Bacteria levels may start to drop. Cultivating bacteria can rebalance and stop the overproduction of odor-causing bacteria. What this means is that you're likely to notice odor problems starting to decrease. Humidity levels in the armpits will also normalize.
Before we can continue to discuss the switch to a natural deodorant, we need to clarify something. Antiperspirants and deodorants work differently in their methods of reducing body odor, says Aragona Giuseppe, MD, GP and medical advisor to Prescription Doctor. Simply put, an antiperspirant will contain aluminum. The function of aluminum is to reduce perspiration by preventing sweat from leaving the body, thus stopping adverse odor and keeping the body dry.
Conversely, a deodorant works to neutralize natural body odor by masking it. While this transition is very common and completely normal, it can be very disturbing. Giuseppe suggests giving your body time to adapt. During the transition to using a natural deodorant, a reaction (itchy pits or rash) may occur.
If you've been using conventional deodorants or antiperspirants for years, it can take 2 to 4 weeks to detoxify and release all the aluminum from your pits that prevents you from sweating. As you switch to a natural deodorant, your armpits will go through a detoxification process, which will cause a little detoxification. You can expect the transition period to last between two and four weeks. If you don't want to embrace your natural musk, try these recipes for body sprays with essential oils to smell like a lush lemon tree or a sunny apple orchard.
As with any other product, even the best natural deodorant can contain ingredients that you're allergic to or that can irritate sensitive skin. If you've been using an antiperspirant for a while, expect to sweat a little more when you switch to a natural deodorant. You may have heard horror stories about how switching to a natural deodorant totally sucks (literally). I've tried using natural deodorant several times since then, but practically in a matter of hours I get that rash again.
In terms of personal care, natural alternatives, from toothpaste and deodorant to shampoo and body lotion, seem to be everywhere. You may go a couple of days or even a week without noticing much difference between your antiperspirant and your natural deodorant. Natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo and linen are your new best friends, since natural fibers are much more breathable and both sweat and bacteria won't be trapped inside. Now, 10 years after my transition to natural deodorant, I finally see natural varieties that give free rein to conventional hygiene.
My choice to switch to a natural deodorant was simple, but the transition didn't go as well as I had planned. But if you're patient and put up with it, you'll give your natural deodorant the time it needs to start working with your body's chemistry.
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