Deodorant VS Antiperspirant
The Subconscious Fat of Each
I’ll use the 30,000 ft view today to show what Chat GPT says about the pros and cons of using deodorant vs. antiperspirants.
Mr. Skeptical remarks, “Why can’t you do your own research? Why use Chat GPT?”
“Because a lot of people are using Chat GPT, like everybody, and if I’m going to put out information to help our readers, I want to offer them something more valuable than just looking it up on Chat GPT.”
“Do our readers need to know that you used Chat GPT?”
“Perhaps not, but I see myself as Hermann Diehl the Real Deal. This newsletter is transparent, with no sneaky stuff.” (How we view our names greatly impact our lives. See the April 27th post titled Murdaugh and Murder Rhyme The Subconscious Fat of our Names)
Mr. Skeptical laughs sarcastically! I didn’t know someone could do that so well. He comments between his giggles, “I think you’re Hermann Diehl, the real bullshitter!”
Thoughts of torturing Mr. Skeptical surface, I suppress them, like pushing a volleyball under water.
Let’s move on, shall we.
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 feet
Deodorant:
Pros:
1 Odor control: Deodorants are specifically designed to combat body odor by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria. They often contain antimicrobial agents that neutralize the smell.
2 Variety of scents: Deodorants come in a wide range of scents, allowing individuals to choose their preferred fragrance.
3 Gentle on the skin: Deodorants are generally milder and less likely to cause skin irritation or allergies compared to antiperspirants.
4 Non-blocking of sweat glands: Deodorants do not contain ingredients that block sweat glands, allowing the body to naturally regulate its temperature and release toxins.
Cons:
1 Limited sweat control: Deodorants do not reduce the amount of sweat produced by the body, so they may not be as effective for individuals who experience excessive sweating.
2 Temporary odor control: While deodorants help control body odor, their effects may diminish over time, requiring reapplication throughout the day.
3 Potential staining: Some deodorants contain ingredients that can leave residue or stains on clothing, especially when applied excessively or in large amounts.
4 Not suitable for heavy physical activity: If you engage in intense physical activities or sports, deodorants may not provide sufficient sweat control, leading to increased perspiration and odor.
Antiperspirant:
Pros:
1 Sweat reduction: Antiperspirants contain aluminum-based compounds that temporarily block sweat glands, reducing the amount of perspiration produced.
2 Long-lasting effects: Antiperspirants provide extended protection against sweating and odor, often lasting throughout the day or longer.
3 No need for frequent reapplication: Due to their sweat-blocking properties, antiperspirants generally require fewer reapplications compared to deodorants.
4 Potential stain prevention: Some antiperspirants contain ingredients that can help prevent sweat stains on clothing by reducing the amount of perspiration that reaches the fabric.
Cons:
1 Potential skin irritation: Antiperspirants may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, especially in individuals with sensitive skin. This is mainly due to the aluminum compounds present in the formulation.
2 Limited scent options: Unlike deodorants, antiperspirants typically have a limited range of scents, as the focus is primarily on sweat control.
3 Sweat gland blockage: Antiperspirants temporarily block sweat glands, which may interfere with the body’s natural thermoregulation process.
4 Aluminum concerns: Some people express concerns about the potential health effects of aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants, although scientific studies have not provided conclusive evidence of harm.
It’s important to note that individual preferences and body chemistry can play a significant role in determining which product works best for each person. Some individuals may find that a combination of deodorant and antiperspirant, or using them alternately, meets their specific needs.
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 feet
I limit my use of antiperspirants.
“Why? Because of what Chat GPT says?” Mr. Skeptical makes an ugly face. It seems he’s not a fan of Chat GPT, which makes me want to use it more.
“Because antiperspirant uses aluminum which blocks your armpits from sweating, which seems unnatural.”
“But if it were bad for you, then wouldn’t it be illegal to use?”
“There have been studies linking aluminum deodorant with cancer, but these studies haven’t been obvious. And it’s challenging to know if the studies were influenced or not by corporations, which sell antiperspirant.”
“Well, it can’t be that bad. A lot of people use it every day.”
“Sure. Everybody can make their own decisions. However, did you know that in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration classifies deodorants as cosmetics but puts antiperspirants under the category of over-the-counter-drugs?”
“Hmmm, interesting, so how does this relate to you personally?”
“Well, I order Lume brand deodorant, an aluminum-free deodorant that works for me.”
“Do you have an affiliation with Lume?”
“Nope. I order and pay for it like anyone else. However, I have another brand of backup deodorant and antiperspirant. I recently ran out of Lume, and while waiting for my next shipment, I had to use the other brand, which didn’t work very well.”
“Yeah, you look like you stink. I have noticed a funny smell in the air. Are you sure you’re not French?”
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
I stare daggers at him while he twitches his nose. He adds, “The above picture makes me think of you straining at the toilet.”
“No. That’s a face I’d make when smelling something awful.”
Mr. Skeptical’s eyes squint, and he folds his arms across his chest. “Really? So, you know exactly the face you’d make if you smelled something nasty?”
“That’s a face I think I’d make. Our readers get the point. If I use the other deodorant brand, I must be careful not to sweat.”
“Yes, please. The last thing we want to see is that straining face of yours. Spare us.”
I sigh and continue, trying to ignore him. “I ride an e-bike to work in hot Miami weather. The other day I noticed someone got close to me, and her face showed disgust. I smelled myself, and sure enough, I stunk. So, I applied antiperspirant.”
“This is getting into the TMI (Too Much Information) category.”
“But it doesn’t end there.”
“Or no. You’re going to continue to make this awkward?”
“Yes. I continued using the antiperspirant for a few days and noticed something else.”
“Uggh, I don’t want to know.”
“I noticed that my groin area smelled worse.”
Mr. Skeptical puts his hand on his forehead, looking down and shaking his head. “I don’t want to hear anymore.”
“But think about it?”
“I don’t want to think about it.”
“If we stop our armpits from releasing our nature sweat, there’s a price to pay. We may release more sweaty odors through other areas of the body. Doesn’t this make sense?”
“What should make sense is me telling you I don’t want to hear anymore.”
“First of all, I don’t care if what I’m saying bothers you. In fact, if it does, good. I find joy in irritating you.” I can’t help myself; I’m smiling.
“Just remember, paybacks are a bitch.”
“You might think all this information is TMI, but some of our readers may not.”
“Yeah, one out of a thousand.”
“Chat GPT even agreed that using antiperspirant can make you sweat more in other areas. Of course, the body will adapt and compensate. It’s simply the innate intelligence of the body doing its thing.”
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
Using deodorant over anti-perspirant will require you to carry a deodorant stick to reapply frequently. It’s what I do.
Chat GPT also said,
Some studies have reported finding higher levels of aluminum in breast tissue samples from women with breast cancer compared to those without the disease.
The above statement is enough for me to use deodorant over antiperspirant. However, whether aluminum causes cancer is secondary; maybe it doesn’t at all. Maybe it increases the odds just a little. However, perspiration gets rid of toxins, and when you can’t sweat from your underarms, you may not release all the toxins your body needs to, or you will sweat and smell more from another area. So, is it worth it?
Nevertheless, I use antiperspirant on occasion when I know I’m going to sweat a lot and won’t have deodorant handy. Using a tang top or sleeveless shirt will make you sweat and stink quicker.
When in doubt, smell yourself. Hopefully, you haven’t gone nose-blind to your own funky scent. Be aware of your body odor.
👏👏 very educative and as always super fun! Thank you