For most Americans, putting on deodorant in the morning is a habit. It is something that most of us do on a daily basis. As harmless as it may seem, there are chemicals present in deodorant — specifically antiperspirants — that can cause some major diseases. It is important to understand the effects of the chemicals that we are in contact with on a daily basis.
Antiperspirant deodorant is mainly composed of aluminum-based compounds. The aluminum compounds found in deodorant are meant to temporarily clog the sweat ducts in the underarms in order to prevent the sweat from entering the surface of the skin. Past studies suggest that these aluminum compounds may actually be absorbed by the skin and cause the body to respond as if it were estrogen. The aluminum-based compounds can cause an estrogen-like hormonal response in the body, because the compounds are being absorbed into the skin. Additionally, aluminum compounds can alter DNA replication by increasing the amount of errors during the process itself. Because of this risk, it is important to be aware of the fact that the aluminum-based compounds that cause an estrogen response when absorbed into the body may contribute to the development of breast cancer.
In addition to the aluminum-based compounds, another preservative that is found in deodorants is paraben. Parabens have also been shown to cause an estrogen-like response in the body’s cells. Similar to aluminum-based compounds, parabens can contribute to the development of breast cancer because of the hormonal response they cause. In 2004, a study was done to show the effect of parabens on the human body. Results showed that 18 out of 20 samples of tissue from patients with breast cancer contained parabens. Although there seems to be some sort of linkage between parabens and breast cancer from this study, it is incorrect to gather that parabens are a cause of breast cancer. Parabens are sometimes found in antiperspirant deodorants, however the FDA announced that most major brands of deodorants in the country do not currently contain parabens.
In order to explore the relationship between breast cancer and underarm deodorant, studies have been conducted over the years. According to a study done in 2002, there was no concrete evidence that antiperspirant deodorant increased breast cancer risks in women. In a study done in 2003, it was found that the “age” of breast cancer was detected earlier in women who used antiperspirant deodorant and shaved their underarms frequently. Women who used antiperspirant deodorant earlier than the age of 16 were diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier age than those who began using antiperspirant deodorants earlier on. In another study, the fact that antiperspirant deodorant is put on under the arm means that it is put on in close proximity to the breast tissue, and it is for this reason that breast cancer may develop. The studies done over the years exploring the relationship between antiperspirant deodorant and breast cancer are not 100% valid, therefore additional research may still be needed in order to acquire factual evidence.
Besides for the dangers that aluminum in antiperspirant deodorants pose, many people have used spray deodorants as inhalants. Inhalants can be very dangerous and can cause many health issues. Some of the issues include a disruption of heart rhythm leading to cardiac arrest and a decrease in oxygen levels which can cause suffocation.
It is important to be aware of how we are affecting our bodies on a daily basis by the products that we use. The products contained in antiperspirant deodorant can potentially lead to disease, however there is no concrete evidence for this. The relationship between aluminum and parabens with breast cancer is evident, however there were conflicting studies that did not claim that these compounds were the direct cause of breast cancer. It is for this reason that it is probably okay to use deodorant daily, while keeping in mind not to overuse it just to be safe.