Pros And Cons Of Antiperspirants

Everyday, around the world, antiperspirants are used to stop people from perspiring. What most people don’t know about this is that some antiperspirants use aluminum compounds as a way to temporarily plug the sweat ducts in your body, stopping the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface (National Cancer Institute). Though aluminum is a very abundant element, research shows that aluminum has no beneficial role to the body and should be avoided. Some theories state that the aluminum compounds found in antiperspirants can be the cause of breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, kidney disease, and dementia (Robertson). It is believed that if an antiperspirant containing aluminum is used while having a cut under your arm (possibly due to shaving), breast cancer …show more content…
(National Cancer Institute). Aluminum-free deodorants can be found in many stores but the deodorants that actually work are hard to find. There are only a few locations that sell actual working natural deodorant. Since aluminum is necessary in antiperspirants to temporarily stop perspiration, natural cosmetic brands have had to develop several alternates, which only prevent the odor and not perspiration. Some of these brands use alkaline metals to neutralize the area affected by the sweat (which is very acidic) and it prevents the growth of bacteria, which is what creates the odor. There are products that carry combinations of essential oils and plant extracts to prevent the enzymatic degradation of sweat. (Börlind). Enzymatic degradation is an enzyme that changes the structure of the neurotransmitter, therefore the neurotransmitter does not recognize what it’s receiving (Dr. C. George Boeree). A deodorant called, “Crystal Body Deodorant”, uses mineral salts to form a natural layer of protection. Mineral salts are found in the water we drink, food we eat, and in the air we breathe. Therefore, these are very natural to our body. This deodorant’s ingredients create a harsh environment for odor causing bacteria, therefore killing the bacteria and eliminating the odor that is produced during perspiration (Crystal