miraDry in Tokyo: How the Treatment Works, Downtime and Cost (English Guide)

Introduction

This page is for those who want to treat underarm odor or excessive sweating without surgery, or who are looking for an English-friendly clinic in Tokyo. Here you will find an overview of how miraDry works, what to expect on the day of treatment, downtime, and pricing.

miraDry is a non-surgical treatment for underarm odor (axillary osmidrosis) and hyperhidrosis that uses microwave energy to heat and eliminate sweat glands. The device has received approval from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as well as the U.S. FDA. miraDry is a self-pay (out-of-pocket) treatment and is not covered by public health insurance. At our clinic, treatment starts from ¥169,500 (tax included) for a single Standard Plan, and the procedure is completed in one visit. IC Clinic Tokyo is a few minutes’ walk from Tokyo Station’s Yaesu Exit, and patients who do not speak Japanese are welcome to use a translation app during their consultation.

What Is miraDry?

The underarm area contains two types of sweat glands: eccrine glands, which produce a primarily water-based sweat, and apocrine glands, which produce sweat containing the components responsible for body odor. miraDry delivers microwave energy through the skin to heat and eliminate both types of glands. The handpiece simultaneously cools the skin surface during treatment, which is designed to help protect the surrounding tissue.

Because no incisions are made, there are no surgical scars. Sweat glands that have been eliminated are not expected to regenerate, so long-lasting results may be anticipated; however, individual results vary. A single treatment session is generally estimated to eliminate approximately 70–80% of sweat glands in the treated area. Depending on the severity of symptoms, a second treatment session may be considered.

Who Is a Candidate / Who Should Not Receive Treatment

miraDry is intended for individuals with underarm odor (axillary osmidrosis), underarm hyperhidrosis, or both. During the consultation, the physician will assess the degree of your symptoms and determine whether miraDry is appropriate for you. If you are interested in the insurance-covered surgical option (suction-assisted curettage), please refer to our separate underarm odor treatment page for details.

Treatment may not be performed on the day of your visit if any of the following apply: you have an electronic implanted medical device such as a pacemaker; there is a malignant condition or active infection in the treatment area; you are pregnant or may be pregnant; you are taking gold-based medications (used for rheumatoid arthritis); or you are undergoing treatment for epilepsy. For minors, local anesthetic dosage is subject to body weight restrictions, so please contact us in advance. Parental accompaniment or a signed consent form from a parent or guardian is required for any procedure.

What to Expect on the Day / Treatment Duration

1. Consultation (approx. 30 minutes): Assessment of your symptoms and underarm odor level. Our staff will communicate with you in English using a translation app.
2. Marking (approx. 20 minutes): The treatment area is mapped out and marked.
3. Local anesthesia (approx. 10 minutes): Injections are administered at multiple points. A vibration device is used during the injections to help minimize discomfort.
4. Treatment (approx. 1 hour): Microwave energy is delivered via the handpiece while the skin is suctioned gently. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia; however, some patients may experience a brief tingling sensation.
5. Cooling (approx. 15 minutes): The treated area is cooled to help reduce swelling and inflammation before you leave.

The procedure itself takes approximately one hour. Including changing time and anesthesia, the total visit is typically 1.5 to 2 hours. Depending on availability, treatment on the same day as your consultation may be possible.

Downtime and Side Effects

Immediately after the procedure, the local anesthesia will still be in effect. As it wears off, some patients experience a tingling sensation or feeling of tightness in the treated area. Swelling and discomfort tend to peak around one day after treatment; most patients find that discomfort subsides within approximately two weeks. Pain relief medication will be prescribed at our clinic.

General recovery timelines are as follows: swelling, discomfort, and a sense of tightness may last 3–4 weeks; firmness or lumps may persist for 4–6 weeks; numbness or changes in sensation may occur for 1–12 weeks; and minor blistering or a rash may appear for a few weeks. Some reduction in underarm hair may occur, and any reduction is permanent. In rare cases, skin redness, persistent pain, raised or hardened areas, or ulceration may occur. Our English booking page lists “1–4 weeks” as a general downtime reference.

• Showering is permitted from the day of treatment; soaking in a bathtub is permitted from the following day.
• Follow-up appointments are recommended at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment. Follow-up consultations are provided at no charge. Remote follow-up by email or equivalent is also available for patients who live far away.

Pricing (Tax Included / Standard Rates)

All prices include anesthesia and procedure fees. Consultation, initial examination, and follow-up visit fees are all complimentary. As this is a self-pay treatment, it is not covered by public health insurance. Promotional pricing may be available at certain times. Credit card payment is accepted.

When to Expect Results / Second Treatment

Results are generally expected to stabilize approximately three to six months after treatment. Some sweat glands that were not fully eliminated during the initial session may resume activity over time, which can cause sweating or odor to return to some degree. In such cases, or when symptoms are more severe, a second treatment session may be considered. A two-session plan is also available at our clinic. The degree and duration of results vary among individuals.

FAQ

Q. How does miraDry differ from insurance-covered underarm odor surgery?

A. The insurance-covered procedure (suction-assisted curettage) involves making incisions to remove sweat glands surgically. The estimated out-of-pocket cost with a 30% co-payment is approximately ¥21,000 per underarm. miraDry is a non-surgical, self-pay treatment. Please discuss with your physician during the consultation to determine which option is more suitable for you.

Q. Can I receive treatment if I am traveling from overseas or from outside Tokyo?

A. Yes. We welcome patients from across Japan and from some locations abroad. After coordinating the schedule during your consultation, you are welcome to return home on the same day as your treatment. Remote follow-up by email or equivalent is also available to monitor your recovery.

Q. Is it possible to receive treatment on the same day as my consultation?

A. This may be possible depending on availability. If you would like to request this, please indicate so in the appointment booking form.

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Supervising physician: Kota Takakuwa, M.D., IC Clinic Tokyo