Bionsen

Great information - hopefully would be usefull in all aspect, i think you have done great effort for writing this Thanks - i will edit and use it in my health shop site www.healthshopuk.co.uk

health advisor, london

Hi Ian,

Yes you are right both men and women do use Bionsen products. As women are more likely to get breast cancer than men we are wanting more woman to understand the association with Aluminium in deodorants. However, men can very much use the product as well, as the product is hypoallergenic and especially good for sensitive skin. We have found that men really like the smell of it too! We are really pleased you like the product. Thanks for your comment. Enjoy!

The Bionsen Team, Manchester

Why is this product only marketed towards women ? I have found at the moment it is one of the only products I can now use without my skin flaring up in a rash. Too much alcohol and aluminium in other \"male\" orintated products I feel. Not good for us at all, whatever the sex.

Ian Allen, Milton Keynes

I always had a gut feeling anti perspirants were bad news. It's just logical you don't go against nature like that, but used it throughout my early adulthood Then I got breast cancer at the age of 43. In every other way I ticked all the boxes NOT to be a candidate. I have not used the stuff since.

rosalind, Northampton

Sweating is part of our natural detoxing system, so to stop the sweating process surely can't be a smart move? Sanex are now making a natural deodorant based on alum, and it works.

Koshka, Bodmin

I suffer from extreme sweating and I've tried every deoderant/anti-perspirant under the sun. The only thing that keeps me dry is Mitchum. I am very in to my 'natural' things, eating organic food, using natural products, but I feel I have no other option I'm afraid, otherwise I would have big sweat marks on my clothes.

Angie Wilkie, Edinburgh

I couldn't possibly go back to synthetic products after being clean of them (inside and out) for so long. That goes for all cosmetics, ick - all that petroleum and cheap synthetics feel horrid to me now. How can you possibly improve on nature? I'm certain you can't. So, be brave, make the switch and have some respect for yourself and your planet.

Becci, Kent

I've tried Bionsen and I ended up going back to anti-perspirants. I ended up smelling too much. It's no good for people who have to commute on the underground,

Vicky, London

I stopped using deodorants years ago after my mum died of breast cancer and she had used them all her life. If nothing else it cant be good to suppress perspiration let alone allowing aluminium into warm open pores.

Jacky Penryn, Penryn

I don' believe Parabens (natural or synthetic) cause cancer as they are used is face cosmetics too. Why don't more women/men have face cancer? I believe it is the alcohol in these products that go some way to \"sparking up\" people's genes into producing cancerous cells if they are already predisposed to this in familial gene pools.

Suzanne, Maidstone

I beleive the person that gave up with the fact that deodorant causes breast cancer might be right because when I use deodorant everyday it causes my armpits to develop lumps but after a few days they go away.

AKEEL KHAN, birmingham

No, those substances don't cause breast cancer . There are many causes as hormonal , genetical, alimentation, viral, etc

elena, oradea

There are literally dozens of either completely natural or almost completely natural alternatives to almost every product available these days - washing, cleaning, personal hygiene, body and hair care, baby stuff, cosmetic products, sun protection - the lot. Any decent health shop will sell a good range, of the more major supermarkets Waitrose are pretty good at stocking at least one or two alternatives to the 'big names' and on the high street Holland & Barrett have a decent range of teeth, skin and hair care alternatives. The internet is awash with 'natural' product-stocking websites where you can get everything from deodorant and eco loo cleaner to natural sun protection via lipstick, body cream, hair dye and everything in between. The stuff is out there and available if you want it. It's about forming a new mindset, seeing things from a different point of view, being prepared to change, work hard at seeking out new, better stuff and being strong enough to ignore all the advertising we drown in every day in order to find a happier, cleaner, healthier - and more natural - way to live. It's perfectly possible (and doesn't have to be even slightly 'hair shirt' these days) you just have to want to make a different choice.

