My Detailed Miradry Experience-Washington DC. Fulton, MD

It's been two weeks since my first procedure. I iced and kept up with Ibprofen for about a week and had a surprisingly swift and easy recovery. My underarms are mostly back to normal; however there is one large-ish soft lump under my left arm, and a very small swollen lump under my right. Not painful, just a bit unnerving. I'm not gonna get worked up about it though, after all, I did just microwave away all my sweat glands! If they're not back to normal in a couple of months I'll call my physician.

My first week back to work and school--I had some very strange "phantom sweating!" I felt like I was sweating profusely but when I ducked into a restroom to check--nothing! And now-I am sweat free! I have worn silk blouses, bright colors, and everything I was too nervous to wear before the procedure, and haven't sweat through any of them! I could not be more thrilled. It's surprising how quickly your mindset changes--I don't even think about it anymore!!! :) Will update again after 2nd procedure.

I'll start by saying that I have had moderate-to-severe hyperhidrosis for over ten years. My wardrobe consists of black tops, in cotton only. Forget about silk blouses. Light colors? Not a chance. Sweat itself has no odor, but I've noticed that it mixing with certain fabrics can lead to a not-so pleasant smell. Basically, my sweating issue has been at the forefront of my mind for most of my adult life. "Lift your arm in a way that nobody can see your armpit." "God, that top is beautiful, I wish I could wear something like it, but I'll sweat right through it!" "Do you think anyone can smell my sweat?"

Finally, I'd had ENOUGH ALREADY! I've been a student for many years but after doing much research on the Miradry procedure, I saved up enough at my table-waiting job to pay in cash. Luckily, the health center I used had a slight discount for first-time patients and I also qualified for $1000 in care credit. I signed up for the care credit, went in for a free initial consultation, scheduled the appointment, and requested 4 days off of work for healing, just in case.

I was told to shave my underarms the day before the procedure, purchase new deodorant and have a fresh razor, and make sure I had Ibprofen and ice on hand. Check, check, check. I also intend to change my clothes/sheets often during the healing process, just cause I'm a cleanliness freak.

I drove 20 minutes to the appointment, feeling more excited than nervous. I'd had laser hair removal done before and thought the process might be similar. According to the office manager, some people get really nervous before anything involving needles or requiring heal time. I'll tell you right now--you have nothing to be nervous about!

They started by cleaning my underarms, because I had applied deodorant earlier and was sweating a bit. Next, they measure your underarm. Then, they draw on a "grid tattoo" so the RN or Dr. knows where to inject the lidocaine and place the laser. You then get a series of small lidocaine shots right under the skin. They do a row of maybe 15 shots up and down. You'll feel a slight pinching. Honestly, the needles are so small, it's no big deal! Then they do all the shots side to side. By this point, you're already numbing from the up and down shots, so you can feel the next set of shots even less. Then they start the procedure. It is a laser that sucks to your skin and is held for a few seconds in each spot. You can feel the suction and also a bit of warmth. As weird as it sounds, this part was kind of enjoyable and calming! I started on a level 4.

Next, they moved on to my left arm. Apparently everyone has one side that will hurt a bit more-that's def my left side. I've noticed I always sweat more on my left side too. So the shots pinched a bit more, but again, nothing I couldn't handle! Same process: suction, warmth, release. By the time I was finished, about an hour and 45 minutes had passed. They started icing my right underarm while finishing my left; then I was left in the room to ice both sides for another 15 minutes. I felt fine, although a bit shaky. The lidocaine in the shots makes most people a bit uneasy and shaky, just a heads up. It is fine, but can be a bit unnerving if not expecting it. After icing, I popped 800 mgs of Ibprofen, paid my bill, made an appt for the second session in 90 days, and drove myself home, 20 minutes away. I was still completely numb at this time and felt no pain. I even went to Trader Joe's and got myself a frozen pizza and some snacks as I planned on vegging on the couch for a couple days.

I kept ice on pretty much nonstop for the rest of the day, and kept up with Ibprofen around the clock. Be sure to do this! Even if you feel fine you should take it to manage the swelling. 800 mgs every 8 hours or 600 mgs every 6 hours. I set an alarm to make sure I was keeping on top of it. I felt no pain the entire day, but my underarms definitely started swelling so I was a bit uncomfortable as I couldn't lay my arms down completely.

I went to sleep expecting to be in pain the next day, as per a couple reviews I had read on this site. I woke up the next morning....nothing! I felt fine!! Still, I kept my movement to a minimum, iced nonstop, and kept up with the Ibprofen around the clock. I was even more swollen, so a bit uncomfortable from that, but really, it didn't hurt! Toward the evening I realized I needed to shower-I hadn't washed my underarms since the day before. I was also worried this would hurt. I put the water on a medium temp and used a mild Cetaphil soap (also make sure you have a mild soap to use-nothing scented or any scrubs for a week at least). Again, no pain! Touching my underarms felt more weird from the perception of the hand doing the touching, not being touched. They are a bit lumpy, swollen, and bruised, but I am in awe of how quickly I am healing.

Today is day 3. I woke up again in no pain. Swelling has decreased. Took my Ibprofen, but needing to get out of the house or risking Cabin Fever, I have put off the icing. I will go home and ice from 3 PM-bedtime, around midnight. Putting on a bra was a bit uncomfortable, as the shots and bruising does go down far toward your bra line. Skip it if possible. I haven't sweat at all, but its a bit early to tell as I am still swollen a bit and haven't done any real physical exertion.

I intend to keep cleaning with the Cetaphil, icing, and Ibprofen-ing for a week. I will update you again then, and after my second procedure! (So far though, my gut says to tell you to DO IT! The healing process has been a piece of cake!)