Key Summary
Underarm botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the nerve signals that trigger sweating, while miraDry uses heat to reduce local sweat glands. Repeated injections are the main ongoing burden of botulinum toxin; miraDry involves a higher initial cost and post-treatment swelling and pain. Odor, the duration you want and your recovery schedule matter alongside sweat reduction.
How do underarm Botox and miraDry differ?
Botulinum toxin suppresses sweat-gland activity, whereas miraDry damages sweat glands with heat. Botulinum toxin is injected at multiple points in the underarm skin. As its effect wears off and sweating returns, treatment is repeated.
For miraDry, the sweating area is marked and locally anesthetized before energy is delivered. The device cools the skin surface while treating the area beneath it where sweat glands are concentrated. It does not involve an open incision, but does involve anesthetic injections and recovery. Official Korean miraDry information
| Comparison | Underarm botulinum toxin | miraDry |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Blocks signals that trigger sweat secretion | Heat reduces sweat glands |
| Procedure | Injections at multiple points | Device treatment after local anesthesia |
| Maintenance | Repeat as the drug effect fades | Aims for long-term sweat reduction |
| Main burdens | Injection pain and repeated cost | Initial cost, swelling and lingering soreness |
How much does sweating decrease, and when does treatment start working?
Both treatments reduce sweating; miraDry does not always produce a larger reduction. A 2024 trial treated one underarm with botulinum toxin and the other with miraDry in 30 participants.
| Reduction measured by sweat weight | Botulinum toxin | miraDry |
|---|---|---|
| At 6 months | 74% | 58% |
| At 1 year | 79% | 73% |
These percentages are medians: the middle values when participants' reductions are ordered. Botulinum toxin produced a greater reduction at 6 months; results were similar at 1 year. This within-person comparison does not establish identical results for every product or treatment technique. Direct comparison trial, PMID 38495540
Assess botulinum toxin over the following days rather than on treatment day. The American Academy of Dermatology describes onset at about 7–10 days and underarm effects lasting 3–10 months. Return for review when sweating again interferes with daily life rather than assuming everyone needs treatment exactly every 6 months. American Academy of Dermatology treatment guide
Some miraDry reviewers noticed reduced sweating immediately, but anesthesia and swelling are still present that day. As usual activities resume, assess how much clothing gets wet and whether odor has changed.
Do these treatments also reduce underarm odor and hair?
Botulinum toxin can reduce odor along with sweat; longer-lasting odor and hair reduction are additional features of miraDry. In the comparison trial, odor decreased after both treatments, while odor and hair reduction were more pronounced on the miraDry side at 1 year.
If odor persists despite less sweating, have its location and the skin examined. Explain separately whether wet clothing or odor remaining after washing is your main concern. A reduction in underarm hair is also different from completing hair removal to your preferred extent.
What did Gangnam Unni and Babitalk reviewers like or find disappointing?
Botulinum toxin reviewers described less-wet summer clothing, while miraDry reviewers described reductions in sweat and odor. Injection pain, repeated cost, prolonged swelling and remaining sweat also appeared as concerns.
| Search term | Gangnam Unni | Babitalk |
|---|---|---|
| Underarm botulinum toxin | 4,766 | 144 |
| miraDry | 107 | 49 |
These are displayed search-result counts on October 24, 2026. They include follow-up posts by the same person and some posts involving other procedures.
Gangnam Unni, underarm botulinum toxin, posted September 28, 2026
여름에 뽀송해서 너무 좋았어요. 세달이상 지속되어서 만족했습니다.
English translation: I loved staying dry in summer. I was satisfied because it lasted more than three months.
Source: Gangnam Unni underarm botulinum toxin reviews. The full review body.
Other posts described plans to repeat injections the next summer or when sweating increased again. Some found the injections brief and tolerable, while others found them very painful. Anesthesia and the area injected also matter.
Babitalk, miraDry review 7171454, treatment date May 2, 2025
제일 중요한 땀이 안나서 행복해요 !!
English translation: Most importantly, I'm happy that I'm not sweating!!
Source: Babitalk miraDry reviews. One sentence from the review.
At one week, this reviewer reported that most swelling had subsided but some pain remained. Satisfaction and recovery discomfort coexisted.
Gangnam Unni, miraDry, posted February 16, 2026, edited review
시술은 좋은 데 반해 회복이 굉장히 깁니다.
English translation: The treatment is good, but recovery is very long.
Source: Gangnam Unni miraDry reviews. One sentence from the review.
Another edited review described initial satisfaction followed by concern about remaining sweat and odor and the cost of another session. Reduced sweating, disappointment about not being completely dry and recovery pain are separate aspects of an experience. Personal reduction estimates in reviews are not treatment-effect rates for all patients.
