Still rather new here....deodorant question.

Mecool

I'm curious about deodorant. Obviously, everyone has been told that certain deodorants and antiperspirants are no nos so I'm just wondering that everyone has switched to and which you like. I was always a Dove girl, but of course, the active ingredient is Aluminum so I want to be as proactive as I can be in making better choices. I'm currently trying the Toms but I have to say, I hate it. It smells awful and it's doing nothing for me. Any thoughts or ideas? I'm not opposed to ordering something online if the best choice is something I can't purchase in the store. Thanks in advance!

__asher__

There are a lot of "natural" deodorants out there. Do you live close to a WholeFoods or Trader Joe's? Often, they'll have options that don't smell bad. Too, you can order online with the advantage, like on Amazon, being that others have already rated them.

Yay for you for making better choices about what goes on your body

MelissaDallas

Studies have conclusively shown that antiperspirants are not a risk factor.

LisaAlissa

"Obviously, everyone has been told that certain deodorants and antiperspirants are no nos"

Nope. No one on my treatment team ever said anything to me that any deodorants/anti-perspirants are to be avoided. Who told you that?

I'd avoid anything while you have an unhealed surgical wound, but otherwise I've been with Melissa on this. Wear whatever deodorant/antiperspirant you like. Go back to Dove if you like it! (Although I should note that after treatment, hair didn't grow for a while & I didn't sweat on the treated side for a while. Kind of sorry when that side-effect ended. ;-)

Best wishes,

Alissa

MelissaDallas

And here is this site's official word:

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/no_eviden...

labelle

I was told to avoid applying deodorant/antiperspirants during RADS-so maybe that is what the OP is referring to.

Post BC I do prefer to use a deodorant with only natural ingredients. I use Tom's and I like it, so no help from me, I guess-although Tom's does come in a few different scents.

And no, it hasn't been proven that using deodorants full of chemicals causes BC, but for years it wasn't proven that smoking caused lung cancer or that cocaine was addictive, but then............. The tobacco industry even had studies showing smoking did not cause cancer! Since switching to natural products is pretty painless (and better for the environment) it is something a lot of us do or consider doing.

littleblueflowers

i find nothing works as well as patting baking soda on my under arms. It prevents all odor for me!

Mecool

You guys are amazing! Thank you so much for all of this info!!!!!!

SelenaWolf

No one on my oncology advised this and, every time I consult my oncologist about this issue, she says that there is no scientific evidence supporting it.

TB90

I agree that there is no evidence to suggest that deodorant of any type contributes to bc. But in my quest for natural products, I did try lots and many were awful. Then I found the Norwex crystal and I cannot believe how well it works. And lasts forever. Also since switching to Tom's or other natural toothpastes, I can no longer tolerate the sweetness of the main stream products. I just prefer some of these products now. But I no longer believe they prevent bc or a recurrence. Still, the less crap we put in and on our bodies, the better.

MelissaDallas

One thing I will say about antiperspirants - what is with all these ultramoisturizing creamy ones? Have any of you ever had dry scaly pits? I can't think of anyone I know who has, but I do know that those moisturizing ones block pores. I kept getting painful cysts in my armpits. When I stopped using sticks and went back to my favorite old Ban roll-on I stopped getting them.

TB90

I thought dry pits was our goal. Lol

MelissaDallas

Me too. I think the commercials (and concept) of moisturized pits is ridiculous.

Nancy2581

Good to know all of this. I did try Tom's and Schmidt's - hated both of them, got flustered and went back to Secret. Works well for me so I'm staying with it until my onc says otherwise. Nobody ever mentioned deodorant to me either except during radiation.

Nancy

labelle

My husband uses a crystal and has for years. I tried it but found it irritated my skin.

Scaly pits???? Only during RADS! Pit moisturizer???? Oh, the things I miss by not having TV!

Some people like corn starch, rather like baking soda I imagine.

hsant

labelle, my husband used to use the crystal, but it just didn't take care of business (if ya know what I mean), so he's back on regular deodorant.

I switched to natural deodorant right after I was diagnosed. honestly? I found that none of the ones from Whole Foods worked (Jasons, Dessert Essence, Tom's and one other,but can't remember the name). I would have to apply it five times a day. Seriously, I kept it in my purse, and would apply it through out the day. I recently discovered StinkBug Naturals. It's the only deodorant that's non GMO verified, and it works.

Hopeful82014

Scaly pits - now I've truly heard everything! I guess I'll have to turn on the TV once in a while to avoid missing out on these critical issues.

The only time I was told to avoid anything such as antiperspirant was post-surgery (SNB) and during radiation. Like one of the above posters, I don't sweat on that side now anyway, so it's a moot point. I do use Tom's on the other side and sometimes a combo of baking soda and cornstarch. (The cornstarch makes it silky.)

