Effects of Deodorants on Our Clothes and Us

Do you use deodorants? Of course yes! How often you use? daily? Are you aware of it's side effects? I guess, not most of us are aware of it. So here's some highlight on how it effects us and our favorite cloths.

People have used different methods to control body odor and underarm perspiration for hundreds of years. The first deodorant ever created debuted in 1888 and was extremely difficult to apply neatly. A few years later, another deodorant emerged onto the market containing aluminum chloride, an ingredient still used today. Most deodorants have negative effects on clothes and skin.courtesy:ehow.com



Stains: Deodorant often takes an average of 30 seconds to absorb adequately into your skin. If your deodorant comes into contact with your clothing before it's absorbed into your skin, it can bleed onto your shirts and tops and stain them. Applying too much deodorant makes it more likely to stain clothes. White stick deodorants can create rather stubborn stains that are difficult to remove. Some deodorants can even have a lightening effect on colored fabrics or a yellowing effect on white fabrics.

Skin Discomfort: Sweat is actually odorless, but the bacteria that eat it make it stink. Deodorants make your skin acidic so it can stamp out the foul-smelling bacteria. However, making the skin of your underarms acidic can come at a cost. Very strong deodorants can irritate your skin in a variety of ways: they can make your skin itchy, cause a rash to develop or cause your skin to become excessively dry and flaky.

Decreased Perspiration: The aluminum in deodorants blocks sweat ducts, which prevents emerging sweat from reaching the surface of your skin. Because the underarm sweat is not releasing from the body, toxins build up underneath the skin. This buildup causes toxic deposits to develop in both men and women. According to the National Cancer Institute, aluminum-based substances also cause estrogen buildup, which is a leading cause of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Risks: Countless studies have been done to determine if the aluminum causes breast cancer in women and men. Results have determined that it is not the aluminum that causes cancer. Toxic buildup and increased estrogen are what lead to a cancer diagnosis, specifically in women and men who shave their underarms frequently. According to the National Cancer Institute, women who began shaving their underarms before the age of 16 received an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer than women who began shaving their underarms at a later age.

Neurological Damage: Aluminum in the body is also linked to the development of neurological disorders. According to Education.com, aluminum in the brain may cause Alzheimer's disease. It is also linked to Lou Gehrig's disease, osteomalacia, anemia, glucose intolerance and Parkinson's disease. Although aluminum is linked to these ailments, it is not confirmed whether or not the aluminum that reaches the brain is absorbed through the use of antiperspirants.

Aluminum Alternatives

Due to the severity of the health concerns that aluminum poses, countless individuals seek alternatives to aluminum deodorants. Natural deodorants use herbs to minimize odors, but most alternatives do not include antiperspirants, so the body's natural sweating ability is not blocked. Popular odor removing ingredients include lavender, sage, mineral salt, ammonium and arrowroot powder.