffects for years and can tell you exactly what to expect once these glands are gone. At VITAHL in Denver, CO, we offer this treatment alongside many other medical and cosmetic options.

How Many Sweat Glands Does the Body Have?

The human body has between two and four million sweat glands distributed across nearly every surface of the skin. They are concentrated heavily on the hands and feet as well as across the face, back, chest and limbs. The underarms, despite being the area most associated with sweat, have only about 2%% of the body’s total glands. miraDry targets and eliminates these glands specifically, leaving the remaining 98% intact and fully functional.

What miraDry Does Below the Skin

miraDry uses electromagnetic energy to heat and destroy glands, in just one hour-long session.

How Thermal Energy Reaches the Glands

During a miraDry treatment, a handheld device is pressed against the underarm skin. It delivers electromagnetic energy to the depth of sweat and odor glands, typically a few millimeters below the surface. The energy converts to heat at that specific depth, disrupting the cellular structure of the glands. The surrounding tissue above and below the target zone is unaffected by the heat.

How the Treatment Protects the Skin

The miraDry procedure continuously cools the surface of the skin while the thermal energy is delivered beneath it. This protects the surface from getting too hot, while still allowing enough heat to permanently destroy the glands. We also use local anesthesia on the underarm to keep you comfortable during the session.

Why Eliminated Glands Never Return

While skin cells regenerate regularly, sweat and odor glands do not grow back once destroyed. The cells that form glandular tissue are not replaced by the body after thermal damage, so miraDry produces permanent sweat reduction.

The Two Types of Glands miraDry Removes

Two distinct types of glands in the underarm are responsible for sweating. Eccrine glands release a watery, odorless fluid that helps regulate the body’s temperature. Apocrine glands, which are concentrated in the underarms and groin, release a thicker, protein-rich secretion that interacts with bacteria on the skin to produce odor. These types are at different depths within the dermis. This excessive sweating treatment eliminates both, which is why patients experience a reduction in both sweat volume and odor after treatment.

Will the Rest of My Body Compensate?

Our patients are often concerned that treating the glands in their armpits will cause extra sweating in other areas. Compensatory sweating, where the body increases sweat output in other areas to make up for treated glands, is not a documented effect of miraDry. The glands in your back, chest, hands and feet were already working before the miraDry underarm treatment and will continue to function normally. Removing 2% of your total gland count does not trigger the remaining glands to produce more sweat.

How Your Body Regulates Temperature After miraDry

Sweating exists to cool the body. When your core temperature rises, sweat glands release moisture that evaporates from the skin and dissipates heat. This function continues normally after miraDry. The 98% of glands unaffected by the sweat gland removal are more than sufficient to maintain thermoregulation. Patients who run, work in the heat or are active in Denver’s warmer months report no change in how their body handles temperature.

What Is Different in Your Daily Life After miraDry

• No Underarm Sweat: The glands are permanently gone, so there is no longer a pathway for sweat to form or accumulate after this underarm sweat treatment.
• No Underarm Odor: Because apocrine glands are also eliminated, the source of underarm odor is removed.
• No Dependence on Deodorant: Most patients are able to stop using deodorant or antiperspirant altogether. Some keep using light products by preference, but it is no longer a necessity.
• No More Yellow Staining on Clothing: Antiperspirant residue and sweat are what cause yellowing in the underarm area of shirts. With both gone, this stops.
• Less Anxiety in High-Stakes Moments: Patients who previously managed sweat and odor in meetings or personal and professional situations are freed from the stress of excess sweat during anxious times.

Sweating During Exercise After miraDry

fter miraDry, patients sweat normally in every other part of the body during physical activity. You will still notice sweat on your back, chest, arms and forehead, but your underarms will stay dry. We recommend avoiding intense exercise for a few days after treatment while the underarm area recovers, but then you can resume normal training. Your athletic performance and cooling capacity will not be affected.

How Soon Will I See Results?

miraDry sweat reduction in the underarms is noticeable immediately after miraDry treatments. The glands are destroyed during the session, so you don’t have to wait for results. Odor reduction is also immediate. Some residual moisture may occur in the first few days as the tissue settles, but patients usually notice a major change starting the day of the appointment.

What Does the Recovery Period Look Like?

The First 48 Hours

There is minimal downtime with miraDry, and you can expect to return to normal activities the same day. You may experience swelling and soreness in the underarm area for the first 24 to 48 hours. The area may feel tender to the touch and there may be some bruising from the thermal energy. You can use ice packs or over-the-counter medications for pain relief during this time.

Changes Over the Following Two Weeks

Swelling typically clears within the first week. There may be some temporary changes in the sensation of the underarm, including numbness. This occurs because of the proximity of the nerves and usually resolves on its own.

Full Results

Once the swelling subsides and the tissue has fully healed, you will have your full result. No additional sessions are usually needed for sweat and odor relief. Some patients may choose a second session for additional reduction, which you can discuss with your provider at a follow-up appointment.

Common Questions About miraDry

Does miraDry also reduce underarm hair?

The thermal energy delivered during miraDry reaches the depth of hair follicles in the underarm, not just sweat and odor glands. Most patients notice a visible reduction in underarm hair growth after treatment. This is not the primary purpose of miraDry, but it is a consistent secondary result that many patients welcome.

What should I do to prepare for my miraDry appointment?

Shave the underarm area a few days before your appointment, not the morning of. Avoid applying deodorant or antiperspirant on treatment day. Wear or bring a comfortable short-sleeved shirt that allows easy access to the underarm, and let your VITAHL provider know about any medications or supplements you are taking before the session is scheduled.

What does the treatment feel like while it’s happening?

Local anesthesia is administered to both underarms before the device is used. Once the area is numb, most patients feel suction from the handpiece and mild warmth during energy delivery. The full session takes approximately one hour.

Is miraDry safe for all skin tones?

miraDry targets glands based on their depth beneath the skin, not on skin pigmentation. The treatment does not affect melanin or skin color and is appropriate for patients across the full range of skin tones. The FDA has cleared miraDry as a safe, non-invasive treatment for the underarm.

Can miraDry be used to treat sweating in other areas of the body?

miraDry is FDA-cleared for use on the underarms only. It is not approved for treating sweat on the palms, soles of the feet or other areas. Patients with sweating concerns elsewhere can discuss alternative options with a VITAHL provider during a consultation. Our team can help identify the most appropriate path based on your specific situation.

Is there anything that would disqualify someone from miraDry?

Patients who are pregnant, have a pacemaker or an implanted cardiac device, or have had previous surgery in the underarm area may not be candidates. Certain skin conditions in the treatment area can also affect eligibility. A consultation at VITAHL will cover your full health history before any treatment is scheduled.

Does insurance cover miraDry for hyperhidrosis patients?

miraDry is usually not covered by most insurance plans, even with a formal diagnosis of hyperhidrosis. You can contact your insurer directly for more information.

bout Us

VITAHL is a medical aesthetics practice in Denver, Colorado, offering non-surgical treatments for skin, body and sweat concerns. Located in Cherry Creek at 251 Steele Street, Suite 100, VITAHL is recognized as the top miraDry provider in North America. We also offer Botox for sweat as an alternative for patients who want a temporary option. Whether you are looking for a hyperhidrosis treatment or simply want to stop worrying about underarm sweat, we will help you determine the right path forward.

Explore miraDry at VITAHL in Denver

If you are ready to stop managing underarm sweat and odor, miraDry at VITAHL offers a permanent, non-invasive option. Call us at 303-388-7380 or visit our Cherry Creek location to schedule a consultation. We will review your health history and help you determine if miraDry is right for you.