Is there a clinic case of switching from Botox to miraDry?
Iji Dongan Clinic's Gangnam Main Branch published a one-month miraDry follow-up for a patient concerned about short-lived botulinum toxin effects and repeated treatment. The patient described by Jae-woon Do developed more underarm sweat and odor after childbirth, with wet clothing and daily discomfort.
The patient felt previous injections had not lasted long and chose miraDry after discussing cost and recovery. The clinic marked the sweating area according to its extent and the underarm contour, then used local anesthesia. At one month, the patient reported less running sweat, odor and disruption to daily life.
The published follow-up extends to one month. Photographs did not quantitatively measure sweat or odor reduction. Ask: “Can you assess why my previous injections seemed short-lived and where sweating remains?” Iji Dongan Clinic case, published August 5, 2026
Is one miraDry session enough, and does remaining sweat require retreatment?
Some people are satisfied after one session; others have another session for remaining sweat. Reducing glands does not guarantee that every trace of sweat disappears forever. The American Academy of Dermatology describes 1–2 treatment visits.
Min Clinic describes considering another session at least 6 months after the first, following a clinician's assessment. This is that clinic's guidance, not a universal interval. Early swelling should be assessed together with remaining symptoms rather than immediately labeling treatment a failure or recurrence. Min Clinic recovery and additional-treatment guidance
If you previously had injections, provide the date, product, units and when the effect began to fade. Discuss whether an earlier treatment is still active before planning to combine both methods.
Which hurts more during treatment and afterward?
Botulinum toxin involves multiple injections; miraDry discomfort includes anesthetic injections and pain after the anesthesia wears off. The distinction is not simply that a device hurts more or a needle hurts less.
In the direct trial, pain during treatment was greater with botulinum toxin, but discomfort at day 2 was greater with miraDry. The miraDry procedure included local anesthesia. Ask about the anesthetic method, pain relief after returning home and discomfort with arm movement, not just procedure time.
When can I return to work, exercise or shaving?
Returning to work and returning to exercise are different decisions. Desk work places different demands on the underarms from repeatedly raising the arms or lifting heavy objects. After miraDry, clothing friction, a full feeling when lowering the arms and altered sensation may affect work.
| Timing | Botulinum toxin | miraDry |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment day | Manage injection marks and soreness | Assess sensation and pain; arrange transport home |
| Work the next day | Adjust for local discomfort | Adjust for swelling and arm use |
| Exercise and shaving | Follow the treating clinic's restart instructions | Resume according to skin irritation and arm movement |
Min Clinic advises against driving yourself home that day and describes restarting exercise and gentle shaving after at least 1 week, depending on recovery. Samsung Toxnfill Clinic also recommends cooling and avoiding vigorous arm exercise for several days. Before leaving, ask about cooling, showering and restarting antiperspirants. Min Clinic aftercare, Samsung Toxnfill precautions
Swelling, tenderness, lumps and reduced sensation can follow miraDry. Burns and nerve injury have also been reported rarely. Contact the treating clinic promptly for worsening redness or pain, blisters or hand weakness. Do not dismiss worsening symptoms as routine recovery. American Academy of Dermatology adverse-effect information
How much do underarm Botox and miraDry cost?
For botulinum toxin, check the product and units; for miraDry, check the one-session package and additional-session cost. These are individual clinic examples with VAT added to the listed prices.
| Clinic and listed package | Including VAT | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Vands Clinic Daechi, Korean underarm botulinum toxin 50U | KRW 53,900 | 50U sales unit |
| Vands Clinic Daechi, Korean underarm botulinum toxin 100U | KRW 108,900 | 100U sales unit |
| Samsung Toxnfill Clinic, miraDry 1 session | KRW 1,969,000 | Add its KakaoTalk channel and book through its website |
| Areumdaun Dermatology Clinic, miraDry Fresh underarms 1 session | KRW 2,200,000 | Clinic price list |
Prices checked October 24, 2026. The original amounts are KRW 49,000, 99,000, 1,790,000 and 2,000,000 respectively, all excluding VAT. Vands Clinic Daechi prices, Samsung Toxnfill event, Areumdaun Dermatology Clinic prices
Ask whether 50U or 100U covers both underarms and how many units your treatment would use in total. Also check the product, anesthesia, touch-ups and extra charges.
Samsung Toxnfill's one-session miraDry amount is lower among these listed examples, but has channel-addition and booking conditions. Annual injection cost depends on actual repeat frequency. For miraDry, include the cost of any additional session in a longer-term comparison.
