Like the name suggests, the Brella is a patch.

Its administered in a doctors office, available by prescription only, and it just got FDA approval today.

Brella is expected to begin rolling out at dermatologists and plastic surgeons offices later this summer.

Close up of a woman’s armpit

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How does the Brella SweatControl Patch work?

That principle is a straightforward scientific reaction: Sodium reacts with water to produce heat.

Now heres the innovative part:Sweatis about 98 percent water.

The Brella SweatControl Patch. Courtesy of Candesant Biomedical

The Brella SweatControl Patch. Courtesy of Candesant Biomedical

Many energy devices deposit microthermal energy into the skin to affect a change.

Except, instead of being plugged in, the patch is powered by your own body.

The mechanism is quite clever, saysRobert Anolik, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Its a completely novel method of sweat reduction compared to other modalities.

Two of the most popular, he says, include Botox injections and miraDry (a thermal-energy gadget).

The patch could theoretically avoid those downsides, says Dr. Anolik.

It is exciting to have this novel tool.

The Brella SweatControl Patch.

Courtesy of Candesant Biomedical

Who is the Brella SweatControl Patch best for?

The patch could be a real game-changer for hyperhidrosis patients.

The condition can affect every aspect of someones life, said Dr. Gohara.

They wont wear light-colored or sleeveless clothes, they dont want to be intimate.

Overall, he adds, Im fairly impressed.

I wonder if longer-term exposure beyond three minutes could be tolerated and if it could lead to greater effect.

That all said, this is still a small study and the endpoint is only six weeks.

More is needed to better understand it, but it is exciting to have this novel tool.

Read more about hyperhidrosis, and sweat in general:

Now watch a video about a sweat-proof beauty routine: