Hazards of Using Deodorants and Antiperspirants
For many of us, the use of deodorants is almost second-nature. Unlike body lotions, or perfumes which we may neglect from time to time, deodorants are almost always a must in our daily routine.
And this is with good reason, because we strive to ensure that any distasteful body odour or underarm sweating is kept well at bay.
The terms ‘antiperspirant’ and ‘deodorant’ are often used interchangeably but they refer to different products.
Deodorants use ingredients such as alcohol and antimicrobials (including parabens) to kill bacteria and include fragrance to mask bad smells. They do not control the flow of sweat.
Antiperspirants control sweat and body odour by preventing sweat reaching the skin surface and by reducing the bacteria that causes body odour via antimicrobial ingredients.
Antiperspirants frequently use an aluminum-based compound to block sweat glands temporarily.
Both antiperspirants and deodorants often contain fragrances to help mask the smell of body odour.
And this is with good reason, because we strive to ensure that any distasteful body odour or underarm sweating is kept well at bay.
The terms ‘antiperspirant’ and ‘deodorant’ are often used interchangeably but they refer to different products.
Deodorants use ingredients such as alcohol and antimicrobials (including parabens) to kill bacteria and include fragrance to mask bad smells. They do not control the flow of sweat.
Antiperspirants control sweat and body odour by preventing sweat reaching the skin surface and by reducing the bacteria that causes body odour via antimicrobial ingredients.
Antiperspirants frequently use an aluminum-based compound to block sweat glands temporarily.
Both antiperspirants and deodorants often contain fragrances to help mask the smell of body odour.
But why do our armpits sweat in the first place, and where does the odor come from?
We have two different types of sweat glands: eccrine glands and apocrine glands.
The eccrine glands located on most of our body’s surfaces release perspiration when body temperature rises in order to cool down the body.
Apocrine glands on the other hand secrete perspiration composed of water, protein, fatty acids among other substances in response to hormones, stress, anxiety etc. Many of these glands are located on our armpits.
Our skin is the body’s largest organ and performs many functions, including aiding our other organs in eliminating toxic waste products.
Sweating occurs as one of the body’s main ways of detoxifying. Under our arms are lymph nodes, which are essential to the immune system. They attempt to flush out toxins via sweat.
This sweat is virtually odorless, but bacteria present on the skin’s surface break down the protein and fat which produces the smell.
The odors of underarm sweat are generally mildly unpleasant, but not very noticeable. It only becomes a problem in situations where:
- the colon, liver and kidneys have become overburdened and ‘choked up’ with a toxic overload thus forcing toxins to be forced out through the skin
-we consume large amounts of acidic foods such as meat and dairy, refined foods and trans fats. These generate toxins which the body will need to expel.
Wearing tightly-fitted synthetic garments make these problems even worse.
By failing to consider the reasons behind the essential natural functions of the body, and by suppressing these functions using antiperspirants, we can be doing ourselves serious harm.
We have two different types of sweat glands: eccrine glands and apocrine glands.
The eccrine glands located on most of our body’s surfaces release perspiration when body temperature rises in order to cool down the body.
Apocrine glands on the other hand secrete perspiration composed of water, protein, fatty acids among other substances in response to hormones, stress, anxiety etc. Many of these glands are located on our armpits.
Our skin is the body’s largest organ and performs many functions, including aiding our other organs in eliminating toxic waste products.
Sweating occurs as one of the body’s main ways of detoxifying. Under our arms are lymph nodes, which are essential to the immune system. They attempt to flush out toxins via sweat.
This sweat is virtually odorless, but bacteria present on the skin’s surface break down the protein and fat which produces the smell.
The odors of underarm sweat are generally mildly unpleasant, but not very noticeable. It only becomes a problem in situations where:
- the colon, liver and kidneys have become overburdened and ‘choked up’ with a toxic overload thus forcing toxins to be forced out through the skin
-we consume large amounts of acidic foods such as meat and dairy, refined foods and trans fats. These generate toxins which the body will need to expel.
Wearing tightly-fitted synthetic garments make these problems even worse.
By failing to consider the reasons behind the essential natural functions of the body, and by suppressing these functions using antiperspirants, we can be doing ourselves serious harm.
Antiperspirants and deodorants contain chemicals (namely aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances) that have been repeatedly linked to serious diseases.
Women are at more risk, because they generally shave the armpits, and the tiny cuts, nicks and raw skin allows these harmful chemicals to penetrate more easily into the skin.
Harmful effects of specific ingredients:
Aluminum
Aluminum has been proven to be a neurotoxin a long time ago. Since then, several studies have shown a link between its use and numerous neurological conditions, most notable Alzheimer’s disease.
One study showed that the use of aluminum containing antiperspirants were responsible for a 60% increased risk of Alzheimers!
With respect to breast cancer, P Darbre Ph D, states that aluminum is “capable of causing both DNA alterations and epigenetic effects…..consistent with a potential role in breast cancer”. In addition, she states that aluminum “can interfere with the function of oestrogen receptors of MCF7 human breast cells”. Both of these mechanisms of action are proven pathways in the formation of cancer cells.
Parabens:
These are estrogen-mimicking compounds. It has been shown that the amount of estrogens we are exposed to in our lifetime is directly proportional to our risk of developing breast cancer.
In one study conducted by Darbre in which 20 breast cancer tumours were tested, 18 were positive for parabens!
The area of the breast referred to as the upper outer quadrant (UOQ) that is closest to the underarm region (and therefore would be the first area to absorb toxins) has been showing an increasing trend in the percentage of tumours of the breast in line with the increased use of deodorants and antiperspirants: In 1936, 21% of tumours were found in the UOQ; during 1947-1967 this increased to 43-48% and in 1994, the percentage of breast tumours in the UOQ had risen further to 60.7%
Women are at more risk, because they generally shave the armpits, and the tiny cuts, nicks and raw skin allows these harmful chemicals to penetrate more easily into the skin.
Harmful effects of specific ingredients:
Aluminum
Aluminum has been proven to be a neurotoxin a long time ago. Since then, several studies have shown a link between its use and numerous neurological conditions, most notable Alzheimer’s disease.
One study showed that the use of aluminum containing antiperspirants were responsible for a 60% increased risk of Alzheimers!
With respect to breast cancer, P Darbre Ph D, states that aluminum is “capable of causing both DNA alterations and epigenetic effects…..consistent with a potential role in breast cancer”. In addition, she states that aluminum “can interfere with the function of oestrogen receptors of MCF7 human breast cells”. Both of these mechanisms of action are proven pathways in the formation of cancer cells.
Parabens:
These are estrogen-mimicking compounds. It has been shown that the amount of estrogens we are exposed to in our lifetime is directly proportional to our risk of developing breast cancer.
In one study conducted by Darbre in which 20 breast cancer tumours were tested, 18 were positive for parabens!
The area of the breast referred to as the upper outer quadrant (UOQ) that is closest to the underarm region (and therefore would be the first area to absorb toxins) has been showing an increasing trend in the percentage of tumours of the breast in line with the increased use of deodorants and antiperspirants: In 1936, 21% of tumours were found in the UOQ; during 1947-1967 this increased to 43-48% and in 1994, the percentage of breast tumours in the UOQ had risen further to 60.7%
