Personal hygiene is a daily routine that everyone should incorporate in their lives. Among the personal hygiene practices is the use of deodorants and antiperspirants.

Apart from preventing body odor and excess sweat, deodorants and antiperspirants have become a necessity for many people, especially in this era where individuals are conscious of their appearance and smell.

However, there has been a concern about the potential health risks associated with using deodorants and antiperspirants. For instance, there are claims that long-term use of these products may lead to serious health problems.

In this article, we will explore these possible health risks and whether they hold any merit.

How Do Deodorants and Antiperspirants Work?

Deodorants and antiperspirants are personal hygiene products that prevent or reduce body odor and sweat. They work differently:.

Deodorants: These products work by neutralizing or eliminating bacteria that cause body odor. They usually contain antimicrobial agents like triclosan, ethyl alcohol, or aluminium-based compounds, which kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria responsible for body odor.
Antiperspirants: As the name suggests, these products prevent perspiration or sweating. Antiperspirants work by blocking the sweat ducts or reducing the amount of sweat produced. The active ingredient in antiperspirants is usually aluminium chloride or aluminium zirconium, which form a gel-like plug that blocks the sweat ducts, thus reducing the amount of sweat that reaches the skin surface.

Claims of Health Risks Associated with Deodorants and Antiperspirants

There are claims that the long-term use of deodorants and antiperspirants may pose health risks. Some of these claims are:.

1. Breast Cancer

One of the concerns is that the use of antiperspirants may increase the risk of breast cancer. This claim is premised on the fact that antiperspirants contain aluminium, which is absorbed into the skin and accumulates in breast tissue.

The argument is that the accumulation of aluminium may cause DNA damage and changes in breast cells that may lead to cancer.

However, there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim. The American Cancer Society states that there is no clear or direct link between breast cancer and the use of deodorants and antiperspirants.

The National Cancer Institute also refutes this claim, stating that there is no strong evidence to support the assertion that antiperspirants increase the risk of breast cancer.

2. Alzheimer’s Disease

Another health concern associated with the use of deodorants and antiperspirants is the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The claim is that the aluminium in antiperspirants may accumulate in the brain and cause damage that leads to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

The Alzheimer’s Society notes that while there is a link between aluminium exposure and Alzheimer’s disease, this is mainly linked to inhaling aluminium dust or particles and not absorption through the skin. Moreover, studies have not provided evidence that the use of antiperspirants increases aluminium levels in the brain or contributes to Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Kidney Problems

There are also claims that the accumulation of aluminium in the body due to the use of antiperspirants may lead to kidney problems.

This is based on the fact that the kidneys are responsible for eliminating waste products from the body, including aluminium.

However, while aluminium can accumulate in the body, the kidneys are efficient in excreting it. Even in cases where people are exposed to high levels of aluminium, such as industrial workers, the kidneys are still able to eliminate it.

Therefore, it is unlikely that the use of antiperspirants, which contain low levels of aluminium, may lead to kidney problems.

Conclusion

Deodorants and antiperspirants are essential personal hygiene products that help prevent body odor and excess sweat.

While there have been concerns about the potential health risks associated with the long-term use of these products, there is no conclusive evidence to support them.

Therefore, individuals can continue using deodorants and antiperspirants without worrying about health risks.

However, it is advisable to follow the instructions on how to use these products, avoid applying them on broken skin, and discontinue use if there is any skin irritation or discomfort.