You have moved, or are moving away from traditional deodorants, and bought a Natural brand you want to trust. You are eager to start using it to clean out your body of toxins.
The results are phenomenal, incredible, and you are amazed that an ALL natural deodorant really does work! But after a few days/weeks of wearing Natural Deodorants you notice a painful red rash under your armpits, sometimes it's even raw. (This may or may not happen to you.)
Your first reaction is to stop using it all together and blame the sodium bicarbonate (baking soda, because some people are sensitive to the baking soda) and immediately go back to wearing the chemical laden deodorant.
So, have you ever inquired or researched why this happens to your pits? Let me assure you that it's ok, that's why I am here, to do the research and share the insights to why this happens.
First, let me help you treat the Red Rash, because it is uncomfortable and sometimes painful:
• When the rash appears, stop using the deodorant and apply baby butt-ointment; this works really well, since it treats burns and chafing. Our pits are as sensitive as a baby's bottom, so this ointment is very effective to alleviate the discomfort. I make my own all-natural ointment which I will soon be adding to our product line. As soon as it's completed be assured you will know!
Ok, so now,
"Why do we get the red rash?"
here is why...
1. Not having a PH Balanced body:
Traditional deodorants that are antiperspirants contain a variety of artificial chemicals and additives. These ingredients block the pits natural ability to perspire. Some of the ingredients are: Aluminum, Propylene glycol, Phthalates, Parabens, and other ingredients that are hard to pronounce. So, now that you know more of the 'scientific' reasons why you should move far, far-away from 'traditional' deodorants its best to understand what your body may experience once you permanently switch to a natural alternative.
Be aware that your pits may undergo a detox stage, meaning, via the sweat glands your body will begin to expel the artificial chemicals (toxins); this stage is unique to each one and it may take a day or even weeks before it officially starts. Hence, the imbalance of your PH triggers the red rash, the typical way in which this reaction manifests in the body.
With a few simple steps you can help your body be PH Balanced:
• Check your PH balance with strips. You can purchase in store or on amazon here.
• Then, perform a simple armpit detox:
Apple cider vinegar* or lemon, after you shower, use a cotton ball to apply either of these high acidic foods to your pits. These healthy acids help neutralize stinky bad bacteria that is lingering in your pits. Allow to air-dry.
Do this every day for about 1-2 weeks until you see the difference, you will notice that you may not even need deodorant at this point.
Note: if using lemon, do not go outside to avoid discoloration of your skin also known as Phytophotodermatitis.
*You can find Apple cider vinegar in any super market, but make sure its With The Mother.
If you don’t want to do the Simple Detox, then you can help your pits by:
• Increasing your body sweat by: exercising, having a detox, or steam baths.
• Mind what you eat.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Stay clear from synthetic fibers (clothing). Stay with natural fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, wool, etc.
•Pro-biotics supplements.
If you have a balanced PH and still get the red rash, then this may be the reason why:
2. Intertrigo (intertriginous dermatitis) is an inflammatory condition of skin folds, induced or aggravated by heat, moisture, maceration, friction, and lack of air circulation.
Since you are no longer using antiperspirants, your armpits are now free to sweat, a lot or a little, depending on your body-type, therefore, they need to keep dry in order to avoid Intertrigo.Here are a few steps to help keep your pits dry:
• Use cotton clothing.
• Raise your arms once in a while to ventilate or dry them with a towel.
• Use arrowroot or corn starch powder under the pits to absorb moisture.
Now that you have taken care of the red rash, a common stage that follows new all-natural deodorant users is the darkening of the armpits. I've researched this topic extensively, and found that there are no specific reasons why this happens. Yet, much of the information I came across stated that it usually happens to individuals with darker skin tones. However, I have to differ with this last piece of information, here's why: a close friend of mine who's teenage daughter uses natural deodorants had her armpits turn really dark, and her skin tone is fair.
My theory (NOT scientifically proven, but my own experience): the brown armpit is the layer of skin that has healed from the red rash, therefore creating a thin scab. Think of it as a cut that the body has healed and now appears as a scab. That's it, and some people get it and some don't, that's just how the human body is built. Just make sure to exfoliate your pits from time to time to remove it.
I gave my friend a sample of my Wonder Ointment (still working on the name). I asked her to apply it on her daughter's pits at night. Each time her daughter gently exfoliated her pits she noticed the darker layer of skin was easily peeling off, thus, revealing her natural skin tone. The process took 2-3 days, truly amazing results I should say!
Believe me, I am working on getting this awesome ointment onto the market!
Other uses for this ointment include: sunscreen, chapped lips, chafed skin, mosquito bites, sunburn, pimples, and rashes. It's really this awesome...And it's ALL NATURAL!
On to another armpit problem:
WHY DO YOUR ARMPITS STILL SMELL EVEN AFTER YOU SHOWER AND WEAR DEODORANT?
There are many factors for B.O. (body odor):
• A diet that contains cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cabbage are high in sulfur and we know what sulfur smells like, if you don’t, it smells like rotten eggs. EWW! If you can, try avoiding cruciferous veggies.
• STRESS and ANXIETY. When you are feeling any of these, the sweat produced contains fat in which bacteria resides. A stinky acid is released when the bacteria breaks down the fat. Another EWW!
To counter act stress and anxiety, try to meditate, breathe, count to 10 or 100. Or if you work in a stressful environment find the time to take 5 minutes to bring your stress level down by focusing on ideas that give you joy. Or contact a Certified Life Coach here who can help you develop proven strategies to overcome STRESS and ANXIETY.
• Other things that give us body odor are ones that we just won't stay away from:
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Certain diets that include: spicy foods, junk foods, highly-processed foods, low-carb diets, etc.
As an informed guess, if you are going to consume any or all of the above foods in your diet, just be prepared to battle the 'stink fest' that will be coming from your body.
If you have tried everything to fight B.O. and nothing works, then we suggest consulting a doctor; it may be due to a medical condition.
If you have had any issues with the red rash and are afraid of using Natural Deodorants, 'trust' may be difficult to build again. I understand your reasons for this because I've experienced the whirlwind of physical and emotional symptoms described in this article. Yet, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I will ask you to believe the following: if you detox and purge your body from toxins and chemicals, and thereafter help your pits stay dry, you will be able to use our proven Naked Deodorant or any other natural deodorant without getting the side-effects, such as the infamous red rash.
Don't fear natural deodorants, they mean no harm to you, only good. Your body is your temple, and its the only place you'll get to live in. So, please be mindful on what you consume and apply on your body, because one thing its certain: your body will either react in a good or bad way.
Hope all this information helps you.
Until next time...
