Miradry worked for me. London, GB

I don't have hyperhidrosis, but would say I sweat more than average for someone who is cold most of the time and doesn't lead an especially active lifestyle. I have yet to find an antiperspirant deodorant that prevents sweat patches or odour, and I've tried them all. I really don't like the idea of blocking my pores with aluminium either. Sadly, the natural alternatives are utterly ineffective. I'm scrupulously clean, shower twice daily and lead a healthy lifestyle, yet by mid-afternoon I stink like a leather-clad, hairy biker! I've had to leave events early because of my sweating and BO, so it definitely affects my social life. It's certainly exacerbated by nerves or anxiety, so dates and exams are a sweaty nightmare! Despite a severe needle phobia, I tried underarm botox once just for some relief. It worked perfectly for 3 months, but is not something I wanted to repeat.

I heard about Miradry several years ago. Fortunately, the price has decreased slightly since it's inception, the treatment protocol has improved and I've also had plenty of time to research and read reviews, so I knew what to expect. I had a consultation with Spirithoula Koukoufikis at the Phi Clinic in London. She's had the treatment herself and was very knowledgable and well-informed and conducts several Miradry treatments per week. I had the treatment 2 days ago, so it's too soon to say if it was worth it, but I haven't had any sweating or odour so far. I will briefly explain the steps for anyone else who is apprehensive about the procedure...

I informed the practitioner of my phobia of needles and requested numbing cream first (which they don't normally do) and asked that I don't see any needles. My underarms were marked and I sat for a while with the numbing cream, then it was cleaned off and iodine and starch were applied before photos were taken of the area of sweating. At that point the lovely RN Sarah arrived to administer the anaesthetic and saline. She was very careful to ensure all the paraphernalia was kept out of sight. First there were 3 lidocaine injections to numb the area. In fact, my entire arms, hands and fingers went totally numb. I felt it course through my body and began to shake in response to the adrenaline, a normal reaction. Then a canula was used to insert saline in various points, to lift the skin away from the nerves. This was the worst part for me because it took quite a while and I could feel the repeated prodding and began to freak out. However, they chatted to me to take my mind off it and politely ignored my swearing!

The actual Mirady part took about 10 minutes on each side and was totally painless. There was some slight suction as the skin was pulled into the handpiece and 'zapped'. The practitioner followed a grid pattern to ensure full, even coverage. There were some graze-like marks afterwards and one bruise. I was given Fucibet, an antibiotic cream to apply 3 times a day, as well as a couple of small ice packs for the swelling.

I was still completely numb and had to be helped into my top and fumbled quite a bit with the door to leave. It was a bit disconcerting trying to get home with useless jelly arms. Fortunately, sensation returned after an hour. The lumpy swelling was quite spectacular and I couldn't rest my arms at my side. I had small frozen water bottles to use, but they were too big so I just used the small ice packs they'd given me, wrapped in kitchen towel. I only took one dose of ibuprofen and have been taking Arnica 3x a day since.

The soreness and swelling have gone down quite a bit already. I'll have to wait and see how much sweating and odour, if any, returns. I can safely say that I probably won't be able to go through a second treatment though, because it was quite an ordeal (for me). However, they do offer the second treatment at a reduced price.

The worst of the swelling has gone and I'm left with some pretty gnarly lumps, which are tender to the touch.There's some residual numbness too. I decided to go back to the Clinic for a quick check up today and the Practitioner said it all looks good and was impressed there was no bruising (I guess the Arnica really works.) She advised me to massage the bumps with some cream to help smooth out the knotty tissue. I stopped applying the antibiotic cream yesterday and haven't had any sweating or odour so far, so no need for deodorant either. She said that the skin felt nice and dry, but that I would probably get some sweating return. I'll update again if/when that happens.

*I had my treatment on a Friday afternoon and would say it's fine to go back to work on the Monday, as long as it's not a physically demanding or active job, in order to avoid the possibility of developing banding (a rope-like puckering of the skin and tissue). In any case, I was assured that the lumps/bumps and even banding will resolve on their own after a few weeks-months.

Still no sweating! It's totally bizarre to get out of the shower and straight into your clothes without applying any antiperspirant/deodorant. I decided to shave for the first time since the procedure. (I have very little underarm hair due to laser hair removal years ago, and even less has grown back since the Miradry.) It's very disconcerting to run a razor over completely numb, bumpy skin - I couldn't feel a thing. Massaging the lumps in the shower is still a little tender though. I get the occasional stabbing pain in my upper arm or armpit as things settle and heal. Nothing else to report at this stage.