Excessive Underarm Sweating & Odor
Yaan Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) and odor come from overactive sweat and apocrine glands. At Yaan Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, they are treated with miraDry fresh, a non-surgical microwave treatment that reduces sweat and odor glands, usually in one one-hour session. Yaan reports No.1 official miraDry tip usage in Korea for 2022 to 2025.
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Excessive underarm sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis) is sweating beyond what the body needs to cool down, often with underarm odor (bromhidrosis) caused by bacteria breaking down sweat. At Yaan Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, underarm sweat and odor are treated with miraDry fresh, a non-surgical microwave treatment that permanently reduces sweat and odor glands, usually in a single one-hour session.
Yaan Clinic states it ranked No.1 in Korea for official miraDry tip usage for four consecutive years (2022–2025) and has performed over 2,000 miraDry fresh treatments (2019–2025).
What causes excessive underarm sweating and odor?
Primary hyperhidrosis is usually caused by overactive eccrine sweat glands and often runs in families. Odor mainly comes from apocrine glands in the armpit, whose secretions are broken down by skin bacteria.
Sweating can also be secondary to other medical issues such as thyroid problems, some medications or infections. If sweating is new, affects your whole body, or happens at night, see a physician first to rule out an underlying cause. A board-certified dermatologist can diagnose hyperhidrosis and discuss prescription options.
What are the treatment options for underarm sweating?
Options range from clinical-strength antiperspirants to Botox injections, microwave treatment such as miraDry, and surgery. Antiperspirants and Botox are temporary; miraDry and surgery aim for long-term reduction.
| Option | How it works | How long it lasts | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription antiperspirant | Aluminum salts block sweat ducts | Daily use needed | None; can irritate |
| Botox injections | Temporarily blocks nerve signals to sweat glands | Typically several months, then repeat | Minimal |
| miraDry fresh (at Yaan) | Microwave energy heats and destroys sweat and odor glands | Long-term; glands do not typically regenerate | Many go home and resume routine the same day |
| Surgery (gland removal) | Glands removed through incisions | Long-term | Longer recovery and scarring |
Yaan Clinic's treatment for this concern is miraDry fresh. Other options in the table are general information, not treatments Yaan lists for sweating.
How does miraDry fresh work?
miraDry fresh delivers precisely controlled microwave energy to the layer where sweat and odor glands sit, heating and destroying them while cooling protects the skin surface. Results begin at around two weeks, and gland numbers are reduced by about six months, according to Yaan Clinic.
Yaan uses the 2023 miraDry fresh system (5800 MHz). Treatment follows a set protocol:
- Consultation – your doctor assesses sweating and odor and confirms suitability.
- Marking and local anesthesia – the area is marked and numbed; AirNox inhaled sedation is available for comfort.
- miraDry fresh treatment – the handpiece delivers energy section by section; the session takes about one hour.
- LDM Healing Therapy – Yaan's aftercare to soothe the skin and reduce swelling.
Is one miraDry session enough?
Most people need only one session. Yaan Clinic states a second session is possible after a minimum of six months if you want further reduction.
miraDry does not cause compensatory sweating elsewhere, according to Yaan, because only a small proportion of the body's sweat glands are in the underarms. A secondary reduction in underarm hair may occur, but it is not the purpose of treatment.
Good to know: Temporary swelling, tenderness and numbness in the underarm are common after miraDry and usually settle over days to weeks. Avoid strenuous exercise for the first few days; your doctor will give specific instructions.
Does miraDry help underarm odor?
Yes. miraDry targets apocrine glands as well as eccrine sweat glands, so it is used for odor (bromhidrosis) as well as sweating. Yaan Clinic recommends consulting even if your odor is mild.
Why do international patients choose Yaan Clinic for miraDry?
Yaan Clinic introduced miraDry fresh in 2019 and reports the highest official tip usage in Korea from 2022 to 2025. It issues an official certificate verifying genuine treatment, and you can choose a male or female physician.
The clinic has held academic exchanges with doctors in Japan and Singapore and hosts miraDry treatment in a private lounge on a dedicated floor. Read about authenticity checks on our genuine products and safety page, or meet our doctors.
Who is a good candidate for miraDry?
Good candidates are healthy adults bothered by underarm sweat, sweat stains or odor who want a long-term, non-surgical solution. It also suits people tired of repeating Botox or using strong antiperspirants every day.
Your doctor will check your medical history before treatment. People with certain implanted electronic devices, or who are pregnant, are typically advised against microwave treatment; your doctor will confirm at consultation.
What about underarm fat or loose skin?
If your concern is an underarm bulge rather than sweat, different treatments apply. Yaan offers fat-dissolving injections, ONDA for fat and laxity, and Ulfit HIFU for loose skin, including the underarm area.
How much does miraDry cost, and how should I plan my trip?
miraDry is not listed on Yaan Clinic's published 2026 fee schedule, so you receive a quote after consultation, and international patients pay the same price as Korean patients. Guide prices for other treatments are on the treatment prices page, and the consultation fee (10,000 KRW, or 30,000 KRW with a director) is waived if you have a treatment. The cosmetic VAT refund for foreigners ended on 1 January 2026.
For international patients: miraDry fits a short trip because it is usually one session of about an hour and many patients go home the same day. Pack loose, sleeveless tops for comfort and plan light sightseeing for a few days. See downtime and flying home for travel tips.
Frequently asked questions
Is miraDry permanent?
miraDry destroys sweat and odor glands, and those glands do not typically regenerate, so results are long-term. Yaan Clinic states most patients need one session, with a second possible after at least six months if more reduction is wanted. Individual results vary.
Does miraDry cause sweating elsewhere on the body?
Yaan Clinic states miraDry does not cause compensatory sweating. The underarms contain only a small share of the body's sweat glands, so the body continues to cool itself normally through the rest of the skin.
Is miraDry painful?
The area is numbed with local anesthesia before treatment, and Yaan Clinic offers AirNox inhaled sedation for extra comfort. Afterwards, swelling, tenderness and numbness are common for a while. LDM Healing Therapy is used to soothe the area.
How long does miraDry take at Yaan Clinic?
The miraDry fresh treatment itself takes about one hour. Allow extra time for consultation, marking, anesthesia and LDM Healing Therapy. Many patients go home the same day and resume normal routines, avoiding strenuous exercise at first.
Can I have miraDry in summer or before a flight?
Yaan Clinic states miraDry can be done at any time of year. Flying is usually fine afterwards, but swelling and tenderness can make a long flight less comfortable, so allowing a few days in Seoul after treatment is sensible.
How much does miraDry cost in Seoul at Yaan Clinic?
miraDry is not listed on Yaan Clinic's published 2026 fee schedule, so a quote is given after consultation, and international patients pay the same price as Korean patients. Guide prices for other treatments are on the treatment prices page. The cosmetic VAT refund for foreign patients no longer applies from 1 January 2026.
Related pages
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About this information: Prepared from Yaan Clinic's published treatment information. Treatments at Yaan Clinic are performed by licensed physicians — meet our doctors. Last updated: October 2026. This page is general information, not a substitute for an in-person medical consultation; suitability, dosage and results are confirmed by your doctor.