What should I ask during a consultation?
- What is causing my sweat and odor, and which is the main issue?
- What area will be treated on each side, and what product and total units would be injected?
- When should miraDry be scheduled if my previous injections are still working?
- Are anesthesia, touch-ups and follow-up visits included?
- When would remaining sweat be assessed, and what would another miraDry session cost?
- When can I resume my work and exercise, and whom should I contact about swelling or altered sensation?
Mention a sudden increase in whole-body sweating or substantial night sweating before discussing procedures. A clinician should review medications and general health. Nonprocedural treatments such as antiperspirants are also options, so the initial decision need not be limited to these two procedures. American Academy of Dermatology diagnosis and treatment
How do seasonal sweat, repeated visits and odor affect the choice?
If you want less sweating for summer or an important period, discuss injection onset and likely duration. Allow time for the effect to develop rather than scheduling immediately before an important event.
If year-round underarm sweating is troublesome and repeated injections are inconvenient, compare miraDry's longer-term reduction with possible additional treatment and recovery.
If sweat and odor are both major concerns, include odor reduction in your treatment goals. miraDry's odor and hair effects may matter, but they are not a promise of eliminating every trace of odor.
If you use your arms heavily at work or cannot take time off, ask how early swelling and soreness would affect that work. Being able to follow recovery instructions matters as well as price.
Conclusion
Underarm botulinum toxin temporarily suppresses sweating, whereas miraDry reduces glands with the aim of longer-term improvement. Consider whether repeated injections are acceptable, whether you also want less odor and whether you can allow time to recover. Ask about treatment coverage on both sides, the total price and the plan if the effect is insufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does miraDry reduce sweat more than Botox?
Not in every comparison. In a within-person trial of 30 participants, botulinum toxin produced a greater reduction at 6 months, while results were similar at 1 year.
When should underarm Botox be repeated?
Return for assessment when sweating again interferes with daily life. The duration of the previous effect and the dose help determine timing; everyone does not need the same fixed interval.
Does sweating after miraDry mean it has recurred?
Remaining sweat alone does not establish recurrence. A clinician assesses the change from baseline, the remaining sweating area and recovery before deciding on further treatment.
Can one miraDry session be enough?
Some people are satisfied after one session, while others have another. Ask at the first consultation when another session would be considered and what it would cost.
Does Botox reduce underarm odor too?
Reduced odor has been reported alongside reduced sweat. If odor is the main concern, discuss its cause and the duration of odor improvement separately from sweat reduction.
Can I work the day after miraDry?
That depends on arm use and swelling or pain. If your work involves raising your arms or moving heavy objects, discuss time off and modified duties beforehand.
Can miraDry cause lumps or reduced sensation?
Swelling, firm lumps and sensory changes can occur. Contact the treating clinic promptly if redness or pain worsens, blisters develop or your hand becomes weak.
Does a 100-unit underarm Botox price cover both sides?
A 100U listing alone does not establish the bilateral dose. Ask for the total units, product and price including anesthesia and touch-ups.
Does miraDry treat sweaty hands and feet?
The miraDry treatment discussed here is for underarms. Hand, foot or whole-body sweating requires assessment of the body area and cause to choose appropriate treatment.
Sources and verification dates
- Direct comparison of botulinum toxin and microwave thermolysis2024 randomized within-person trial, 30 participants, 6-month and 1-year follow-up. PMID 38495540. Checked October 24, 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology hyperhidrosis treatmentdiagnosis, injection onset and duration, alternatives and adverse effects. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Official Korean miraDry informationmechanism and procedure. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Iji Dongan Clinic Gangnam Main Branch one-month casepublished August 5, 2026; previous treatment and patient-reported experience. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Min Clinic recovery guideOctober 22, 2026 column; clinic-specific driving, exercise, shaving and repeat-session guidance. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Vands Clinic Daechi prices, Samsung Toxnfill miraDry event, Areumdaun Dermatology Clinic prices: sales units, VAT and conditions. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Gangnam Unni underarm botulinum toxin, Gangnam Unni miraDry: public bodies of the first 20 cards per query. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Babitalk underarm botulinum toxin, Babitalk miraDry: first 24 cards per query; one botulinum toxin card had no body. Unrelated procedures and repeated follow-up posts by one person were excluded from effect comparisons. Checked October 24, 2026.
Editorial responsibility and relationships
Written by the DermaFocus Editorial Team; not medically reviewed. Only short review excerpts are quoted, without usernames or photographs. Clinic cases and reviews describe individual experiences; clinical material supports treatment-effect and safety figures. There are no advertising contracts or financial affiliations with the clinics or platforms mentioned.