Why detox your armpits at all? Why not just keep using regular deodorant and avoid the whole problem? Glad you asked…
Conventional deodorants and antiperspirants contain a variety of chemicals and additives. It takes something unnatural to block the body’s natural ability to sweat, and the chemical list in some deodorants is impressive:
Aluminum– Some evidence links aluminum to cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease, and no one wants that.
Phthalates– Endocrine disruptors often found in plastic that can cause hormone imbalance and even infertility (especially in men)
Propylene glycol– Common name: antifreeze. It is a hotly debated additive in personal care products, but it has been reported that it carries a moderate risk of immunotoxicity and allergies
Formaldehyde - A known carcinogen… I guess it kills the germs, though
Parabens- Another hormone disruptor, parabens have been found in biopsied tissue with breast cancer. This one is supposed to be banned, but even some pharmaceuticals now have it in them 😱
Antibacterial Substances- We have talked about these before, but they are endocrine disruptors and can negatively affect the immune system. Another banned substance that is allowed in personal care products.
Why is this a big deal? Ever gotten sick and had a lump in your neck or armpit? That is a lymph node, and they are a major part of your immune system. Putting endocrine disruption chemicals directly on top of them is a great way to screw up your hormones and suppress immune function.
The skin is the body’s largest organ, and what touches our skin can easily enter our bloodstream. With skyrocketing rates of breast cancer, it would seem prudent to avoid these chemicals.
A great advantage to doing an armpit detox, besides helping speed up the natural deodorant adjustment period, is that it helps pull some of these chemicals out of the skin and tissue of the armpits. This can be especially helpful after years of conventional deodorant use.
What results can you expect from an armpit detox?
- less odor, even without wearing any deodorant afterward
- able to switch to a natural deodorant without getting a rash
- less sweating
Everyone who has tried it said they would recommend it to a friend!!!
Ingredients
- 1 TBSP bentonite clay
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 tsp water
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients in a glass bowl (do not use metal!) with a wooden or non-metal spoon until a paste-like consistency.
- Spread in an even layer over the armpits and allow to sit for 5-20 minutes. I suggest starting slowly and working up to a longer period of time once you see how your body adjusts. If it hurts at all, remove it immediately.
- This may cause some redness as it increases blood flow to the area, but it will go away quickly.
- Wash off in the shower or with a warm, wet washcloth.
- Repeat daily or as needed until the underarm odor goes away and the natural deodorant is non-irritating
Additional Armpit Tricks to Try
If you are still struggling with an odour or have itching or lumps in your armpits, consider dry brushing, which is said to help improve lymph circulation. Also, make sure to drink a lot of water any time you stimulate lymph flow (dry brushing, massage, detox, etc) to help flush the body and avoid getting dehydrated.
YES, this works for men too. To make the switch from your typical deodorant, try using the Aromabright toothpaste as your deodorant while you transition. Yes, this may sound silly, but it goes on dry and helps keep odor at bay. Plus, a bonus when travelling as you only need the toothpaste to bush your teeth and a deodorant :) Most have found they can avoid any discomfort such as a rash when using this first when they are switching from a typical box store deodorant.
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