Is Deodorant compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Deodorant?

Deodorant

January 24, 2017 (Low Risk)

Cosmetic products to fight the bad smelling of sweat (deodorant) or prevent perspiration (antiperspirant).
They may contain alcohol, aluminum, sodium or magnesium (talc) salts, bactericides such as triclosan, perfumes and fragrances such as various synthetic musks, phthalates (BBP, DBP, DEHP, DEP), bisphenol A (BPA), parabens, glycerin , Allantoin, waxes, dimethicone and other emollients, emulsifiers and excipients.

In addition to polluting the environment, several of these compounds are endocrine disruptors, some with estrogenic capacity (Lange 2014) with abundant controversy about its carcinogenic capability.

Transcutaneous absorption is possibly very limited, but triclosan, parabens and synthetic musk have been found in breast milk related to the use of deodorants (Reiner 2007, Potera 2007, Wang 2011, Zhang 2011, Toms 2011, Yin 2012, Zhang 2015, Hines 2015).

Health authorities and some authors (Food & Drug Administration, National Cancer Institute, Namer 2008) consider that despite adverse effects of deodorants on health, more specifically a relationship with cancer, have not been proven yet (Mirick 2002, Allam 2016), further research is needed on clarifying whether deodorant compounds may accumulate in breast tissue and can be a cause of illness (Darbre 2005, NCI 2008, Allam 2016). Some authors believe that the aluminum content in deodorants should be restrained (Pineal 2014).

Although there are no scientific reports to prove it, experts believe that perfume contained in deodorants could alter the olfactory ability of recognition in the newborn and infant which is important on the process of latching-on the breast (AEP Breastfeeding Committee, 2012).

Until more information is available, a moderate use of the deodorant may be advisable during breastfeeding, avoiding those containing bisphenol, parabens and fragrance or excessive perfume, and do not apply them close to the breast and/or on the breast to prevent them being ingested by the infant.

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Deodorant.

Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Synonyms

  • Antitranspirant
  • Underarm antiperspirants

References

  1. Allam MF. Breast Cancer and Deodorants/Antiperspirants: a Systematic Review. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2016Abstract
  2. Iwegbue CM. Evaluation of Human Exposure to metals from some popular brands of underarm cosmetics in Nigeria. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015Abstract
  3. Homem V, Silva E, Alves A, Santos L. Scented traces--Dermal exposure of synthetic musk fragrances in personal care products and environmental input assessment. Chemosphere. 2015Abstract
  4. Zhang X, Jing Y, Ma L, Zhou J, Fang X, Zhang X, Yu Y. Occurrence and transport of synthetic musks in paired maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, and breast milk. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2015Abstract
  5. Hines EP, Mendola P, von Ehrenstein OS, Ye X, Calafat AM, Fenton SE. Concentrations of environmental phenols and parabens in milk, urine and serum of lactating North Carolina women. Reprod Toxicol. 2015Abstract
  6. Pineau A, Fauconneau B, Sappino AP, Deloncle R, Guillard O. If exposure to aluminium in antiperspirants presents health risks, its content should be reduced. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2014Abstract
  7. Lange C, Kuch B, Metzger JW. Estrogenic activity of constituents of underarm deodorants determined by E-Screen assay. Chemosphere. 2014Abstract
  8. Parlett LE, Calafat AM, Swan SH. Women's exposure to phthalates in relation to use of personal care products. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2013Abstract
  9. Lewis RC, Meeker JD, Peterson KE, Lee JM, Pace GG, Cantoral A, Téllez-Rojo MM. Predictors of urinary bisphenol A and phthalate metabolite concentrations in Mexican children. Chemosphere. 2013Abstract
  10. Comité de Lactancia Materna AEP. Preguntas frecuentes sobre lactancia materna. Folleto. 2012 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. Yin J, Wang H, Zhang J, Zhou N, Gao F, Wu Y, Xiang J, Shao B. The occurrence of synthetic musks in human breast milk in Sichuan, China. Chemosphere. 2012Abstract
  12. Darbre PD, Pugazhendhi D, Mannello F. Aluminium and human breast diseases. J Inorg Biochem. 2011Abstract
  13. Toms LM, Allmyr M, Mueller JF, Adolfsson-Erici M, McLachlan M, Murby J, Harden FA. Triclosan in individual human milk samples from Australia. Chemosphere. 2011Abstract
  14. Wang H, Yin J, Zhang J, Wu Y, Shao B. [Occurrence of synthetic musks in human milk samples collected from Beijing]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2011Abstract
  15. Zhang X, Liang G, Zeng X, Zhou J, Sheng G, Ful J. Levels of synthetic musk fragrances in human milk from three cities in the Yangtze River Delta in Eastern China. J Environ Sci (China). 2011Abstract
  16. Allmyr M, Harden F, Toms LM, Mueller JF, McLachlan MS, Adolfsson-Erici M, Sandborgh-Englund G. The influence of age and gender on triclosan concentrations in Australian human blood serum. Sci Total Environ. 2008Abstract
  17. Namer M, Luporsi E, Gligorov J, Lokiec F, Spielmann M. [The use of deodorants/antiperspirants does not constitute a risk factor for breast cancer]. Bull Cancer. 2008Abstract
  18. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Antitranspirantes o desodorantes y el cáncer de seno. Hoja informativa. 2008 Full text (in our servers)
  19. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer. Fact Sheet. 2008 Full text (in our servers)
  20. Reiner JL, Wong CM, Arcaro KF, Kannan K. Synthetic musk fragrances in human milk from the United States. Environ Sci Technol. 2007Abstract
  21. Potera C. The sweet scent on baby's breath? Environ Health Perspect. 2007Abstract
  22. Hubinger JC, Havery DC. Analysis of consumer cosmetic products for phthalate esters. J Cosmet Sci. 2006Abstract
  23. Reiner JL, Kannan K. A survey of polycyclic musks in selected household commodities from the United States. Chemosphere. 2006Abstract
  24. Schettler T. Human exposure to phthalates via consumer products. Int J Androl. 2006Abstract
  25. Darbre PD. Aluminium, antiperspirants and breast cancer. J Inorg Biochem. 2005Abstract
  26. Koo HJ, Lee BM. Estimated exposure to phthalates in cosmetics and risk assessment. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2004Abstract
  27. Guillard O, Fauconneau B, Olichon D, Dedieu G, Deloncle R. Hyperaluminemia in a woman using an aluminum-containing antiperspirant for 4 years. Am J Med. 2004Abstract
  28. Mirick DK, Davis S, Thomas DB. Antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2002Abstract