The FDA has just cleared miraDry for the removal and permanent reduction of armpit hair. The product, which uses “precisely controlled microwave energy” to remove hair, has been used for years to treat excessive armpit sweat. You can now microwave your underarms for smooth, sweat-free pits.
For the treatment, doctors use a machine that kind of looks like a grocery store scan gun and essentially run it back and forth across your armpits. The procedure uses local anesthesia to minimize pain, and it takes about 40 minutes, according to the miraDry website. “All patients will experience soreness under their arms for a few days after the procedure,” the site reads, adding that some people have “temporary, short-term altered sensation” in their armpits or upper arms, but it gradually disappears.
But women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, M.D., is a little wary. “The use of microwave technology has been established for sweating, and the safety and efficiency has been well-established,” she says. “But despite the FDA approval, there’s not much long-term information and data on safety and efficacy for hair removal.” Something to keep in mind, per Wider: Microwaves can heat the water and fat in the area, so you can experience redness, swelling, and even burns in your armpits.
If armpit hair is a serious issue and you want to zap sweaty pits in the process, it might be worth looking into this procedure. It’s best to stick with your razor if you just want smooth pits…..
See full story on womenshealthmag.com
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