I'd definitely avoid anything with talc but that's just me.

ETA - oddly enough, the left (cancer) side was always the one that developed irritation to one product after another, to the point that virtually all antiperspirants created real problems. I really hope those sweat glands are gone for good!)

Spookiesmom

ROs nurse said I wouldn't sweat on that side. I don't. For some reason, not the other side either. Haven't used the stuff in over 3 years. I'm in Florida, gets hot and humid here. I check, nothing. No shaving pits either.

SelenaWolf

I do not sweat on the irradiated side and - since menopause - I don't sweat a lot anymore. Certainly, when I do, it doesn't seem to have the odor it once did. Unless it's a really, really, really hot day, I don't wear deodorant at all anymore.

__asher__

ROFL!!!! Don't you love how silky smooth my pits are? Why would I be all up in someone's armpits like that?

MelissaDallas

Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant: this antiperspirant deodorant delivers 48-hour odor and wetness protection plus NutriumMoisture for the ultimate care after every shave. Find your favorite fragrance now with the best of care from Dove.

I'm not making this up:) I still remember the commercials.

ChiSandy

I use Dove Clinical Strength unscented stick. No moisturizers. No problems. I only avoided antiperspirant during rads. Didn’t use deodorant either, because it doesn’t work well against strong eccrine sweat, which still stains your clothes even if it doesn’t stink. Until I stopped sweating (temporarily) on the bc side, I found cornstarch applied with a tube sock worked well.

Jackbirdie

Here is a link to EWG's skindeep website, sorted/filtered for deodorant and anti pers.

EWG is a non profit who maintains adatabase of over 60,000 personal care products. Aside from cancer risk, fragrance can also carry health risks and there are also endocrine disruptors to account for.

You can look up your products or browse through their site. Green/#1 is best. Further back in the pages you'll find the riskier ones, in the opinion of EWG.

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse.php?category=an...

__asher__

Great resource, Katy

Cayeu

I had radiation on the right side last Nov/Dec. I do sweat but the smell from that side is awful. I have been trying different natural deodorants but nothing helps that side. Is this usual? To get a very bad smell on just the one side

MelissaDallas

Use regular antiperspirant. The connection between antiperspirants and breast cancer has been debunked.

httIn media stories and on Internet postings some factors have been widely rumored to increase breast cancer risk. For example, right now, there is no evidence to back the claims that antiperspirants, underwire bras, and wearing a bra at night are causes of breast cancer. The claims are based on these concerns:

• Antiperspirant chemicals are absorbed through the skin, block the release of toxins when you sweat, and cause these toxins to build up in the breast.
• Underwire bras cause breast cancer by blocking the drainage of lymph fluid from the bottom of the breast so it can't get back into your body.

There is no scientific evidence to support either of these rumors.

Even the strongest antiperspirant doesn't block all perspiration in the armpit. Most cancer-causing substances are removed by the kidneys and released through urine or processed by the liver. Sweating isn't a significant way for your body to release toxins. And while there are concerns about chemicals, such as phthalates and parabens used for fragrance and preservation, from a whole list of personal care products (including antiperspirants) being absorbed by the body, these chemicals are unlikely to be culprits in causing breast cancer.

Underwire bras do not cause breast cancer. Only one scientific study has looked at the link between wearing a bra and breast cancer. There was no real difference in risk between women who wore a bra and women who didn't wear a bra. Being overweight does increase breast cancer risk though, and women who are overweight are more likely to have larger breasts and wear a bra. Women who don't wear bras are more likely to be at a healthy weight. This difference in weight is probably why this myth continues to circulate.

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/no_evidence

LauraZim

I was watching Shark Tank a few months ago and a couple of ladies came on who were making an all natural deodorant using activated charcoal. As I recall, the mom of one of the ladies had metastatic breast cancer. I decided to give it a shot, since I prefer to go all-natural but none of the natural ones had ever worked for me. This was really amazing. There is no odor at all, even after the day is over. Plus the smell is really nice. I'd say this works just as well as anything else on the market, regular or natural.

Here is the link:

http://www.piperwai.com/

It's a little pricey, but well worth it.

__asher__

Thanks for the suggestion, Laura. It's starting to get really hot here & the Tom's of Maine just isn't cutting it

samanthamala

I switched to the Arm and Hammer baking soda deodorant (after I was stinking up rooms with Tom's!) for radiation and it works really well! I don't think I'll need to go back to aluminum deodorant.

Deaconlady

My RO suggested the Thai crystal stick. I got it at While Foods but Amazon carries it too. So far I don't smell myself!

PoppyJQ

When I knew I was having lyph node surgery with an incision at my armpit I tried "Lafe's" deoderant.

I wanted something mild that I wouldnt have to rub on my armpit so the spray was great and I"ve continued to use it. Its a fairly natural product and it works for me.