Its summer! The sun is out, more time is being spent outdoors, picnics are taking place in parks, and people are sweating. For some, this is a problem. An increase of sweat can lead to an increase in smell. No one wants to smell like a locker room while they are trying to enjoy their summer. This quick and easy armpit detox is the perfect solution. It will help pull heavy metals from the body, reduce bad bacteria, and leave you feeling fresh and clean. It’s made from just two simple ingredients that, if you have been a part of the crunchy world for a while, you probably already have on hand. So, try it today and see what a difference a quick detox can do for you.
Before we dive into the detox recipe, let’s talk a bit about why we sweat and the purpose of it, what causes underarm odor, and why we smell more after certain events.
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Why we sweat
The main point of sweating is to cool down the body. When it is warm outside, or after exercising, our eccrine glands release sweat. As this moisture evaporates, the body cools down.
There are also other things that can trigger sweat such as an emotionally traumatic event, or anxiety. When this happens, sweat is instead released from the apocrine glands. Usually, the only time these glands are activated is when we are nervous, anxious or unusually excited.
Most of us don’t have all that many sweat glands actually in our armpits. It seems like there are because it is difficult for the sweat to evaporate *cue sweat marked shirts*. Underarm odor is usually caused by this moisture getting trapped, harboring bacteria, and getting funky.
Sweat is also a method the body uses to naturally detox. Sweat is a vehicle to remove toxins like alcohol, and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury. This is why if someone is trying to quit smoking it is suggested to spend time in a sauna for several days in a row. The sweating will help rid the body of the nicotine, so it is easier to break the addiction. However, these toxins are also a common cause of increased odor.
Times we smell more than normal
Birth
There are times that body odor is unusually strong. One of those times is after a woman gives birth. The hormonal changes trigger an increase in body odor, and because of this it becomes easier for the baby to find her breasts and nurse. It is remarkable and an incredibly perfect design. However, it can be embarrassing for her, especially if it goes on for more than a few weeks.
Transitioning to natural deodorant
Another time when our under arms can smell particularly strong is after transitioning from conventional deodorant, especially if it was antiperspirant. As stated before, not only are we supposed to sweat, but we detox through our sweat. Antiperspirant works by literally blocking sweat ducts, usually through the use of aluminum compounds. Aluminum is considered to be a heavy metal, which means using a heavy metal to stop the body from sweating, which is how it detoxes heavy metals, probably isn’t the best idea.
There is a transition period whenever typical deodorants are traded in for more natural options. Using deodorant can actually change the body’s bacteria overtime and it takes time to adjust back to normal. A natural detox also occurs which pulls out dyes, fragrances, heavy metals, and other harmful chemicals that were contained in the deodorant. Since we naturally detox these things, anyway, why not give the body some help and speed up that process.
Conventional Deodorant
The deodorant I currently use is a salt stick I found on amazon. It works by simply killing the bad bacteria and prevents them from growing for hours.
Some of the things to avoid in common deodorants are:
Aluminum
This heavy metal can accumulate in the body over time which can lead to health concerns. Some studies have linked it breast cancer, kidney problems, and Alsheimer’s. It can also cause a hormone disruption and prevent the body from properly detoxing.
Parabens
The body sees them as estrogen which can cause a disruption of the natural production of hormones. This can lead to a hinderance in reproductive development and infertility. There is also a heightened risk of cancer after repeated use.
They are easily absorbed by the skin and stay in the body. They have been found bodily tissues and even in breast milk.
Phthalates
These also disrupt the endocrine system (the bodily system that is responsible for the production and regulation of hormones).
Fragrances
Oh, the fragrance loophole. Simply put, it is a way companies can put a whole long list of chemicals in a product and not tell you. The only clue as to what is in the product is the word “fragrance”. This cocktail of chemicals can cause a laundry list of adverse health effects including musculoskeletal, immune, cognitive, neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular problems. It also can trigger severe migraine headaches and mucosal symptoms.
Even products labeled as “unscented” can still contain fragrance to mask the chemical smell of the product, so be sure to always check the label before buying.
The detox
Before trying this I did some research and there were people saying they didn’t need to use deodorant as often, that they smelled less, and that they even sweat less. I was very excited to try it and smells so fresh after I washed it off.
This recipe is so easy, just mix up two ingredients, add some water, and that’s it!
Start with 1 Tablespoon of bentonite clay (get it in bulk here) then add in 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar. Add in enough water to make a thick paste, should be 2-3 tsp.
Mix until smooth and then apply to clean armpits. Leave it to sit for 10-15 minutes while keeping arms raised to avoid spreading the paste.
The armpits are a slightly more sensitive area. Its normal for the area to turn red due to the impurities being drawn to the surface of the skin. However, if having the paste causes pain or irritation, wash it off with warm water immediately.
How to get the most out of your armpit detox
Use warm water. The clay and apple cider vinegar will probably be between room temperature and cold, so a bit of hot water helps a lot.
Do this right before a shower so clean up is super easy.
If you have sensitive skin, start with less vinegar, or possibly leave it out altogether depending on your preference.
Apply the detox to clean armpits. In my experience the results last longer this way.
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