Deodorants

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maryannrogers
maryannrogers Member Posts: 115
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Does anyone know if I would have to use a certain deodorant after having my mastectomy and lymph node removal? I've read there the ones to use are the one's that do not contain aluminum. Has anyone else ever heard of this?

I'd appreciate any input you have.

Love,
Maryann

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  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #2
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    Deoderants
    Maryann,

    This is another one that is left to one's discretion...the National Institute of Health has found no definitive correlation between deoderant/anti-perspirant use and BC. The aluminum thing is another "waffler" ...but there are many non aluminum deoderants on the market. They are not anti-perspirants, but do deoderize. There is a spray that I like, it is called Crystal. It is aluminum, fragrance, and paraben-free, and hypo-allergenic. It comes in solid form as well, but I prefer the spray.

    The up side for me is: My "affected" underarm rarely sweats, and is non stinky! Wow~ is that the BOOBIE Prize I got for having fought the Beast? :-) I would have gladly continued regular bathing, shaving and deoderant, believe me!

    Hope this helps you!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #3
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    Maryann
    Hi! I don't think you have to use a special deodorant after a mastectomy or after lymph

    removal, or, not that I am aware of. However, during radiation treatments, you

    can NOT wear just any deodorant. You can only use a deodorant that is Aluminum Free. I

    bought Tom's. ( It is Natural Care Tom's of Maine ) It is aluminum free. But, the rads

    killed my sweat glands, so, I don't need deodorant on that underarm at all. No hair and no

    sweating there anymore!

    But, it is always best to ask your oncologist. Hope this helps you!

    Hugs, Kristin
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #4
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    Kristin N said:

    Maryann
    Hi! I don't think you have to use a special deodorant after a mastectomy or after lymph

    removal, or, not that I am aware of. However, during radiation treatments, you

    can NOT wear just any deodorant. You can only use a deodorant that is Aluminum Free. I

    bought Tom's. ( It is Natural Care Tom's of Maine ) It is aluminum free. But, the rads

    killed my sweat glands, so, I don't need deodorant on that underarm at all. No hair and no

    sweating there anymore!

    But, it is always best to ask your oncologist. Hope this helps you!

    Hugs, Kristin

    I also use Tom's
    Not because there is a DEFINITE link between BC and aluminum, but because there is a possible one. I just feel better using the ones with the least potentially harmful chemicals and substances. The only thing about the Tom's deodorant is that the non-scented solid seems to have its own funky smell! I don't want my underarm to smell like that. Maybe I will try the crystal stuff that Claudia uses. My affected underarm is half hairless and half hairy. Talk about freak!

    Mimi
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #5
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    Ditto
    I am the same as Kristin and Mimi, except, I had radiation on both sides,

    so, I have no hair and no sweat glands on either side. So, I do not need any deodorant.

    And, I was also told no deodorant during rads except for one that is aluminum free like

    Tom's. I quit using it after a couple of times because of what Mimi said. It does have its

    own funky smell, and, I didn't like it. lol


    I had a lumpectomy, so, I don't know anything about what to use or what not to use after a

    mastectomy. Always best to ask your doctor.

    Jeanne
  • jikaras
    jikaras Member Posts: 58
    #6
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    Deo
    I also asked this question a couple of weeks back. There is an alumimum deodorant, but you have to keep applying it. I bought a tube and didn't find that it worked at all. (I purchased it from the hospital store).

    I had the mast./lymph node removal - did not have chemo or radiation. I'm having troubles finding any deodorant that works, and I've been sticking with the Clynical Strength deodorants that are on the market. Those seem to be the only ones that help.

    Good Luck, hope my post helps

    Jill
  • jikaras
    jikaras Member Posts: 58
    #7
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    Deo
    I also asked this question a couple of weeks back. There is an alumimum deodorant, but you have to keep applying it. I bought a tube and didn't find that it worked at all. (I purchased it from the hospital store).

    I had the mast./lymph node removal - did not have chemo or radiation. I'm having troubles finding any deodorant that works, and I've been sticking with the Clynical Strength deodorants that are on the market. Those seem to be the only ones that help.

    Good Luck, hope my post helps

    Jill
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #8
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    Jeanne D said:

    Ditto
    I am the same as Kristin and Mimi, except, I had radiation on both sides,

    so, I have no hair and no sweat glands on either side. So, I do not need any deodorant.

    And, I was also told no deodorant during rads except for one that is aluminum free like

    Tom's. I quit using it after a couple of times because of what Mimi said. It does have its

    own funky smell, and, I didn't like it. lol


    I had a lumpectomy, so, I don't know anything about what to use or what not to use after a

    mastectomy. Always best to ask your doctor.

