Is There a Risk of Having a person Skin Burnt by miraDry?

Question

If a person has sensitive skin. Since it uses microwaves could it  burn their skin. Have you seen this happen or is it a non-concern?

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

This kind of serious complication is certainly possible but never encountered in our clinic. These are typical potential complications:

	There are 3 categories of  potential side effects associated with miraDry procedure.

	Common Side Effects:

	  - swelling in the treated area  ( 1-8  weeks)
	  - Soreness, discomfort or tenderness of the treated area  ( 2-3 weeks)
	  - altered sensation in or around treatment area  (1-12 weeks)
	  - redness from device suction ( few days)
	  - bruising at the injection sites ( few days)
	  - temporary bumps or lumpiness in the axilla ( 4-6 weeks)
	  - partial underarm hair loss  ( long term)

	Less Common Side Effects:

	  - swelling in adjacent arm or torso  ( 1 week)
	  - hyperpigmentation ( up to 8 weeks)
	  - soreness in arm or shoulder due to procedure positioning  ( few days)
	  - numbness or tingling in the arm due to anesthesia, lasting < 24 hours ( <1 day)
	  - tight band in the treated area ( up to 8 weeks)
	  - small blisters or rashes in the treatment area ( few weeks)

Melissa Chiang, MD, FAAD · Answer

miraDry works be delivering heat to the sweat glands.  The miraDry technology cools the skin so that the skin is not burned by the heat that is placed deep in the armpit.  If the operator removes the applicator before the cooling process is complete, it is possible that the skin could get burned.  However, this scenario would be very unlikely (it is analagous to getting out of your car before you put it in park).

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

After the miraDry treatment at the BioSpa Newport Beach, your
underarm sweat and odor glands will be eliminated. While your body does need
sweat glands to cool itself, your body contains 2-4 million sweat glands – only
about 2% are found in your underarms. Eliminating this 2% of sweat glands, does
not affect your body’s ability to cool itself. With over 30,000 treatments
worldwide, you can feel confident and safe With proper treatment , burns would be unusual .

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Although miraDry is getting a lot of attention recently, it has actually been around for a while. It has been extensively studied and there is no cancer association. The FDA has cleared it for safe use as well. The microwave energy only penetrates 4-5mm in depth and heats up and destroys the sweat and odor glands. The energy does not reach lymph nodes or deeper structures and it in non-ionizing radiation (the safe kind, like radiowaves). I have had the procedure done myself and it has truly been a gift. One and done for 80% of people! In the long term, much more cost-effective than Botox which has to be repeated every 3-6 months. Let us know if we can help in any way.Botox can be a good alternative while miradry is being approved for use in those areas. Botox prevents the nerves from telling the sweat glands to produce sweat and odor. Hope that helps!And we are the busiest miraDry practice in California with great results.  Let us know if you can help in any way.

Bradley A. Hubbard, MD · Answer

The MiraDry device does use energy that creates heat. The device has been designed to keep the skin as cool as possible and prevent burns. In my practice, I have not seen any significant burns. I have seen redness and superficial blistering, but that has been rare. Best of luck!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Miradry will work well to reduce excess sweating in the axillary area. The technology minimizes the risks of burning as the energy is applied deeper into tissue. Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

William Ting, MD · Answer

MiraDry technology delivers cool zone to protect top layer of the skin while providing a heat zone below that wipes out most of the sweat glands at the underarms. On very rare occasion when there is bruising, we offer courtesy VBeam laser which can expedite resolution of any black and blue on the skin after MiraDry treatment for excessive underarm sweating or hyperhidrosis.

Shareef Jandali, MD · Answer

We have not had any issue with burns or blisters of the skin with MiraDry.  However, there is a potential low risk.  This can occur if there is improper or inadequate numbing of the area with the tumescent lidocaine.  Another possible source of burns on the skin is from the ice packs after the treatment.  Patients need to be careful to cover any ice pack with a paper towel or hand towel so that the numb skin does not get frost bite by excessive icing or direct contact with an ice pack.  Frost bite of the area can cause a burn or hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin).

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

A burn should not be of any concern.  I have never seen one happen in my practice nor heard of it with any of my colleagues.  It is a safe and effective technique/treatment. Dr. Grant Stevens       Marina Plastic
Surgery Associates             Marina del Rey, CA              The Institute

Joshua L. Fox, MD · Answer

The miraDry procedure utilizes microwave technology to selectively target and eliminate sweat glands in the armpits by focusing electromagnetic waves at a specific level in the body where sweat glands are located. Energy at this specific level of treatment does not significantly reach the fat to cause any change to the fat, nor does it cause any burning of the skin because of built-in cooling within the miraDry treatment handpiece.

Is There a Risk of Having a person Skin Burnt by miraDry?

Answers (18)

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