Are Antiperspirants Safe? Shedding Light on the Distribution of Aluminum Compounds in Sweat Glands

Abstract

The safety of antiperspirants has been a subject of intense debate, with conflicting perspectives and research findings. This study aimed to contribute to the discussion by investigating the distribution of aluminum chloride (AlCl3), a common ingredient in antiperspirants, within the sweat glands. We enrolled a total of 10 patients seeking surgery for bromhidrosis in our study. Before surgery, we instructed the study participants to apply a specially formulated AlCl3 staining antiperspirant to their underarms using a surgical pen with ink that resists easy removal. We excised the apocrine glands, fragmented them finely, and examined them microscopically. We did not detect any stained aluminum compounds. These results are consistent with previous research, which suggests that aluminum compounds do not enter the apocrine glands. Consequently, concerns regarding the potential absorption of aluminum into the human body appear to be unfounded, particularly regarding cancer risks such as breast cancer.