    Jeanne

    I'm confused....
    Did you have a lumpectomy on booth sides Jeanne? I noticed you said you were radiated on both sides. :) Pammy
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #9
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    Akiss4me said:

    I'm confused....
    Did you have a lumpectomy on booth sides Jeanne? I noticed you said you were radiated on both sides. :) Pammy

    Hi Pammy!
    I am confused all of the time Pammy, so, that is my norm. lol

    Yes, I had a lumpectomy on both sides. I had the first one in 85 and they removed all of my lymph nodes and I had 25 rads. I had the second lumpectomy this year and had 37 rad treatments.

    So, I have had a lot of radiation. Whether that be good or bad, I live my life everyday to the fullest and love it!

    Love, Jeanne

    If you look on my About Me page Pammy, I have written what I have been thru. :)
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #10
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    I had a lumpectomy, so, I
    I had a lumpectomy, so, I don't know about special deodorants for a mastectomy. But, I know

    that with radiation, it has to be non aluminum. Good luck Maryann!
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #11
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    Hi Maryann. I don't know
    Hi Maryann. I don't know about deodorants for a mastectomy and I don't know why you'd have to use something different because of lymph nodes removal. I had radiation treatments, so, I only have to use deodorant on one side and I use Secret or w/e I want. The other side had rads, so, no need for deodorant as I have no sweat glands there anymore. Hope you find something that works for you!

    Hugs, Lex
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #12
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    Alexis F said:

    Hi Maryann. I don't know
    Hi Maryann. I don't know about deodorants for a mastectomy and I don't know why you'd have to use something different because of lymph nodes removal. I had radiation treatments, so, I only have to use deodorant on one side and I use Secret or w/e I want. The other side had rads, so, no need for deodorant as I have no sweat glands there anymore. Hope you find something that works for you!

    Hugs, Lex

    I went and bought whats
    I went and bought whats called crystal deodorant. I don't know if I needed to but I did anyways. Tasha told me about this deodorant. It seems to do the trick.
  • maya00i
    maya00i Member Posts: 42
    #13
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    I don't think there is a
    I don't think there is a special deodorant. Only thing I was told that if you have radiation you can use baking soda and cornstarch.
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #14
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    Kat11 said:

    I went and bought whats
    I went and bought whats called crystal deodorant. I don't know if I needed to but I did anyways. Tasha told me about this deodorant. It seems to do the trick.

    deodorant
    I just checked what my radiation oncologist gave me to use ... and it's call ALRA ... it's non-metallic ... with aloe vera get and oil of cypress. It's in stick form like "regular" deodorant ... and has no scent. Seems to be working very well ...

    The website is www.alra.com

    hugs.
    teena
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #15
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    maya00i said:

    I don't think there is a
    I don't think there is a special deodorant. Only thing I was told that if you have radiation you can use baking soda and cornstarch.

    I don't think there is any
    I don't think there is any kind of special deodorant after a mastectomy or lymph node removal. It is just during radiation you have to use an aluminum free one.
  • Bev1969
    Bev1969 Member Posts: 48
    #16
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    They gave me a list of
    They gave me a list of Lymphedema Precautions and it says to use hypoallergenic deodorant rather than anti-perspirant. That was listed along with using an electric razor for shaving to avoid underarm irritation. My doctor never said anything about it but I went ahead and bought some hypoallergenic deodorant. I looked at the ingredients last night and it does have aluminum in it, but I do like it. It is a gel and goes on easier than a stick and it seems to work pretty well.
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #17
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    Antiperspirants and deodorants
    I wasn't told to use any specific kind, my interestingly, my daughter, who just returned from being an exchange student in Germany, brought home a spray that you spray onto your skin (or clothes), that smells good. I can't read the German label, but it works! How cool is that (on a hot day)? :) Lynn
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #18
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    lynn1950 said:

    Antiperspirants and deodorants
    I wasn't told to use any specific kind, my interestingly, my daughter, who just returned from being an exchange student in Germany, brought home a spray that you spray onto your skin (or clothes), that smells good. I can't read the German label, but it works! How cool is that (on a hot day)? :) Lynn

    If you ask your oncologist,
    If you ask your oncologist, I am sure that he will tell you what brand or kind to use. I didn't know you had to use something special. But, maybe you do.
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #19
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    Aluminum and Alzheimers
    Another thought.... aluminum has been linked to Alzheimers. Might be a good idea to stay away from it altogether. Sodas in aluminum cans have also been in question.

    Just a thought
    Jadie<3
  • sunnygirl
    sunnygirl Member Posts: 57 Member
    #20
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    stinky underarms
    I had a mast. on my right side with 29 lymph nodes removed.

    I don't know if anyone else experienced this--BUT--my left side has been my smelly side for years.

    Both before and after the mastectomy, I never had to use deodorant on the right side. Interesting, wouldn't you say??

    Cheryl

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