Deodorant Detox!
What is a DEODORANT DETOX? This is a process where you STOP, that’s right, STOP using Antiperspirants.
What’s the difference between Antiperspirants and a Deodorant? The fundamental differences lie in the way these products work, and potentially affect your health. Essentially the non-natural products each use different chemical processes for minimizing body odor. Certain ingredients in either product may be unhealthy, but deodorant is frequently cited as a better alternative than many antiperspirants.
Antiperspirants contain fragrance, but they also contain chemical compounds such as Aluminum Compounds: aluminum zirconium and aluminum cholorohydrate. These compounds work to block pores that release sweat. Remember that Aluminum is a Heavy Metal and like other heavy metals may interfere with the ability of estrogen receptors to correctly process hormones.
Deodorant allows the release of perspiration, but prevents odor by combating it with antiseptic agents, which kill odor-causing bacteria.
Some other chemicals found in Antiperspirants and Deodorants are:
Propylene Glycol a penetration enhanceer and is most harmvul when combined with other chemical additives. This ingredient even in concentrations as low as 2% provokes Skin Irritation in many people. Manufactures CAN create a product with 50% propylene glycol content. You won’t believe it but you will find this ingredient in many natural deodorants!!!
Triclosan, this is one of the bad boys on the “bad” chemicals list. This chemical is used as an antibacterial agent and preservative. Triclosan reacts with tap water to create chloroform gas which is a potential carcinogen!!! Triclosan also exhibits endocrine disrupting properties in marine animals. This should concern everyone because it has also shown up in human breast milk and blood!!!
Steareths are usually listed with a number such as steareth-15. These additives come from a cheap process that makes harsh ingredients more mild.
What to do!!!
First of all the pores under your arms have been constricted and blocked so you nee to get them functioning again. Start by dry-brushing your underarm area. Use a natural bristle brush (you may want to try the Dirty Girl Farm aloo soap sleeve) or a dry washcloth. Rub or brush the dry skin of the underarm to stimulate blood flow to the area.
In the bathtum or shower, apply a hot soapy washcloth to melt away any residue left by your old antipersperant/deodorant.
Massage the lymph glands in the armpits to help stimulate the cleansing process.
Raise your arm above your head and using just the fingertips of the opposite hand, massage in small ciruclar strokes for 30 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side. Wastes in the lymph glands are eliminated by manually moving them through the lymphatic system. Remember we have lymph glands behind the knees so remember to massage them also.
Okay now we are down to the nitty gritty….and the hardest part….DON’T WEAR ANY DEODORANT FOR A FEW DAYS!!! You may want to choose a few days when you know that you don’t have any social functions to participate in. You may not notice too much of a fragrance at first. It could take 3 days to a week before you begin to smell an earthy aroma. Remember to go through the dry brushing, massage, warm washcloth ritural EVERY DAY! You may notice some itching. That is your underarms way of ridding themselves of dead skin cells, chemical residue and fluid buildup. Remember to respect your body and it’s hard work by resting and eating organic whole foods as you go through this detoxing process. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.
In about 3-5 days the itching will subside and you have developed that earthy fragrance choose a NATURAL DEODORANT.
What’s inside a NATURAL DEODORANT?
MINERAL SALTS, ammonium or potassium alum which are the same ingredients found in the solid crystal stone deodorants. (Dirty Girl Farm Thai Deodorant Stone). These minerals work by constricting the protein in sweat so the malodorous bacteria have less to feed on
CLAYS which are earth clays such as kaolin, betonite and French green clay (such as Dirty Girl Farm deodorants) help absorb excess moisture. (Remember, natural deodorants do not contain the aluminum based anti-perspirants. Your body should sweat, this is a natural process that removes waste from the body.)
ASTRINGENT HERBS like Tea Tree, Lavender and Sage which have anti-bacterial properties.
WAX like Beeswax and plant waxes such as Carnuba, Candelila or Meadowfoam help to solidify the deodorant and assist in allowing the deodorant to “stick” to the skin.
Read Labels!!! Some manufactures try to “green” a product by tucking in a few natural ingredients among the chemical components. If you don’t know what the ingredient is DON’T BUY IT!!!!
Dirty Girl Farm ALWAYS discloses ingredients and if there is ever a question, just ask!!! We Dirty Girl’s love talking about ingredients.
