Should I trust a medical assistant to do my miradry procedure?

Question

Had a consultation yesterday at a very nice dermatology clinic. I met with the woman who would be doing my miradry. I Asked her if she was a RN and she said no I am a medical assistant. She also said the whole procedure takes 2-2.5 hours but when I was researching online I read it only takes about an hour. I asked her how long she has been doing it she said a year. Hmmmm Do they license medical assistants to do miradry? Or is this clinic crazy?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

I am a leading expert in Miradry and have had excellent results with the treatment. I have co-authored a book on the subject and have always given my patients the option of having me do the treatments personally. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Each state has different rules. In Arizona, medical assistants can inject under the supervision of an MD. However, I usually do the the numbing part and the treatment is done by the PA or the MA. We have found it safe to allow both my PA and MA to perform part of the procedure.
 Excessive sweating from the underarms can be a real problem.  When using MiraDry it is common to require a second treatment. Most people only need one treatment (72%) while much less require a second (28%) treatment.
I think you should ask this question to the doctor in charge at the clinic and make sure you are comfortable before having the procedure. 
Good luck. Dr. ALDO

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Medical assistants may not inject the anesthetic for MiraDry.  Make sure a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant is doing that part.  Only those people can inject patients.

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question! In our practice, our Nurse Practitioner and PA's do all of our miraDry treatments. We feel most comfortable with this setup because of their extensive experience and training. As mentioned below, it must be a licensed individual to do the injections. However, the actual procedure (due to the technology it uses) can be performed by a trained medical assistant. It seems many practices do have MD's, PA's, NP's due to the need to be experienced & well trained. MiraDry can eliminate sweating and odor in as little as one treatment. Also, they just received an indication for hair removal of all colors! Just another benefit to this treatment! Please call us for more information or a complementary consultation! Thank you!

Joshua L. Fox, MD · Answer

The injection of anesthesia should be done by a physician or physician assistant, but the actual procedure can be done by a trained medical assistant.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.Physicians, Physician assistants (PA) or nurse practitioners under the guidance of a physician should perform miraDry.It is a medical procedure with risks, such as nerve injury, which only properly trained professionals understand. Anesthetics are injected and I don't think that this is allowed for medical assistants ! Read the miraDry book.Dr Karamanoukian

Phillip Bekhor, MBBS, FACD · Answer

You are right to be concerned. miraDry is a medical procedure that involves not only sound anatomical knowledge but injection of large doses of lignocaine local anaesthetic, which, in uncontrolled high doses can be toxic. Your suitability for the treatment should be assessed by a dermatologist and treatment administered either by the doctor or senior nursing staff under the supervision and guidance of the doctor. At our practice only experienced registered nurses perform miraDry treatment.

Should I trust a medical assistant to do my miradry procedure?

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