Some people attribute the aluminum content in deodorants to serious health conditions, such as dementia and cancer.
While aluminum isn’t commonly found in deodorants, it’s a key ingredient in antiperspirants. For the record, deodorants work to make the armpits less smelly, while antiperspirants reduce the amount of sweat.
Interesting fact, actually sweat does not smell when it comes out of the pores. However, when bacteria on your skin interact with sweat, depending on your body’s chemistry, the combination of bacteria and sweat can give off an unpleasant odor. Well, this is where aluminum comes into play.
The aluminum compounds in antiperspirants leach into the pores and essentially block sweat from reaching the surface of the skin. This prevents contact between sweat and microbes, thereby preventing underarm odor. On the other hand, deodorants contain ingredients that help mix sweat and bacteria from bad odors.
Is antiperspirant containing aluminum safe?
Whatever news you hear, studies have found no link between aluminum and serious health problems.
in fact, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of aluminum compounds in over-the-counter antiperspirants.
Below we will discuss some of the health problems that are widely discussed related to the aluminum content in deodorants and antiperspirants.
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1. Breast cancer
antiperspirant illustration (freepik.com/gpointstudio)
There are rumors that the aluminum in antiperspirants is linked to breast cancer. However, this was refuted by National Cancer Institute.
There is concern that because the aluminum compounds in antiperspirants essentially clog skin pores, they may prevent the body from removing cancer-causing toxins through sweat. However, the fact is that the skin is not the main agent of detoxification. The kidneys and liver get rid of the toxin through urine and feces.
There is also concern that aluminum compounds may be absorbed into the skin and mimic estrogen, a hormone that has been shown to be linked to the development of breast cancer.
Deep study Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 2013 showed that although aluminum has been linked to cancer, we are exposed to it everywhere, including food, antacids, toothpaste, and drinking water.
A meta-analysis in the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology 2014 concluded that there is no clear link between aluminum compounds and cancer. Even if the armpit is right next to the breast tissue, the aluminum absorbed through the antiperspirant is not enough to cause health problems.
2. Kidney disease
There are also rumors that antiperspirants are linked to kidney disease.
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Indeed, too much aluminum in the body can be dangerous. However, according National Kidney Foundation, it is impossible for the skin to absorb aluminum in amounts that could damage the kidneys. If you have healthy kidneys, you don’t need to worry.
However, if your kidney function is low, talk to your doctor before using antiperspirants that contain aluminum. That’s why the FDA issued a warning to people with kidney disease to stay away from products that contain aluminum.
3. Bone disease
illustration of using deodorant (unsplash.com/Ana Essentiels)
Aluminum in antiperspirants has not been linked to bone disease. However, for people who have acute kidney disease and need hemodialysis, a buildup of aluminum in the blood is a real risk.
If the toxins cannot be filtered out quickly enough, patients may experience a number of side effects, including a buildup of aluminum in the blood and the development of a bone disease, known as osteomalacia, which is a weakening of the bones.
4. Memory impairment
According to Alzheimer’s AssociationIn the 1960s, rumors arose linking aluminum in all its forms to dementia. People pointed fingers at the pans, pots, beer cans and antiperspirants.
Some past studies may have found a link, but this has been discredited or denied. Until now, experts agreed that there was no link between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
In fact, deep study Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2014 called the initial suspicion linking aluminum to Alzheimer’s disease a “fringe theory” (fringe theory).
Also Read: 5 Benefits of Alum for Underarms, Effective as a Substitute for Chemical Deodorants
