Page 65 - Retail Pharmacy Assistants - November 2020

It’s hard to imagine leaving the house without deodorant – it’s a staple for almost every person. It completes the outfit for the day and can leave you with confidence as you go out in public. However, at some point in time, I (like many others) came across ‘breaking news’ that aerosol deodorants are not only harmful to your health, but to the environment as well. Is it just a rumour that spray cans are the devil? In this month’s issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants magazine, we looked into it. Toxic rumours: True or false? One of the most alarming claims that some have made about aerosol cans is that there is a link between deodorant and breast cancer. Some people have said that certain chemicals in deodorants can be absorbed through the skin. It’s theorised that toxins will accumulate in the lymph nodes and change healthy cells into cancer cells. However, dermatologist at the Skin Health Institute, Melbourne, Associate Professor Rosemary Nixon debunks this, explaining that there were once harmful chemicals in deodorants but that this is no longer the case. The Australian Cancer Council WA website claims that there is insufficient evidence to support the belief that using antiperspirants/deodorants increases the risk of getting breast cancer or Alzheimer’s.1 Additionally, the American Cancer Society (ACS) states that the main risk related to using these products is that they can cause skin irritation if a razor nick or cut becomes infected.1 Associate Professor Nixon believes that there is only one aspect of aerosol deodorants that can impact a person’s health. “Occasionally, people can react to fragrances or perfumes in deodorants,” she said. Despite some people pointing fingers to the ingredient aluminium in terms of contributing to skin irritation, Associate Professor Nixon said: “It is fragrances or perfumes that cause contact dermatitis, not aluminium.” This aligns with research provided by US-based Penn Medicine, which say that the only people who need to be cautious of aluminium use in pharmacy products, are those with weakened kidneys.2 concern if you have kidney problems, especially if your kidney function is about 30 per cent or less,” said physician at Penn Family Medicine Phoenixville, Benjamin Chan DO, published on the Penn Medicine website.2 SKIN FIX 63 that the man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in the air conditioning, aerosol, foam blowing, and refrigeration industries were responsible for an apparent thinning of the ozone layer.4 The aerosol industry responded by phasing out its use of these CFCs and shifting to non-ozone depleting natural hydrocarbons.4 The Australian industry voluntarily ceased its use of CFC propellants before the end of 1989.4 The phasing out of CFCs was given legislative force in Commonwealth and State legislation. There are penalties for those who sell, manufacture or import aerosols containing CFCs unless they have a special exemption.4 Overall As technology has evolved and knowledge has increased, the aerosol deodorant has progressed into a safer, more user-friendly hygiene product. Associate Professor Nixon believes that there is no need to look for an alternative to deodorants, as they are much safer than previously. References: 1. Cancer myth: Deodorants and breast cancer, 2020. Cancer Council WA. Available online at: cancerwa.asn.au/resources/cancermyths/ deodorants-breast-myth/ \\\\\\\[Accessed on 15.10.2020\\\\\\\]. 2. Is Deodorant Harmful for Your Health?, 2019. Penn Medicine. Available online at: pennmedicine. org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/june/ deodorant \\\\\\\[Accessed on 15.10.2020\\\\\\\]. 3. Antiperspirants and Deodorants, 1999. Cosmetic Science and Technology Series/Volume 20. Available online at: https://books.google.com.au/bo oks?hl=en&lr=&id=n0FZDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA 1&dq=aerosol+deodorant+harmful&ots=vZHWglLW 6h&sig=rRmouKPy_ZcX1-VON0Vbf5FSxRw&redir_ esc=y#v=onepage&q=aerosol%20deodorant%20 harmful&f=false \\\\\\\[Accessed on 14.10.202\\\\\\\]. 4. Environmental Facts, N/A. Aerosol Association of Australia. Available online at: aerosol.com.au/ about-aerosols/environmental-facts \\\\\\\[Accessed on 15.10.2020\\\\\\\]. Deodorant back in time The formats in which deodorant comes in, nowadays, is extensive to say the least. We have aerosols, pump sprays, squeeze sprays, creams, roll-ons, deodorant sticks, antiperspirant solids, soft solids, gels and more. A trip down memory lane shows that the first commercial product for specific underarm use was Mum deodorant – a waxy based containing zinc oxide, a weak antimicrobial agent.3 One hundred and ten years later, the Mum brand name still exists as a trademark Bristol-Myers.3 The first antiperspirant appeared in 1903 under the brand name ‘Everdry’, which was an aqueous alcoholic solution of aluminium chloride.3 The product was applied by wetting a cotton ball with the product and dabbing it under the arms.3 Oh no, can it ruin the ozone? In terms of environmental impact, information provided by the Aerosol Association of Australia corroborates with Associate Professor Nixon’s sentiments, that aerosols no longer contain the ingredients that impact the ozone layer. It states on its website that in the early 1970s, US scientists expressed concern “Aluminium might be of greater RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • NOV 2020