Question re deodorant vs antiperspirant

cahjah75
cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
After my bilateral mastectomy I was told not to use any deodorant. When I saw my surgeon 5 weeks post op he told me I could use deodorant (no aluminum). Will I ever be able to use antiperspirant again???? Deodorant is just for odor but does not stop wetness. Just wondering.
Char
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Comments

  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #2
    Char, I was told that I can
    Char, I was told that I can never use anything with aluminum again on my surgery side where I had lymph nodes removed. So I just got in the habit of using regular one on one side and Tom's deoderant on the other. I just always have 2 now! I was told that because of the node removal, that side does not perspire as much and also that regular will clog the pores.
    Hope this helps.
    Wanda
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #3
    Lighthouse_7 said:

    Char, I was told that I can
    Char, I was told that I can never use anything with aluminum again on my surgery side where I had lymph nodes removed. So I just got in the habit of using regular one on one side and Tom's deoderant on the other. I just always have 2 now! I was told that because of the node removal, that side does not perspire as much and also that regular will clog the pores.
    Hope this helps.
    Wanda

    Thanks Wanda
    I suspected as much. I had lymph nodes removed from both sides so I guess that means it's Tom's forever. Unfortunately I get wet underarms )-:
    Char
  • teresa41
    teresa41 Member Posts: 471
    #4
    cahjah75 said:

    Thanks Wanda
    I suspected as much. I had lymph nodes removed from both sides so I guess that means it's Tom's forever. Unfortunately I get wet underarms )-:
    Char

    spray deodorant
    i have used secret spray deodorant since last may 2009 i had a lumpectomy on the left and this may 2010 i had a mastectomy on the right my dr told me it was fine to use it. i havent had any problems, but everyone is different. not sure if you have tried cornstarch but i used it during radiation when i could not use deodorant it helped with wet underarms .


    teresa
  • filimu
    filimu Member Posts: 74
    #5
    teresa41 said:

    spray deodorant
    i have used secret spray deodorant since last may 2009 i had a lumpectomy on the left and this may 2010 i had a mastectomy on the right my dr told me it was fine to use it. i havent had any problems, but everyone is different. not sure if you have tried cornstarch but i used it during radiation when i could not use deodorant it helped with wet underarms .


    teresa

    My doctors
    never said a word about this to me when they were telling me what couldn't be done on my affected side arm. I'm surprised to hear of this. Could it be because I only had a small number of nodes removed, and they were all negative? Still, they were removed, and they outlawed all the other stuff for that arm. I've been using my regular antiperspirant since the surgery with no issues, but I'm going to bring that up at my next appointment.

    Seems I'm always learning something new from you great ladies. Thanks!
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #6
    filimu said:

    My doctors
    never said a word about this to me when they were telling me what couldn't be done on my affected side arm. I'm surprised to hear of this. Could it be because I only had a small number of nodes removed, and they were all negative? Still, they were removed, and they outlawed all the other stuff for that arm. I've been using my regular antiperspirant since the surgery with no issues, but I'm going to bring that up at my next appointment.

    Seems I'm always learning something new from you great ladies. Thanks!

    I see my surgeon in September
    and I'm going to ask him too. If my surgeon says I can go back to antiperspirant I'll be happy. I'm having my 2nd chemo on Tuesday and rads are still debateable so I might have to wait.
    Char
  • filimu
    filimu Member Posts: 74
    #7
    cahjah75 said:

    I see my surgeon in September
    and I'm going to ask him too. If my surgeon says I can go back to antiperspirant I'll be happy. I'm having my 2nd chemo on Tuesday and rads are still debateable so I might have to wait.
    Char

    well,
    as most of you know, I was fortunate not to have either chemo or rads, so maybe that's why I didn't get that restriction from the doctor. But still, I'm going to find out.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #8
    breast cancer and antiperspirants
    Here is a post on ACS re antiperspirants and breast cancer: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/AtHome/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk

    Basically, there are no good studies supporting a link between antiperspirants and breast cancer. But if it makes you feel better to avoid one, do it.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #9
    teresa41 said:

    spray deodorant
    i have used secret spray deodorant since last may 2009 i had a lumpectomy on the left and this may 2010 i had a mastectomy on the right my dr told me it was fine to use it. i havent had any problems, but everyone is different. not sure if you have tried cornstarch but i used it during radiation when i could not use deodorant it helped with wet underarms .


    teresa

    I just wanted to add for
    I just wanted to add for anyone that is going to have radiation treatments that you can only use non aluminum deodorant, like Tom's from Maine.


