Do you watch Asin on screen telling you to switch to an antiperspirant, which will prevent you from sweating? Do you envy those stars on screen as they flaunt their sweat-free armpits thanks to those antiperspirants?
From deodorants and perfumes that minimize the smell of sweat, now we have antiperspirants that promise no sweat at all.
Sounds good doesn’t it? No sweat, no smell, no wet underarms, no sticking stinking clothes.
But if you just stop for a moment and give this a read you might think differently. You might switch back to a deodorant or maybe even no deodorant at all!
What should I be aware of?
- Blocking of pores - Sweating is a natural process wherein the body cools off and gets rid of toxins from within the body. By blocking the pores and not allowing the toxins to be released you could cause your body harm.
- Breast and prostate cancer - Reports have suggested that antiperspirants contain harmful substances, which can be absorbed through the skin into the body through nicks caused by shaving. Some scientists have also deduced that certain ingredients in underarm antiperspirants or deodorants may be related to breast cancer because they are applied frequently to the area next to the breast. There are also indications that the blocking of pores may lead to prostate cancer. However there is no concrete evidence or research that can prove these facts.
Harmful ingredients:
- Aluminum compounds causing ailments - The aluminum compounds and other chemicals in the antiperspirant can get absorbed into the lymphatic system (network in the body to carry fluids) of those who shave their armpits. Some tests suggest that this in turn may lead to Alzheimer’s and/or other hormonal dysfunctions.
- Triclosan - Triclosan is a controversial antibacterial agent. It is used in antiperspirants and deodorants because the reason people smell bad is due to the
bacteria present in the sweat. Triclosan has been shown to be a hormone disruptor.
Why is sweating good
Sweating cools down the body within minutes. So the more you sweat the cooler your body temperature remains. It acts as a toxic flush and cleanses our pores and skin.
There are also studies that show that sweating calms the nerves and relaxes the mind and body.
All the above in turn reduce the aging process of our face and body. So sweating actually helps you look young!
What causes body odor?
Sweat is a way of the body to release body wastes. So the more toxins you take in, the more odor your sweat releases.
People can pick up toxins from the air, food, household and beauty products. When there are imbalances in the metabolism, strong odors will result.
The most important thing related to body odor is your diet. Foods that can cause body odor are red meat, highly processed and refined foods, eggs, and strong smelling foods such as onions, garlic and spices. Thus it is essential to detoxify your body to prevent body odor. Once the toxic waste is cleansed excessive body odor can be curbed.
But I still perspire!
Here are some simple tips to manage body sweat and odor in a healthy way:
Natural substitutes for antiperspirants
Depending on your preference you can use any of the given options. Messing with the natural processes of the body can cause a lot of harm so do think twice before you use antiperspirants. Switch to a mild deodorant, if at all or ideally just carry a fresh change of clothes!
