Can the sexy smelling deodorant give you cancer?

Hollywood hottie Cameron Diaz has confessed in the past that she hasn’t used a deodorant in the last 20 years. And not just her, even hunks like Matthew McConaughey and Bradley Cooper refrain from using it. Back home, our Bollywood Khiladi Akshay Kumar too doesn’t believe in using deos. He has also instructed and educated his staff against the ills of using a deo spray or stick on their underarms. Fact: Deodorants posses carcinogenic properties i.e. they could lead to cancer in the long run. Read on to know more...

Carcinogenic properties

Dr Satish Bhatia, MD, Dermatology and Skin surgery, Indian Cancer Society, admits that deodorants posses cancerous properties but whose effects may be seen/felt in the long run. “Chemicals like dimethicone and propylene glycol present in deodorants contain highly precarcinogenic properties. Also, aluminum hexachloride to some extent. Deodorants also tend to kill the good bacteria present in the armpits and groin area, when used.

Besides this, over a period of time, one develops immunity towards deodorants. The common harmful effects include skin irritation and discolouration.”

Aesthetic physician and antiageing expert Dr Jamuna Pai says, “I can only say that all chemicals that are left on the skin to absorb can add to the increase in the free radical levels that are responsible for ageing as well as disease (all diseases including cancer) but I would definitely not label it cancerous.” Dr Amit Karkhanis, cosmetologist and director of Dr Tvacha Clinic, adds that many people are allergic to deodorants because of the presence of alumnium and parabens in them, especially for asthmatic individuals. “There are some studies which claim that deodorants can prove to be carcinogenic but it hasn’t been fully proved. But there is a high concentrate of chemicals in lower end products.”

Women more prone

Deos are sprayed directly on the skin, usually underarms. Cancer-causing substances in antiperspirants are absorbed through the skin and deposited in the lymph nodes under the arm. The antiperspirant keeps one from perspiring, and the high concentration of toxins crystallise, and causes lumps or cells mutating into cancer. There are many studies that suggest antiperspirants lead to breast cancer. Most breast cancers develop in the upper outer quadrant of the breast because that area is closest to the lymph nodes exposed to antiperspirants.

There might be a possibility of deodorants contributing to cancer in the long term however, it’s too early to label them as cancerous. “There are many trials and studies being undertaken on this issue across the globe. There are some studies that support this claim, however, there is no conclusive evidence of deodorants being cancerous. There are various factors that contribute to breast cancer, and may be use of deodorants might end up being one of them but there’s no direct link,” reasons out oncologist Dr Sumeet Shah.

Other alternatives

We live in a city that’s hot and humid, also the food we eat – oily, spicy, plenty of onions and garlic– is bound to give rise to sweat and subsequently body odour too. So if not a deo, what are the other alternatives? Dr Karkhanis says that roll-ons are a preferred option because they have a much lesser quantity of chemicals is much lesser. Avoid deodorants containing aluminium and instead opt for natural deodorants.

What about do-it-yourself at home deodorants, are they feasible? “Baking soda (not to be confused baking powder) mixed with some coconut oil or cocoa butter or shea butter can be used, however, one must be very careful while making them at home. Also, one has to check, if they are allergic to any ingredients. Just because the products are natural, doesn’t mean they cannot cause irritation in some people. Another option for individuals who sweat a lot would be getting botox injections on the underarms. It costs around `25,000 for both the underarms and effects last for six months,” says he.

Difference between a deo and an anti-perspirant

Not many people are aware of the difference between the two, not only just in terms of the names but also as to how they work. Deodorants work by neutralising the bacteria and masking the sweat odour. Whereas, anti-perspirants block the functioning of the sweat glands, informs Dr Karkhanis adding that not all deodorants contain aluminium but to avoid those which do.

Safer alternatives

Whether or not these experts reach a consensus on deodorants being cancerous, one thing all of them agree on is that perfumes are a much safer alternate to using deodorants, simply because they contain essential oils and far lesser amount of chemicals. Since perfumes are an expensive affair, deodorant sticks is another cheaper and safe alternative.

Dos and don’ts of deos...

But if you still want to use deodorants, preferably avoid using it directly on the skin and instead spray it on your clothes. There’s no hard and fast rule to avoid using it on the skin but when using them, spray from a distance of at least six to eight inches, cautions Dr Bhatia.