Aluminum content in deodorant, is it dangerous?

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Do you use deodorant every day? Deodorant is an anti-odor and excessive sweat product. This product has become one of the self-care that is considered quite important. However, recently there is widespread news that deodorants contain aluminum which is at risk of causing various serious diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. Millions of people who use deodorant every day automatically become anxious. Is it true that the aluminum content in deodorants is not safe for health? Check out to find out the answer below.

The function of aluminum in deodorants

Aluminum is the active ingredient found in most deodorant and anti-sweat products. The skin will absorb this active ingredient and its function is to inhibit the armpit glands. That way, the body will not produce as much sweat as usual so that bacteria will not gather. The bacteria produced by sweat glands are the cause of unpleasant body odor.

Relationship between aluminum and breast cancer

Many believe that the way aluminum works is actually harmful to the body. Because the task of aluminum is to prevent sweat from getting out of the armpit, the theory that is widely circulating is that poisons and bacteria that should be released along with sweat will also get trapped inside your body. Because the armpit is located very close to the breast, people speculate that various bacteria and poisons and the aluminum content will interact with DNA in the body. This is believed to be at risk of causing genetic mutations that are not perfect so that cancer cells can grow in the breast. Aluminum is also believed to affect the hormone estrogen, a hormone that plays a role in the growth and spread of breast cancer in a woman's body. This risk can increase when the pores on the skin exposed to deodorant are open, usually because of shaving underarm hair.

Relationship between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease

Similar to the theory that developed around the dangers of aluminum in the growth of breast cancer cells, many also link aluminum to Alzheimer's disease. People believe that aluminum will block various poisons, harmful substances, and bacteria from being discharged through sweat. Because it is not removed from the body, various poisons and bacteria will "get lost" and move towards the lymph nodes (lymph nodes) which is around the neck. Together with the content of aluminum itself, these poisons and bacteria are said to gather in brain tissue and ultimately cause Alzheimer's disease. Some people even believe that if a little of the aluminum content absorbed by the body is able to cause damage to the brain nerve.

What do the experts say?

Although theories about the dangers of aluminum content in deodorants are likely, experts still doubt the impact. Apparently health institutions, experts, and health product safety supervisors have agreed that further research is needed to prove the impact of aluminum on the body. Scientifically, the danger of aluminum for the body cannot be ascertained.

According to a cancer specialist who served as Head of the American Cancer Society's Medical Content, there have been no studies that have shown that the use of deodorants risks breast cancer. Ted S. Gansler, a cancer specialist, also added that the studies and observations that had been carried out so far still contained some disabilities so the results could not yet be considered valid. This fact is also supported by the National Cancer Institute which states that early research that caused anxiety in the community did not reveal that you who use deodorant are more at risk of developing breast cancer.

Meanwhile, Heather M. Snyder of the Alzheimer's Association revealed that current research has not succeeded in drawing a line between aluminum, deodorants and Alzheimer's disease. According to him, aluminum in deodorants will not even be absorbed by the body. Aluminum works to prevent sweat by building a barrier layer on the surface of the skin where you use deodorant. The layer is formed because of the reaction of aluminum with water content in sweat. Dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology also confirm this fact. He further explained that in conditions of open pores, aluminum content would not be able to enter until the lymph nodes or other channels because the amount is very little.

So is it true that aluminum in deodorants is dangerous?

So far, experts are still debating and investigating further about the dangers of deodorants containing aluminum. Health workers around the world urge people to better focus on living a healthy lifestyle by diligently exercising, maintaining a diet, and routinely checking health in general. After all, the risk of breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease is usually triggered by unhealthy lifestyles and genetic factors, not just the use of aluminum deodorants.

If you are worried about the dangers of aluminum, you should choose an aluminum-free deodorant. Pay attention to the content information printed on the product label you choose. You can also look for alternative deodorants that are lighter and free of harmful chemicals, such as powder or baking soda.