Greeny, Dorchester

I have found if you drink the recommended amount of water/juice you should not need these products as the water washes away the toxins that make you smell. I don't like anti-perspirants or using lots of different chemicals on my skin and I have a deodrant that does not contain it if I feel I need to wear it. There are some shops that give you a choice and then there is the alternative therapy products. Try online.

Tracy Bodenham, Wakefield

I heard about the link between anti-perspirants and breast cancer in 2000 or earlier via a viral e-mail campaign. Although I wasn't convinced by the source, as a long-term user of Mitchum for my \"industrial-strength\" armpits I did think it made sense that preventing perspiration probably isn't very good for you.

I haven't used anti-perspirant products since then and have tried a wide range of natural or chemical free deodorants including Bionsen, Tom's of Maine, Lush bars and most recently Decleor.

I do have to consider my choice of clothes based on weather, environment and how much I am likely to sweat. I buy mostly natural fabrics and if they are close-fitting I pick dark colours. On really hot days I carry a small pack of wet wipes to freshen up now and again. Otherwise I don't think it makes much impact on your lifestyle to make the switch. If you're too vain to make small changes to possibly benefit your health then that's up to you... personally I try to strike a balance and I see avoiding anti-perspirants and chemical-laden cosmetics to be as sensible as not using sunbeds.

Sarah, Huddersfield

Even if the evidence is inconclusive, the doubt has been raised. If it's been possible to produce an effective underarm product without aluminium or parabens, then why continue to include them? Aluminium- and paraben-free products seem widely available in the US, but are very expensive in health shops in the UK. Please make them more widely available - and above all, affordable! If they're \"natural\", can't they be cheaper? Thank you.

Emma , London

I've never really liked anti-perspirants but, sadly , as you get older you seem to persprire more and become more smelly. But my main concern is the possible harm of breathing them in. Can't see how that can be healthy.
So my preference is for roll-ons.

Pat Morris, Walton on the Naze

It is Anti-perspirants that I am warry of, not just deoderant. Body sprays are just perfumes so a quick spritz of them shouldnt hurt, but we were made to naturally perspire. Theres nothing wrong with trying to cover up the smell that sweating eventually leaves, but should we prevent our bodies from doing what comes naturally. There are alternatives to Anti-perspirants, but you really have to look for them. I have found these crystals in a spray bottle that you can use, completely natural and harmless, you just add water and they eventually dissolve - lasts for ages so economical too. Also, unlike aerasols, they are environmentally friendly and cruelty free. You can find them and other alternatives in the high street - but ask shop assisstants and let them no you want a non Anti-perspirant deodorant!

Lydia Smith, Oswestry Shropshire

ok the truth is I don't know if anti perspirant can cause cancer. But what I am sure of is that they make my armpit uncomfortable, reallydry and itchy, even painful at times. I don't sweat very much antway - unless if I workout hard - it is only the smell of sweat that annoys me. So I have tried Bionsen and was amazed. It smells nice all day and doen't hurt! so I think I have adopted it for now.

Stephanie, Manchester UK

There is nothing wrong about perspiring, it enables the body to cool down by sweating a bit. So what... it doesn't always smell nice, but that is because we fail to keep ourselves clean. Bacteria develop in the sweat and make us smell, during a long stressful day at work. Well, the solution would be to clean ourselves and maybe change our tops. But this is not part of our routine you see, we have no time for that, we are too busy working at fast pace, with machines, pcs, cars... we forgot we were human after all and want to be perfect images smelling like roses 24/7. Anyway, just to say that we should welcome the idea that perspiring means that we are alive and functioning properly. I think it is not right to block pores, it is not right to stop the natural process of perspiration. Using anti-perspirant to stop perspiration day in day out cannot be good in the long term. It is against nature. Imagine if you were stopping breathing suddenly... well I know perspiring is not exactly that vital but... maybe it is after all!

stephanie , Manchester uk

I have lived a healthy natural and organic life and stil managed to get Breast Cancer, its a lottery i think and stress can play a great role in cancer, we all have the gene its what triggers it off. ???

janis, St. Albans

Eventhough it`s not proven jet, if antiperspirants have an efective role in getting breast cancer or not, I don`t wanna take a risk, so I stopped using antiperspirants... now I use Bionsen deodorant (roll-on), as it`s the only product in my country, which doesn`t have any aluminium salts. But I`m stil not sure what are the so called : Ammonium Alum*, Copper PCA*, Manganese PCA*; which are ingredients of bionsen products. So I would appreciate, if anyone could explain their role...

