Survey on Underarm Odor Treatment: miraDry Suits Those Avoiding Scars, While Insurance-Covered Excision Suits Severe Cases and Cost-Conscious Patients

IC Clinic, operated by Medical Corporation Tekketukai, conducted a survey on attitudes toward treatment for axillary osmidrosis, commonly known as underarm odor. The survey concludes that miraDry is suitable for people who cannot take long periods off from work or school and want to avoid scars, while insurance-covered excision surgery is better suited for those who want to reduce costs or seek a more definitive effect for severe symptoms. Both treatments are recommended as effective options in the Japanese Dermatological Association’s guidelines, and the choice should depend on symptom severity and lifestyle. The online survey was conducted from April 20 to April 29, 2026, among 300 men and women in their 20s to 50s across Japan who have concerns about underarm odor or are considering treatment. Key findings show that 76.3% of respondents prioritized “not leaving scars” when choosing a treatment, with this tendency especially strong among women in their 20s and 30s. Meanwhile, 41.7% prioritized insurance coverage, while 33.0% prioritized shorter downtime, indicating a polarization in treatment criteria based on lifestyle. In terms of cost, 62.0% said they wanted treatment to cost no more than 200,000 yen, while the typical cost of miraDry is around 300,000 to 400,000 yen, making price a major barrier. Regarding downtime, 72.3% preferred recovery within one week, while the two-to-three-week rest period required after excision surgery was considered a hurdle by many. For junior and senior high school students, 68.3% of parents said treatment should wait until age 18 or later, citing concerns about treatment during physical development and possible recurrence. However, 27.7% said they would consider early treatment if symptoms affected school life, bullying, or interpersonal relationships. miraDry is a non-incisional treatment that uses microwave energy to destroy sweat glands, including eccrine and apocrine glands. It leaves no scars and requires around two to three days of downtime, but it is offered as a self-pay treatment. Excision surgery involves a 3- to 4-centimeter incision under the arm, through which a physician directly removes apocrine glands under visual confirmation. It is covered by insurance when axillary osmidrosis is diagnosed, and its sweat gland removal rate can exceed 90%, but it requires two to three weeks of downtime and leaves a scar. miraDry typically costs 300,000 to 400,000 yen, has a sweat gland removal rate of around 70% to 80%, and a recurrence rate of 10% to 20%. Excision surgery costs around 40,000 to 50,000 yen with 30% patient co-payment, and its recurrence rate is reported to be under 5%. Dr. Kota Takakuwa of IC Clinic commented that underarm odor treatment should not be chosen based on which method is generally better, but on which method fits the individual. Excision surgery is appropriate for severe cases requiring a reliable effect, while miraDry is suitable for those who want to avoid scars or minimize downtime. Before treatment, patients should confirm symptom severity, available recovery time, budget limits, and tolerance for scarring. If left untreated, underarm odor may affect relationships, increase psychological stress, and lead to skin problems caused by excessive use of deodorants or antiperspirants.