[Osmidrosis Surgery Survey of 300 Patients] 91.3% Reported 'Odor Anxiety Resolved', 79.0% Said 'I Should Have Had It Sooner' - A Thorough Comparison of Surgery Types, Costs, and Downtime
According to a survey of 300 patients who underwent osmidrosis surgery by Icy Clinic, 91.3% found relief from odor anxiety. The report comprehensively compares the insurance-covered Excision method and the non-invasive miraDry treatment.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 09:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 07:25 (334h 23m after Collected)
## [Conclusion] Points of this survey
**In conclusion, there are mainly two types of osmidrosis surgeries: the "Excision Method" and "miraDry". The Excision method is suitable for those who want to keep costs down through insurance coverage, while miraDry is ideal for those who prefer a short downtime without scarring. Insurance coverage applies to incision-based surgeries like the Excision method, costing around 40,000 to 50,000 yen with a 30% copay. The expected downtime is 2 to 3 weeks for the Excision method and 2 to 3 days for miraDry.**
- 91.3% of treatment experienced patients answered "Anxiety about odor was resolved."
- 79.0% regretted, saying "I should have had the surgery sooner."
- "Duration of effectiveness" was the most prioritized factor when choosing a treatment method, at 67.3%.
- The most common duration of suffering before treatment was "5 years or more" at 43.7%.
## Glossary
### **■ What is Osmidrosis (Armpit Odor)?**
Osmidrosis is a condition where sweat secreted from the apocrine sweat glands in the armpits is broken down by native skin bacteria, producing a distinct and strong odor. It has a strong genetic component and is a physical characteristic found in about 10-15% of Japanese people.
### **■ What is the Excision Method?**
The excision method is a surgical procedure where the armpit is incised by about 3-4 cm, and a doctor visually and directly removes the apocrine sweat glands. It is covered by insurance and is expected to have the highest effectiveness, with a sweat gland removal rate of over 90%.
### **■ What is miraDry?**
miraDry is a non-incisional treatment method that destroys sweat glands using heat by irradiating microwaves from above the skin. It is characterized by leaving no scars and having a short downtime, and it is provided as an out-of-pocket medical treatment.
## Comparison of Osmidrosis Treatments (Excision Method vs. miraDry)
| Comparison Item | Excision Method | miraDry |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Insurance Coverage | Applicable | Not Applicable (Out-of-pocket) |
| Estimated Cost | 40,000 - 50,000 yen (30% copay) | 300,000 - 400,000 yen |
| Effectiveness (Gland Removal) | Over 90% |
**In conclusion, there are mainly two types of osmidrosis surgeries: the "Excision Method" and "miraDry". The Excision method is suitable for those who want to keep costs down through insurance coverage, while miraDry is ideal for those who prefer a short downtime without scarring. Insurance coverage applies to incision-based surgeries like the Excision method, costing around 40,000 to 50,000 yen with a 30% copay. The expected downtime is 2 to 3 weeks for the Excision method and 2 to 3 days for miraDry.**
- 91.3% of treatment experienced patients answered "Anxiety about odor was resolved."
- 79.0% regretted, saying "I should have had the surgery sooner."
- "Duration of effectiveness" was the most prioritized factor when choosing a treatment method, at 67.3%.
- The most common duration of suffering before treatment was "5 years or more" at 43.7%.
## Glossary
### **■ What is Osmidrosis (Armpit Odor)?**
Osmidrosis is a condition where sweat secreted from the apocrine sweat glands in the armpits is broken down by native skin bacteria, producing a distinct and strong odor. It has a strong genetic component and is a physical characteristic found in about 10-15% of Japanese people.
### **■ What is the Excision Method?**
The excision method is a surgical procedure where the armpit is incised by about 3-4 cm, and a doctor visually and directly removes the apocrine sweat glands. It is covered by insurance and is expected to have the highest effectiveness, with a sweat gland removal rate of over 90%.
### **■ What is miraDry?**
miraDry is a non-incisional treatment method that destroys sweat glands using heat by irradiating microwaves from above the skin. It is characterized by leaving no scars and having a short downtime, and it is provided as an out-of-pocket medical treatment.
## Comparison of Osmidrosis Treatments (Excision Method vs. miraDry)
| Comparison Item | Excision Method | miraDry |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Insurance Coverage | Applicable | Not Applicable (Out-of-pocket) |
| Estimated Cost | 40,000 - 50,000 yen (30% copay) | 300,000 - 400,000 yen |
| Effectiveness (Gland Removal) | Over 90% |
FAQ
What types of surgery are available for treating body odor?
There are two main types: the excision method, which is highly effective and covered by insurance, and Miradry, a non-invasive outpatient procedure with a shorter downtime.
How much does body odor surgery cost?
The excision method, which is covered by insurance, typically costs around 40,000 to 50,000 yen with a 30% copay. The Miradry procedure, which is not covered by insurance, generally costs between 300,000 and 400,000 yen.
How long is the downtime after surgery?
The recovery period for the excision method is about 2 to 3 weeks, while for Miradry, it is about 2 to 3 days.