Tina...

Tina, Ljubljana

Personally I am not sure one way or the other but I think the possibility definintely deserves more research. When you think of the numbers who use deodorant and how many people develop cancer I would think it unlikely - but why take the risk? I think that women giving birth and not breastfeeding their offspring is a more likely cause of breast cancer and a definite link has been proven for that particluar equation I believe. And there are obviously other causes too such as lifestyle and the links mentioned below such as HRT and the Pill. It is best to keep everything as natural as you possibly can but it is very difficult in this chemically obsessed society.

Alison, Watford

Parabens raise hormone levels in the body. I stopped using all products with parabens in. My body, as it was flushing them out gave me the feeling i get at the start of my monthly cycle. I beleive this was my estrogen levels dropping as if i were going to menstrate. I no longer use anything on my skin that i could not eat. I now realise how much we absorb through the skin. All the additives in the various products add up, i don`t think the body is meant to be bombarded or block up. It upsets the natural balance of the body.

Anna, Norwich

Yes they say that there is no link between deodorant and breast cancer, but they say also that there is no proven link between HRT,birth control pills and breast Cancer.But I would bet that there is many links to breast cancer that is NOT proven.Until they have proof that these things are not dangerous then I won't be using them.
I used HRT and birth control pills for many years and guess who got breast cancer ???? ME
So I won't be using deodorant and any kind of perfumed products for my skin. If you can't eat---then don't put it on your skin,b/c everything that is put on your skin is absorbed.
Hugs Shirley

smdittmer@gmil.com, Shirley

NO! This is not a question for debate, where opinions matter, mine or anyone else's. This is a scientific question. The answer depends on empirical research, not opinion. In case anyone's interested, a recent review of research in this area found no evidence of a link between deodorants and breast cancer.

Rachel, Cambridgeshire

I became very concerned about anti perspirant deodorants after reading some similar research about 2 years ago - I tried switching to various organic products but found none effective against sweat. I really hate the wet patch look especially at work. Around this time my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been receiving treatment ever since. She has, since her late teens been vegan, uses only organic body products, never smoked or drunk alcohol to excess - so I think that goes to show cancer is a lottery it can stike any one at any time. I don't suggest we live life excessively but there must be more to it than deodorants.

Gretchen, Loughton

I get really irritated by all of these 'breathing can cause cancer' stories that break out from time to time and usually just roll my eyes and ignore them, but looking at the research I am a bit worried now. I'm just not sure enough has been done to prove things one way OR the other. Having said this, I am nervous about trying something like Bionsen. I'm scared of sweat and smelling bad. Maybe I'll buy some and post a review here later. Sweat has to be better than breast cancer, right?!

Denise, Doncaster

Consumers have a right to know what they are putting onto and into their body and to be made aware of possible side effects so that they can make an informed choice when choosing a product . The \" Do not use on broken or irritated skin\" warning printed on anti-perspirants is misleading as many of us would take it to mean that it may sting if you do as opposed to the possible dangers of that product being absorbed into their body!

