February 23rd, 2017

Deodorant Detox Diaries - Part One 

​The word of the day folks is – say it with me – carcinogen. This is a little substance that can cause cancer and it is found in many products that we use on a daily basis. Yet, somehow the FDA and the other organizations set in place to assure quality products for human consumption let them role right through. Isn’t it lovely to know the government has our best interest at heart, yeah I know.
 
Toothpaste, cleaning and some food products, all have been proven to contain many cancer-causing agents – all of which can be found in our homes. From a logical standpoint, I’m sure there is some type of loop hold as to why the government allows these brands to continue use of these ingredients. Probably some bull about how the amount is so minute it can’t even really be proven through testing, they use that one a lot. Since the government isn’t going to look out for us its time we take things into our own hands. Be our own eyes and ears to the products we purchase and consume. I have decided to start with deodorant. I have made the vow to put down the Powder fragranced Dove deodorant to detox my body of its chemicals in preparation for a healthier option.
 
In preparation for my detox I did lots of research to guide my journey – understanding why I’m doing it, what I’m avoiding and what the experience was of others who embarked on this before I had. In this research I learned a number of things.
 
1. The government talks in circles regarding tricky subjects and can be very indirect.
This may not be news but it certainly acted as a reminder. Using terms like may, studies show, some research all so they can cover themselves when it comes out that deodorant and anti-perspirants do indeed have a direct correlation with breast cancer.
 
2. There is a difference between Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant.
Global Healing Center says that most people use the two interchangeably however they are different. The difference between these two products lies in the process thought the goal of smelling socially acceptable remains the same.
 
Anti-perspirant: prevents sweating from occurring
Deodorant: allow perspiration and block odor  
 
One hinders a natural process (sweating) from happening while the other masks the process. Still in all, both products contain aluminum as an active ingredient, which is proven to be harmful.
 
3. Deodorant is a major endocrine disruptor.
The thing is just about in life ever is an ED, its scary. I actually want to just crawl under a rock – oh gosh, here comes the anxiety. Truthfully, in today’s society so many things we consume are contrived and toxic its hard to make the decision to be healthy. The way I see it, it’s a matter of picking your battles a lesson we’ve all learned at some point in life. For me, deodorant is a battle not too compromising to my convenience and a battle that is indeed possible to defeat so I started here.
 
Here’s how it works. We shave our pits right? Whether we are aware or not often times we leave unnoticeable nicks behind which allows the chemicals to either seep through our skin or sneak in through openings and screw up our hormonal balances which is kept under control by our endocrine system. Let’s go folks, this is basic junior high school health class stuff.
 
4. What the heck triclosan is.
Triclosan is used as an antibacterial agent, another ED that potential affects estrogen receptors directly (ProtectYourBreasts.org). Estrogen feeds cancer cells in the breast helping them grow and guess what happens then? One hundred dollars to anyone who can guess! Luckily for us triclosan is in lots of products that we use on a daily basis. YAY! Triclosan you rock! 
 
Overall, I learned that the MAJOR KEY to helping yourself get cancer is deodorant. Obviously I’m aware that people have used deodorants their whole lives have not one drop of cancer in site however, I am also aware that the increasing number of cancer victims and survivors has risen to a number that gives me serious anxiety. As a logical thinker and intellectual I can only conclude that our society’s overconsumption of chemically based products has grown hence why the number in cancer cases have as well.
 
As daunting as it may seem I will be going 30 days without deodorant. Good deal actually, I’ll be done before the real heat hits  - looks like the armpit gods were on my side. Putting on my resourceful hat I decided there has to be a way I can do this without smelling grotesque so I came up with the idea of toting baby wipes/wash cloth to do the occasional hour wash up. No pain, no gain. This is my one-week mark and 3 more to go. I’ve been smelling better than expected and when expressing this to my friends they were nothing but supportive, I have the receipts to prove it:
 
The moral of that anecdote: let your haters be your motivators.
 
I’ll be back with Detox Diaries Part Deux with my progress, medical professional feedback, and much more.  
 

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