Don't sweat the small stuff: a new way to curb perspiration

(BPT) - For most people, sporting a sweat-drenched T-shirt at the gym is no big deal. However, wearing a sweat-stained blouse or shirt at work or in a social setting is an entirely different, and in many cases mortifying, scenario. One in five adults are bothered by their underarm sweat and suffer silently, going to great lengths to conceal the unsightly effects. It is an embarrassing condition, impacting both men and women, and often negatively interfering with a person's social and professional life.

In fact, an overwhelming majority (75 percent) of sweat-bothered people have actually avoided a social situation - such as going on a date or attending a networking event - due to embarrassment from underarm sweat, according to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by Miramar Labs. But perhaps more surprising, approximately half of those surveyed (45 percent) have chosen to not pursue a certain job or career because of their condition.

"People don't realize how excessive sweat impacts your life. What I wear, how I feel. At work, it takes a toll confidence-wise, especially during interviews. The more nervous I am, the worse it gets," says Katelyn Endres-Davies, a sweat sufferer living in Chicago.

Most people aren't aware of solutions beyond antiperspirants. Even medications and prescription antiperspirants provide only temporary relief and are largely ineffective. However, there is a new in-office procedure that provides a lasting reduction in embarrassing underarm sweat. The miraDry procedure, cleared by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, delivers energy noninvasively to the area under the arm where the sweat glands reside, which creates localized heat to destroy and eliminate the glands. Since sweat glands do not regenerate, results are lasting. The elimination of these sweat glands only impacts roughly 2 percent of the more than 4 million sweat glands that cover the body and won't affect the body's ability to cool itself.

"Underarm sweat can be debilitating and can have a huge impact on someone's lifestyle and quality of life," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director, Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, Washington, D.C. "I often see patients who are looking for options that provide lasting results to prevent excessive underarm sweat from interfering with their lives. This new procedure has shown to reduce uncomfortable and embarrassing sweat, on average, by 82 percent according to a recent study."

People who have long suffered from the impact of underarm sweat can take comfort in knowing there is a new option - one that is designed to provide lasting results. For people who are sweat-bothered and are interested in learning more about this new procedure, please visit www.miraDry.com or contact your dermatologist to determine the appropriate option for you.