    Hugs, Jan
  • Betsy13
    Betsy13 Member Posts: 185
    #10
    wanted to mention again...
    cornstarch. I heard one person say it. You can get a big fluffy loose face powder brush, put the cornstarch in a large container, dip in the brush, shake off the access, and dust away! Also, I used Tom's from Maine during treatment and am back to Ban now.

    Also, what about a powder like Shower-to-Shower?

    Good luck,
    Betsy
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #11
    My docs didn't mention
    My docs didn't mention either. ?? So I don't know. Guess I shouldn't have posted.
  • starseed
    starseed Member Posts: 62
    #12
    Natural deodorant
    I've used Tom's of Maine for many years and recently found Terra Naturals which I also like.They are paraben AND aluminum free. My rad person told me NO deodorant on the left side and I'm sure it's because most deodorants contain aluminum--which as a metal would more than likely screw up the rad treatment. Methylparaben does occur naturally as an anti-fungal which is probably why they put it in deodorants, but who knows what happens to it when it goes or comes from manufacturing. I just avoid anything that has any of the parabens as an ingredient.JMHO--but I think anti-perspirants are counter productive, because we NEED to sweat. I know wet underarms look nasty, and believe me I S-W-E-A-T like a pig.Although my mom would tell me "Horses SWEAT- men PERSPIRE- girls GLOW"...glow my butt--I SWEAT.Throughout my rad treatments I put deodorant on AFTER wards just "because" and for the treated area I used pure shea butter or pure coconut oil.
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #13
    What the nurse practioner said
    My nurse said the research hadn't shown that the aluminum based antipersperants caused problems but suggested that I not take a chance. She recommended a Thai Stick from the health food store. Walmarts sometimes carries them too. Apparently they are all the rage in Europe. They last almost forever (I'm going on 3 years on the first stick), cost about 3 bucks, and use a regular salt (but check with your doctor if this is okay during radiation. They usually want absolutely nothing during that time)to stop odor. She said folks nearing menapause don't stink like teenagers and sweating was good for a body. Also she mentioned that I probably don't sweat like a teen either. Seems to work and it sure costs less. And she was right about the sweating and stinking. The only weird part is that you use it with a sprinkly of water so it will roll on. I need the thai stick, but I can get by with just that and no more high priced chemicals. What's not to like?
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #14
    cabbott said:

    What the nurse practioner said
    My nurse said the research hadn't shown that the aluminum based antipersperants caused problems but suggested that I not take a chance. She recommended a Thai Stick from the health food store. Walmarts sometimes carries them too. Apparently they are all the rage in Europe. They last almost forever (I'm going on 3 years on the first stick), cost about 3 bucks, and use a regular salt (but check with your doctor if this is okay during radiation. They usually want absolutely nothing during that time)to stop odor. She said folks nearing menapause don't stink like teenagers and sweating was good for a body. Also she mentioned that I probably don't sweat like a teen either. Seems to work and it sure costs less. And she was right about the sweating and stinking. The only weird part is that you use it with a sprinkly of water so it will roll on. I need the thai stick, but I can get by with just that and no more high priced chemicals. What's not to like?

    Thanks for
    all the suggestions. Even though I'm 11 years post menopause I still SWEAT and SMELL. Post surgery I couldn't use even deodorant until I saw my surgeon 5 weeks later and I could smell myself. I like the cornstarch idea.
    Char
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #15
    I use 'Crystal'
    It's some kind of mineral stick, no alum, you have to wet it, then it goes on smoothly. I blow dry the pits and the brush on cornstarch. It's ok, not like my old anti-persperant, but with menopause, adimidex and hot flashes, it's ok.

