One thing that most deodorant companies do is to tell you that their product makes you smell great and also attracts people around you. Well, the truth is, whether it is just a spray deo or body perfume or an anti-perspirant, you are applying something to your body every single day that is playing with your hormones and making you impotent. Not just impotence, deodorant (depending on its constituents) can cause breast cancer in women.
Here, we are listing some constituents of deodorants that can hamper production of some hormones and can lead to deadly diseases.
- Aluminium
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Triclosan
1. Aluminium
Aluminium is the metal used in most antiperspirant deodorants. (Remember, you can consume a tiny bit of aluminium if you cook or drink from aluminium containers.) The compounds of aluminium when applied on the skin block the sweat glands and prevent sweating from wherever places you apply. When your body gets heated for any reason (workout or sickness etc), it sweats so that it cools down. This is a natural phenomena that should not be stopped or interfered with.
As you continue to apply the aluminium compounds for a longer time on your skin, it can elevate the estrogen levels in breast tissue and can cause cancer. (By encouraging abnormal cell growth.) It can also cause kidney problems, growth of tumours in the body and reduce testosterone levels in men. As the testosterone levels drop, the desire for sex goes down leading to erectile dysfunction. Lower levels of testosterones have many effects on the body including losing muscle, ageing, fatigue, reduced concentration etc.
Reference – https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jms.2006.296.299
2. Bisphenol A (BPA)
Except for some roll ons, most deos and body sprays are being sold in aluminium containers. Aluminium containers contain a compound called Bisphenol A (BPA) that can disrupt the endocrine system. (Endocrine system consists of glands that produce hormones that regulate various functions of the body). When the endocrine system is disturbed, the hormone levels change including reduction in production of testosterone causing erectile dysfunction. When other glands such as pancreas, thyroid etc are affected, it can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure related problems, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism etc.
3. Parabens
Every home made soap boasts of one common thing, “No Parabens”. Not sure how many of you take that sentence seriously but that means a lot to your body. Parabens are chemicals used to preserve the product from getting damaged/decayed. Presence of parabens in soaps, deodorants we use on our skin can increase estrogen levels that can up the risk of breast cancer, reduce levels of testosterone in men and affect the sperm quality. As per a study, usage of parabens resulted in reduction of serum testosterone levels by up to 70% in lab rats.
4. Phthalates
Like long lasting deodorants or 48 hours of fragrance? They most likely contain Phthalates. These too disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system leading to increased risk of breast cancer, testosterone reduction, thyroid issues among several others.
5. Triclosan
Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent most often used in soaps, shampoos, body wash, deodorants etc. This too is an endocrine disruptor and found to interfere with thyroid functioning leading to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Improper functioning of the thyroid gland can alter body metabolism which can lead to obesity or loss of fat and muscle in the body depending on the type of damage that occurs. Triclosan can also reduce testosterone levels in the body by hampering the cholesterol biosynthesis of leydig cells.
Reference – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0041008X20303033?
Conclusion
So, what now? We are not telling you to just go out and stink and annoy people around you. Use chemical free, natural oils, perfumes instead of these chemical compounds to smell great and also to be in great health all the time so that you can have fun for longer. Just say no to chemical based deodorants, especially the anti-perspirant ones. Your skin is supposed to sweat and send water out to cool your body down when required. You cannot just block the pores with some antiperspirant deo/roll on or whatever to avoid sweating. If you sweat more than normal, shower is the best option whenever possible.
