When it comes to the debate over antiperspirants/deodorants, the jury is still out. I have mentioned a variety of studies that tend to point towards a link between aluminum and both breast cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. However, there are other studies that show no link. That is the frustrating part - there is no consensus. However, my belief is that just because it hasn't been proven to cause harm does not mean it is truly safe or inconsequential. That is where we must each make a choice based on the evidence that we do have, and by using logic and reason. There is enough information on this subject to make me doubt the safety of aluminum and parabens.
So what are the options in terms of dealing with underarm sweat? Well, if you sweat only mildly, maybe you just avoid products with aluminum and parabens. If you experience moderate to excessive sweating, there are many options, although not necessarily many good options. If you eliminate antiperspirants from the equation, you are left with the following: no treatment (meaning you use nothing, other than paraben-free deodorants to try to mask odor, but doing nothing to treat actual sweating); Botox, to temporarily stop sweating (this treatment can last between 2 and 8 months, although I have had patients who tried this and felt it did not help at all, and I have seen patients whose sweating was worse after the Botox wore off); medications, such as a class of drugs called anticholinergics (these have never been directly studied for hyperhidrosis/excessive underarm sweating, nor have they been FDA approved for this use - plus they have a range of unpleasant side effects including dry mouth, constipation, blurry vision); for more severe sweating problems there are surgical options, including local underarm surgery (liposuction, curettage, and laser techniques - these have potential surgical complications, and outcomes that vary widely) and more invasive surgery such as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, wherein the nerve pathways inside the chest wall are cut to disrupt the passage of signals that lead to sweating (this is a permanent surgery that is risky and often leads to increased sweating in other parts of the body); and finally iontophoresis, using devices that produce a mild electrical current to inhibit sweat glands (this is a process that initially requires treatment every couple of days for 10 sessions, then maintenance once every week or two).
In addition, the newest treatment is something called miraDry, using microwaves to eliminate sweat glands and provide a long-lasting treatment. We have been performing this procedure for over 2 years with great success. Patients who have had 2 treatments tend to have an average of about 85% reduction in their underarm sweating, per the company's FDA trial, and we have seen similar results within our practice. For more info, go to www.miradry.com . Also, check out our website at www.gomend.com . This is a therapy that offers a lasting result with little to no down time and few transient side effects. I am a fan, as I personally underwent the procedure and can vouch for its efficacy. I have been thrilled with the huge reduction in my underarm sweat, plus I no longer have to use antiperspirants every day! Feel free to ask me any questions, as I am both a patient and a provider.