Is Your Deodorant Safe?

Is your deodorant cancer provoking? A dermatology resident from @Affiliated Dermatology, Doctor Andrew Newman shares his tips on what to look for in a deodorant. Some believe that aluminum found in antiperspirant deodorants can cause breast cancer. He found that there was no evidence to support that deodorants with aluminum actually cause breast cancer nor any other cancers.

"Whether traditional antiperspirant deodorants cause cancer is a widespread concern for the public. I was initially a believer in the cancer-provoking potential of aluminum-based deodorants. However, my opinion of this matter evolved once researching the topic more thoroughly. By the end of my research, I became skeptical.   When I ventured to find out whether this idea was truth or bologna, I was overwhelmed with articles that stated elevated aluminum levels are often found in various conditions ranging from chronic conditions like dementia to breast cancer. With this finding plus the fact that aluminum compounds are in antiperspirants which are applied to the underarm skin adjacent to the breasts, it’s not at all surprising for someone to point the blame on the aluminum-based underarm deodorants. I had more questions than answers. One thing that was clear was that there was no evidence to support the I claim that traditional deodorants with aluminum actually CAUSE breast cancer -nor any other cancers.  

In the hope to avoid a potentially cancer-provoking deodorant, many people have tried alternative products that contain “natural” ingredients. These include products with shea butter, eucalyptus, etc. I’ve personally tried products with shea butter, and I loved my experience…for 4 weeks. After four weeks I experienced an uncomfortable rash in my underarms so I quit applying the shea butter. Not for me! However, other people I know rave about it. Do alternative/natural deodorant products work? For some people, they do. Will they lessen the risk of developing breast cancer? Anyone’s guess is a good guess. And how do we know these alternative underarm deodorant products, like shea butter,are not cancer-provoking? We have no studies that try to answer this question. I personally would rather take my chance with the aluminum deodorant which has failed to demonstrate any increased cancer risk. If a study showed no increased risk of cancer with the use of these alternative/natural products, then I would consider using them. Others may feel different, and that’s okay. After all, the right deodorant is the deodorant that works and makes sense  for YOU."

Something that works for someone else, might not work for you. Do what’s best for you!