Underarm Microwaving, Explained

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Miramar Labs got the distinct honor last month of being the first company to release an FDA-approved procedure for microwaving off underarm hair. The system, called "MiraDry" says it can permanently reduce both underarm hair and underarm sweat, and the process works with any type of hair.

The MiraDry website cautions that the procedure is for people ages 18 and up. The in-office treatment involves a handheld device that emits microwaves that essentially zap off hair follicles and sweat glands, and the whole thing takes about 40 minutes.

Mona A. Gohara, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Yale, explained on Elle that the process is both safe and effective. "Over 40,000 procedures to eliminate underarm sweat have been done with good outcome," she writes. "There's some swelling and pain following treatment, but discomfort is expected to subside within a few days. It all doesn't sound too bad, really, until you Google pictures of the procedure.