Making the switch to natural deodorant is a big step for your armpits. But we won't lie - there is a transition period lovingly referred to as an armpit detox.
We promise that the rewards of sticking through the detox period will far outweigh any stank you endure. So, let's see exactly what you can expect when making the switch to aluminum-free deodorant.
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Quick Glance
- Week 1: Your body will start to purge the aluminum from your antiperspirant
- Week 2: You'll sweat and smell more due to the bacteria that's been backed up in your sweat ducts
- Week 3: Your body will start to find its new normal as your natural deodorant begins to neutralize bacteria
- Week 4: Your body will have established its new equilibrium
- Week 5: You'll wonder why you made a big fuss about transitioning to natural deodorant in the first place
Week 1: The pores in your sweat glands will begin to unclog
During the first week of your adjustment period, your armpits will still have some residual aluminum in them. After all, the aluminum salts in an antiperspirant aredesigned to clog your pores and keep you from sweating.
So don't be surprised if you don't sweat or smell at all during this first week. Your sweat ducts will still be shedding aluminum from their pores.
But everyone's body is different, and it may take longer for some to process these aluminum chemicals faster than others. Luckily, this means you don't have to worry just yet about body odor.
Just keep applying your natural deodorant
As you apply your new aluminum-free deodorant, make sure you keep a close eye on your underarm area. You don't want to see any redness, burning, itching, or rashes under your arms.
And if you do, then you should stop using that natural deodorant immediately. These types of reactions can be caused by certain natural ingredients that your body simply isn't used to.
If you know you have sensitive skin to begin with, choose a natural deodorant without synthetic fragrances, baking soda, essential oils, or other ingredients like alcohol.
Week 2: Your underarms will start to sweat out toxins during the detox period
During the second week of your detox, you'll start to notice a bit more sweat. By now, your sweat glands will have cleared away any leftover aluminum.
So your body will now start to regulate its own heat by ridding of small toxins through sweat. At this point, there will be backed-up acids in your sweat making their way to your skin's surface.
Such acids will produce body odor. But don't be surprised if this body odor is different from your normal stink.
At this stage in the detox phase, you will smell worse
As your body adjusts to your new deodorant, you will be going through a couple of different processes. First, your sweat glands will be purging any toxins from your system.
And second, your underarms will also be recalibrating their balance of microscopic organisms. In plain terms, your pits are just trying to find their new normal.
But this can lead to more odor-causing bacteria along the way. In these first few weeks, feel free to reapply your natural deodorant throughout the day as needed.
Bonus: How To Make A Compost Pile
Week 3: Your underarms will still try to rebalance the body's natural sweating process
By the third week of your detox from antiperspirants, your body will still be sweating. But just know that this is completely normal.
Some folks who make the switch to a natural deodorant can't believe they're still sweating up a storm by week three. But switching to an aluminum deodorant is a lot for your body to take in.
At this point, you'll definitely want to wear breathable clothes with natural fabrics if you haven't already. Just keep applying your natural deodorant - once after you shower, then however many times you need it throughout the day.
But your body odor should calm down
Luckily, the odor-causing bacteria will have died down by now. Common ingredients found in many natural deodorants like coconut oil and shea butter will help you absorb sweat.
But more importantly, they'll do an amazing job at reducing body odor. While week two might have been the worst of the odor-causing bacteria, many users making the switch to natural deodorant find week three the hardest.
Just stick through this part of the transition period. It may feel disconcerting at times, but we promise you'll appreciate the big difference it makes when switching to natural deodorant.
Week 4: Your body returns to its natural process
You made it to week four! The worst part is over!
By now, your body will have purged any and all aluminum. You may still sweat slightly, but not nearly as much as you did during the last two weeks of your transition period.
Many users who were accustomed to no sweat at all while using antiperspirants forget that the body is meant to sweat. So natural vegan deodorants aren't going to stop you from sweating as an antiperspirant does.
Instead, an aluminum-free deodorant will absorb wetness and excess moisture, and neutralize any harmful bacteria that would otherwise make you smell.
Week 5: And your deodorant detox is complete!
By week five, you'll hardly remember what it was like using an antiperspirant. You'll be too in love with your new aluminum-free deodorant.
Sure, it took five full weeks for your body to fully adjust. But the rewards of using an aluminum-free deodorant far outweigh the consequences of using an antiperspirant.
Keep Reading: How Exactly Does Natural Deodorant Work?
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