You may have heard of several different types of detoxes, but have you ever heard of a deodorant detox? Sounds strange, but more and more people are doing a deodorant detox to reduce their cancer risks. Here’s what you need to know about it and if it is right for you.
Do Deodorants Cause Cancer?
Many have linked deodorants and antiperspirants to cancer because of the amount of aluminum in them. It has been said that the aluminum in these products might increase the risk of breast cancer. However, this is quite a controversial debate, and there is no hard evidence that makes it clear whether or not deodorant is directly related to causing cancer.
With this being said, deodorants and antiperspirants are full of chemicals that can negatively affect your health. Any product that goes on our skin can be easily absorbed into our blood stream. Antiperspirants are especially bad, since the purpose of them is to keep you from sweating. Our bodies need to sweat. We sweat to flush out toxins, so if we prevent our bodies from sweating, you can bet our body is having a hard time filtering out all of the toxins. Deodorant use can also lead to issues with the hormone and immune system.
No More Deodorant – How Is That Possible?
I know it may seem impossible to go without deodorant. No one wants to sweat or stink, and we have all had a whiff of how bad we can smell after a day of no deodorant. Many people have found that after the first initial days or weeks of not wearing deodorant, that they do not have as much stink or sweat.
To detox yourself from conventional deodorant use, just simply stop using it. You will experience several days of horrible odor. Simply wash your arm pits whenever you notice the smell. A splash of tea tree oil is a great way to kill odor and bacteria. After about a week, you can either experiment with natural deodorant brands or make your own deodorant. Many people may discover that they do not need deodorant in the first place, just a once a day cleaning.
So, are you brave enough to try the deodorant detox? If you do try it, it is best to start over the weekend when you don’t plan on going anywhere. Since you are detoxing, make sure to drink a lot of water, and even try dry brushing or massaging your armpits to help flush out toxins.
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Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Elvert Barnes
FAQs
The takeaway. No solid medical or scientific evidence supports the concept of armpit detoxing. It can cause irritation and negatively affect the natural bacteria balance on the skin. If a person wants to switch to a more natural deodorant, they can do so at any time, without needing any kind of “detox” first.
Is an armpit detox necessary? ›
YOUR TIME IS BETTER SPENT DOING ANYTHING ELSE INSTEAD OF PIT DETOXING. There's just no evidence that pit detoxing can reduce your stank or make any deodorant more effective. Nothing has proven that clay products or anything else besides sweat can physically pull toxins out of your skin.
How long does it take to fully detox your armpits? ›
Well, how long it takes for a natural deodorant to feel as though it is working differs from person to person. it can take up to 30-days for your body to learn to sweat naturally and regulate itself again. You should expect your armpits to smell a little pungent for the first couple of weeks.
How to draw toxins out of your armpits? ›
To do an underarm detox, use 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay (a natural, detoxifying clay) mixed with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, which has cleansing properties, and 1 teaspoon of water. Apply the paste to your underarms for around 10 minutes daily for a week or more until your underarm odor subsides.
Can you train your body to not need deodorant? ›
“If you stop using aluminum, salt-based antiperspirants, your skin will naturally shed the aluminum from the sweat glands over time,” he says. When one writer went on an armpit detox, she experienced increased odor during the first few weeks. By week four, that odor had subsided.
Is it good to detox from deodorant? ›
Although there's no evidence that armpit detoxes work, there's likely no harm in trying it — as long as you patch test any new ingredients to prevent irritation. Most armpit detoxes use a homemade mask of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. Some also include water to dilute the vinegar.
Can I just wash my armpits? ›
Futher suggests applying soap to each armpit for at least 30 seconds to ensure it's truly eliminating any odor-causing bacteria. For those with underarm hair, be sure to really work the product into the skin to ensure it's penetrating properly, as hair is particularly prone to trapping bacteria.
What happens when you stop using deodorant? ›
“If you stop wearing deodorant or antiperspirant, you can develop a stronger odor over time,” Doyle said. “When you stop using (such products) and sweat more, this creates a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal overgrowth, which can cause odor to become stronger.”
How can I speed up my deodorant detox? ›
Antiperspirants may prevent sweating, but they do so by clogging pores and blocking sweat glands with aluminum salts in the process2. A little exercise to break a sweat, and maybe a some time in a sauna, will help speed up the detoxification process as your body re-learns how to control bacteria on its own.
Do you smell when detoxing? ›
Body odor from alcohol detox is common. First, someone who is in withdrawal from alcohol will often experience profuse sweating. Sweating naturally leads to body odor, but the profuse sweating for days can produce a more potent odor.
“Lemons can temporarily decrease odor in the armpits, and the alpha-hydroxy acid in citric acid can kill odor-causing bacteria,” Dr. Geeta Yadav told Shape in an interview, but added that “antiperspirant and deodorant are a much better and safer way (than using lemons)” when it comes to diminishing body odor.
Does apple cider vinegar detox armpits? ›
ACV's antibacterial properties will prevent bacteria from growing on your skin and will neutralize any odor-causing bacteria, keeping you smelling clean and fresh. If you're doing an armpit detox or are naturally a smellier person, try using apple cider vinegar to get rid of body odor in your shower routine.
Why is there no deodorant in Korea? ›
Deodorant. Most Koreans lack the gene that gives sweat that classic BO scent, so deodorant is not very popular. It's hard to find here, and if you do find it, it won't be as good as what we use in America.
How long does it take to detox from aluminum deodorant? ›
It may take a few days or even a week before you notice any unwanted side effects of detoxing from antiperspirants. The smelliest part of your detox will likely last a week or two. This is when most people give up, but you can do this!
Is it necessary to clean armpit hair? ›
Armpit hair is a collecting site that helps bacteria grow and cause odors, but the hair itself does not cause odors. You can remove the hair in your armpit using a variety of options, but you can risk skin irritation or injuries like cuts—though you may experience less odor.
What happens when you don't clean your armpits? ›
The growth of bacteria is the highest in the skin folds like armpits. It will make your armpit smell a lot and lead to itching and inflammation. Cleaning your armpit with soap and water daily will kill the bacteria and prevent its growth. It will reduce the risk of skin problems and make your smell good.
Why is it important to clean your armpits? ›
That's where underarm care, from thorough cleansing and exfoliating to a refreshing deodorant, comes in: to not only to keep odor under control, but also contribute to your body's overall well-being.
What happens when you stop using aluminum deodorant? ›
Your body odor is probably going to smell different, and potentially stronger, than what you're used to. That's because your body is simultaneously purging its sweat glands and recalibrating the balance of microscopic organisms that live on your skin. It's establishing a new normal.
