How Much Does miraDry Cost in San Francisco?

The average cost for miraDry treatments in San Francisco, California is:

• $5,000 for 2 treatments

• $3,000 for 1 treatment

However, these prices can vary based on quite a few factors, such as:

• Location

• Skill level of doctor

• Number of treatments needed

When it comes to miraDry costs, how do treatments in the Bay Area compare to the rest of the country?

I. Comparing miraDry Costs Across the United States

The average cost for miraDry treatments in the US ranges between $1,400 and $3,200. The median cost across the United States is $2,300.

The lowest cost for miraDry across the United States is in Arkansas, where a single treatment is approximately $1,300.

The priciest locations include Florida, California, and New York where the cost can rise to upwards of $3,000 per treatment.

Here are some more average costs of miraDry treatments in other major US cities:

There are plenty of facilities that provide the first treatment at cost and the second for free simply to guarantee that the results last. Other facilities may have higher quality professionals, board certified plastic surgeons with a great deal of experience specifically using miraDry, which brings with it a great deal of benefits in and of itself.

A high price point does not necessarily preclude high quality, but it is recommend that you spend up for a more qualified professional when it comes to miraDry treatments, as this will help you get the best results for your money.

II. What Affects the Cost of miraDry?

There are a few major factors that affect the cost of miraDry treatments. These include things like:  

• Expertise of the professional 

• Number of treatments you require

• Your location

Each of these factors plays a part in determining the final cost of your miraDry treatments. When you schedule a consultation with a professional in your area, you will be able to receive a more personalized and accurate quote for a treatment.

1. Skill and Experience of the Provider

At most clinics, especially the cheaper ones, the treatment is performed by a mid-level practitioner, usually a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant. If you visit select clinics, the treatment is instead performed by a doctor.

If you choose to have the procedure performed by a doctor, it will be more expensive because you are paying for the skill and experience of someone who not only went to medical school, but has experience with this treatment in particular.

2. Number of Treatments

When you undergo miraDry treatments, it is recommended that you receive a series of two treatments spaced approximately three months apart if you suffer from hyperhidrosis.

During an initial consultation, the exact number of treatments you` require will be discussed. For most patients, two treatments is sufficient. Approximately 3% of patients require a third treatment or choose to undergo a third treatment, which will increase the cost.

Some patients prefer to begin with a single treatment, and if the results are not quite up to perfection, they will come back for a second.

3. Geography/Location

As mentioned, your location will impact the cost. This is in large part due to the price of professional services being higher in areas where the cost of living is higher. Major cities are typically going to have higher costs for the treatment, but the quality will also be higher, due to competition.

III. Is the Cost of miraDry Covered by Insurance? 

Some insurance providers will cover a single elective surgery that is not considered necessary. miraDry is not a procedure covered by regular health insurance. While certain policies may cover it, a vast majority of policies do not.

IV. How Long Does miraDry Last?

After the procedure, you will notice results very quickly. miraDry destroys the glands that produce underarm sweat and odor from sweat. Our bodies do not have any known way of regenerating underarm sweat glands, so the results of miraDry treatments are permanent.

The treatment was approved by the FDA in 2011, and the results are still working for early patients. Still, since the treatment permanently stops the functionality of your sweat glands, you can enjoy permanent results, never having to come back for additional treatments, and never having to deal with unwanted sweat again.

V. Is miraDry Worth it?

This process is absolutely worth it. RealSelf patients who have undergone the treatment have given it a “ worth it” rating 90% of the time. There is almost no other cosmetic procedure that has such a high review.

VI. Why Do People Get miraDry Treatments?

The primary purpose of MiraDry treatments is to stop unwanted underarm sweat. Usually, this uncontrollable, excess sweat is a result of two major health conditions:

• Hyperhidrosis

• People bothered by sweat

Let’s explore each of these reasons a bit more.

1. Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that results in excessive sweating under the arms. For many people, this manifests in excessive underarm odor as a result. While seemingly minor, any condition that results in uncharacteristically excessive problems can interfere with daily life.

Hyperhidrosis is no exception. People with this condition suffer from the symptoms several times per week, if not several times per day and it can cause serious embarrassment and inconvenience.

Those who live with hyperhidrosis can typically only wear dark colors in order to prevent the excessive sweat stains from showing. Many people feel the need to always wear a jacket in order to cover up darkened armpit stains on their shirts. Others have to keep extra shirts around in the car or in the office to regularly change when the sweat has become unbearable.

2. “Sweat Bothered”

A medical condition is not the only reason why people consider this treatment. Some people who choose this treatment simply want to sweat less in their underarms. This becomes critically important for residents of states like California where water restrictions are soon to be legally implemented across the state and the cost of excessive laundering and dry cleaning might become untenable.

3. miraDry Outperforms the Competition

Out of all the hyperhidrosis treatments on the market, miraDry is the gold standard treatment for people suffering with excessive underarm sweat because it is the only treatment that is safe, effective and long lasting.

On average, miraDry has been shown to reduce sweating by 80%. The results are permanent, without any need to ever pay for additional treatments again. The best part of this treatment is that the process is non-invasive.

Other treatments simply don't work as well and they bring with them significant shortcomings.

a) Botox

Botox, for example, is a safe and effective treatment that can be used to treat excessive underarm sweat, but the results are temporary and at best they last for 6 months. This treatment is expensive, and having to undergo the treatment twice per year makes it far too expensive for most people.

b) Prescriptions Antiperspirants

There are prescription antiperspirants, but by design, antiperspirant are meant to stop your sweat glands from working. The downside is that they contain many unwanted compounds like microscopic metal shavings, which can irritate the skin. Moreover, they have very limited effectiveness compared to miraDry.

c) Oral Medicine

Oral medicines such as anticholinergics may help, but they require continued use. As is the case with most medicines, these can produce unpleasant side effects like dry mouth and muscle cramps. Substituting one inconvenience for dry mouth and muscle cramps is not necessarily in your best interest.

d) Topical Medicine

There is a topical medicine called Qbrexza which was was recently approved by the FDA for treating underarm hyperhidrosis. Qbrexza is less effective than miraDry, however. The results for this product indicate an average reduction in sweating a 50%, while miraDry still produces an average of 80%.

Worse yet, Qbrexza requires daily use similar to oral medications. Also, similar to oral medications, it can produce unpleasant side effects, with 20% of users reporting dry mouth and  17% reporting redness in the affected area. Another 14% complained of burning and stinging at the application site.

e) Surgery

Another option is called Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathetectomy (ETS) surgery. This is a major surgical procedure that is typically effective for stopping underarm sweating, but is associated with a very high rate of causing compensatory sweating elsewhere in the body such as the face. This surgery also brings with it all major risks associated with invasive surgeries and is generally seen as a last resort option.

VII. Finding miraDry Treatments in the San Francisco Bay Area

Looking and feeling like the best version of yourself should never be compromised. After miraDry treatments, you will be prepared to live life to the fullest. If you opt for this treatment, don't settle for anything less than the best miraDry Injector in San Francisco.

My name is Dr. Larry Fan, and I am the founder and owner of 77 Plastic Surgery. I was the first plastic surgeon in the world to perform a miraDry treatment. I was also one of the original developers of the technology. I continue to work with Miramar Labs to enhance the technology's safety and effectiveness and am currently recognized as a miraDry world expert.

At 77 Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, I personally perform all miraDry treatments at our clinic, so you can be certain to get the very best miraDry treatment possible.

If you are considering miraDry treatments for your excess underarm sweat, take our self evaluation in order to make sure it is best for you. Or, contact us today in order to schedule an appointment with me at our world class facility.