    Just my 2 cents....

    Sue
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #16
    starseed said:

    Natural deodorant
    I've used Tom's of Maine for many years and recently found Terra Naturals which I also like.They are paraben AND aluminum free. My rad person told me NO deodorant on the left side and I'm sure it's because most deodorants contain aluminum--which as a metal would more than likely screw up the rad treatment. Methylparaben does occur naturally as an anti-fungal which is probably why they put it in deodorants, but who knows what happens to it when it goes or comes from manufacturing. I just avoid anything that has any of the parabens as an ingredient.JMHO--but I think anti-perspirants are counter productive, because we NEED to sweat. I know wet underarms look nasty, and believe me I S-W-E-A-T like a pig.Although my mom would tell me "Horses SWEAT- men PERSPIRE- girls GLOW"...glow my butt--I SWEAT.Throughout my rad treatments I put deodorant on AFTER wards just "because" and for the treated area I used pure shea butter or pure coconut oil.

    I was told that I could use
    I was told that I could use Tom's of Maine deodorant during rads, but, the rads actually kill the sweat glands, so, I didn't, nor do I now, need any deodorant under my arm where I got rads. The main thing was just to use a non aluminum deodorant and that was the only one I could find. Good luck.


    Lex♥
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #17
    suggested not using regular antipersperant or deo
    I have been using the Crystal, a Thai product, that I bought in Whole foods and available in health food stores. It was recommended by a few nurses. It lasts forever and appears to work best on the side of the surgery where there is less sweat. I used Tom's of Maine during rads and didn't find it effective or particulary good smelling.
    Hugs, K
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #18
    KayNYC said:

    suggested not using regular antipersperant or deo
    I have been using the Crystal, a Thai product, that I bought in Whole foods and available in health food stores. It was recommended by a few nurses. It lasts forever and appears to work best on the side of the surgery where there is less sweat. I used Tom's of Maine during rads and didn't find it effective or particulary good smelling.
    Hugs, K

    Thanks I'll
    check my local Whole Foods store regarding Crystal. I like using natural products but don't like sweating and especially smelling. I've been using Tom's of Maine apricot scent so it smells ok.
    Char
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #19
    cahjah75 said:

    Thanks I'll
    check my local Whole Foods store regarding Crystal. I like using natural products but don't like sweating and especially smelling. I've been using Tom's of Maine apricot scent so it smells ok.
    Char

    thanks for the info
    I haven't seen the Tom's of Maine apricot scent. The one I bought smelled something like pine going on but after a few hours it smelled like turpentine. Didn't know they had other scents. I will try to find it. The Crystal has no scent and does an ok job but after a work -out or vigorous activity, washing up immediately is a necessity. I can't stand the smell of BO.
    Hugs, K
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #20
    KayNYC said:

    thanks for the info
    I haven't seen the Tom's of Maine apricot scent. The one I bought smelled something like pine going on but after a few hours it smelled like turpentine. Didn't know they had other scents. I will try to find it. The Crystal has no scent and does an ok job but after a work -out or vigorous activity, washing up immediately is a necessity. I can't stand the smell of BO.
    Hugs, K

    I use Tom's in Apricot and
    I use Tom's in Apricot and love the Lavender one!
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #21
    KayNYC said:

    thanks for the info
    I haven't seen the Tom's of Maine apricot scent. The one I bought smelled something like pine going on but after a few hours it smelled like turpentine. Didn't know they had other scents. I will try to find it. The Crystal has no scent and does an ok job but after a work -out or vigorous activity, washing up immediately is a necessity. I can't stand the smell of BO.
    Hugs, K

    My Tom's didn't have a scent
    My Tom's didn't have a scent at all. So, I guess it was the unscented one. I didn't even know they had scents.

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