There is a great deal of confusion about the safety of aluminum-containing antiperspirants when it comes to breast cancer. Most health professionals and patients aren’t even aware that there is a controversy. Here is one reader’s question regarding this issue:
Q. During breast cancer treatment I was told to use special deodorants without aluminum. They were only fair for controlling odor and perspiration.
I switched to milk of magnesia with great success. I read on your website that vinegar and lemon juice help some women prevent body odor. I will try this combination to see if it will work for me.
A. There is quite a controversy about potential adverse effects of aluminum on the breast. A recent study published in the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry (Nov. 2015) suggests that aluminum may “increase migration of human breast cancer cells…” The authors point out some issues that most Americans are totally unaware of:
“Although the human population is exposed to aluminium (Al) through diet, antacids and vaccines, application of Al-based antiperspirant salts to the underarm provides a high and continuous exposure for the local area of the human breast. Al chlorohydrate is permitted at levels of up to 20% in cosmetic products in the European Union and is often applied after shaving, a procedure which can create nicks in the skin allowing greater absorption into underlying tissues. In Great Britain, currently over 50% of breast cancers arise in the upper outer quadrant of the breast and for which an adequate explanation is lacking and which is the area local to antiperspirant application. Absorption of Al from application of Al-based antiperspirant salts has been demonstrated through intact skin and recent studies have shown that damage to the skin through procedures equivalent to shaving can further increase absorption.”
Some scientists have called for the reduction of aluminum in antiperspirants (Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Apr., 2014):
“Since aluminium (Al) pervades our environment, the scientific community has for many years raised concerns regarding its safety in humans. Al is present in numerous cosmetics such as antiperspirants, lipsticks and sunscreens. Al chlorohydrate is the active antiperspirant agent in underarm cosmetics and may constitute for Al a key exposure route to the human body and a potential source of damage…In addition, several studies suggest that the presence of Al in human breast could influence metastatic process. As a consequence, given that the toxicity of Al has been widely recognized and that it is not a physiological component in human tissues, reducing the concentration of this metal in antiperspirants is a matter of urgency.”
The Opposite Position:
Others scientists maintain that aluminum antiperspirants pose no risks (International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, May, 2012):
“Data analysis indicates that using antiperspirant routinely during external beam radiotherapy for Stage 0, I, or II breast cancer does not affect the intensity of the skin reaction or the self-reported quality of life. This evidence supports that in this particular population, there is no purpose to restrict these women from using antiperspirants during their treatment, and the decision to use an antiperspirant or not in this setting should be left to the discretion of the patient.”
A similar conclusion was reached in this study (International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Nov. 15, 2009):
“No evidence was found to prohibit deodorant use (notwithstanding the use of an antiperspirant with aluminum) during RT [radiotherapy] for breast cancer.”
Clearly scientists disagree about the dangers of aluminum antiperspirants when it comes to breast cancer and treatment of this condition with radiation. That said, there is also a lot of controversy regarding the effects of aluminum on the brain. We won’t go into that complicated issue here. Suffice it to say, the final chapter has not been written on the risks of aluminum exposure in humans.
Magnesium Hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) for Body Odor:
Milk of magnesia (aka MoM) appears to be safe when applied to the skin, and many people find it helpful against body odor. Magnesium is an essential mineral for normal cellular function. Whereas our bodies do not need aluminum to survive, we could not continuing existing without magnesium.
Several years ago we were heard from a reader of our syndicated newspaper column that milk of magnesia is surprisingly effective as a deodorant. Subsequently we have heard from many people living in tropical climates that they have been using this liquid laxative as a deodorant for decades. When we tried it ourselves we were surprised at how effective it was. But we also found sloshing liquid milk of magnesia on our underarms was not convenient.
That is why we developed The People’s Pharmacy Aluminum-Free Roll-On Deodorant. Here are just a few reviews out of the hundreds you will find in the shopping cart.
Rose says:
“I have used Milk of Magnesia right out of the bottle as a deodorant, but it is nice to have it in a roll-on container; much less messy! It works great, even when I am under stress and would tend to perspire more. I don’t notice any odor at all. Other over-the-counter aluminum-free products did not work as well as this.”
Jan offers this:
“MoM works much better than health food store deodorant. I love that it’s unscented, and of course, contains no aluminum.”
Bess in Raleigh adds:
“This product is wonderful. It dries fairly quickly and can last a long time with no irritation. Thanks, PP!”
You will find lots and lots of reviews at this link. Some are not so enthusiastic, which is why it pays to read a wide number of reviews. Be sure to click on the arrow for “Older Reviews” to get a full range of reactions. You will find reviews of the scented product here. To be completely honest, some women do not like this fragrance and much prefer the unscented MoM deodorant.
Anyone who wants to try all three of our products (Men’s MoM, MoM for Women and unscented MoM) can go for our sampler pack. The sampler comes with an 18% discount for buying all three automatically.
Should People Worry About Aluminum Antiperspirants?
The final answer remains elusive. The controversy over aluminum has persisted for decades and continues to this day. Some scientists are adamant that there is no problem. Others have linked aluminum to neurotoxicity and abnormal cellular changes that seem to promote cancer. We are not likely to have a final answer on aluminum until far more research is done. In the meantime we like the European model called the Precautionary Principle. That means be careful until a given chemical or product is proven absolutely safe. Do not expect the FDA to require such research for aluminum antiperspirants anytime soon.
One Final Caution for this Reader:
If you try lemon juice and vinegar on your skin, be cautious about going outside in the summer. Some people react with an exaggerated burn when skin has been doused with lemon juice.