LISA E SANDERS, Derby

I don't know about the breast cancer risks but I do know that most anti-perspirants cause me to have dry, sore, itching armpits. Sometimes the problem spreads down my side onto my ribs. That can't be good. I'm not usually allergic to other things. Now I know about this I will make sure that my wife and daughters use bionsen products.

steve, chesterfield

I have not used anti-perspirants since I was 17 when I developed an abcess on my underarm. I have managed without them so far and take care to shower regularly.

jennifer, york

I have not used anti-perspirants since I was 17 when I developed an abcess on my underarm. I have managed without them so far and take care to shower regularly.

jennifer, york

Everyone should know and understand that ANYTHING you put on your skin, is absorbed into your body.
If you can't eat it,then don't put it on your skin. That's how skin patches works and many other meds. (Estrogen patches)
Hugs Shirley

Shirley, Mt. Savage

Anything natural must surely be better than pumping any further chemicals into our bodies.

Richard, Wrexham

I think it is the environment you live in contributes to breast cancer for example living nar a chemical plant.

Louise, Barnsley Yorkshire

i believe there is a link and willnot use deordants that contain aluminium , as a high risk family i think further investigate is warranted.

karen lee, nottingham

If I use any kind of deodrant, my underarms gets a hard knot under them. Also I can't use any kind of body powder under my arms.I have tryed almost everything I can find and still can't use them. I have started to mix baking soda with warm water in a spray bottle and spray that under my arms. It works Ok.
I had breast cancer and surgery but this this swelling from deoderant started long before that. It was probably the begining of the cancer when it started swelling under my arm.
I also used HRT for several years and birth control pills too.
I sure hope they find out what is causing the cancer !
Shirley

Shirley, Mt. Savage

Weather or not they cause brest Cancer is not known, however it is clear that Aluminium, Parapbens and many other chemicals in these products should not be absorbed by humans. Clearly having a daily dose of synthetics and metal is not a great idea. People can stay smelling fresh by using any number of the non-harsh chemical containing deoderants - like 'Toms', 'pit Rock' etc.

Our bodies are being assulted all the time, from flouride in the water to fequency pollution to Depelted Uranium dust clouds that have engulfed the planet since the Iraq Invasion. The simple step of swapping your deoderant, changing shower gels, drinking filtered water etc. all help to limit the damage that the modern world inflits upon us.

Dan, Kent

If only there were one cause the medical community could focus on that but BC as all cancers are much more complicated than that. I was on estrogn for ten years, some studies suggest a link hear. I was exposed to x-rays of the chest at a young age, could this be the cause?? If deoderants were a culprit I would think it would show up in the lymph nodes under the arm before showing up in a duct in the breast. I'm sure and the medical community is doing research discovering that our enviornment is playing a role with the development of many cancers. The very treatment, radiation, is a culprit but takes about 15 to 20 years. I'm sure chemicals in foods and dyes could be to blame or how about living near energy plants and wires. Or how about our water. You can go on and on and again why do some people who smoke develop lung cancer and others do not. We all respond differently and I'm sure it is possible some could respond adversely to any carcinogen and develop the makings of a tumor. Thank your for airing.

Leemg, Tabernacle

I don't think it's the aluminium so much as the other chemicals, such as parabens etc. along with the fact you are blocking pores right over the sweat-producing glands. We have pores for very good reasons and should not be blocking them with anything at all, even so-called natural deodorants/anti-perspirants.
I use bicarb-based deodorants which put a thin layer of bicarb/essentail oils on the surface; rather than actually blocking the pores this just stops the sweat which is able to come out from smelling. The smell of sweat comes from bacteria and phermones - you don't want the bacteria but you do want the pheromones! Wash just with water (so you don't get a build-up of soap products which bacteria can grow on) and also eat foods flavoured with spices which lessen smelly perspiration (such as coriander - which is used extensively in Indian and South American cooking)
We don't need to smell of chemicals, we need to get used to the way we smell naturally. It is only considered unpleasant because we have got used to the artificial scents, but actually I prefer the natural, powefully intoxicating smell of non-chemically altered armpit scent.....do you know that when asked to pick their partners' shirt out of a basket of shirts from 10 men, a woman can choose her partner's by scernt alone? Scent is a very important sense and we ought not be mucking about with one of the most basic ways we recognise each other.
As far as I'm concerned, no deodorant at all is more effective than the chemical-free ones. Green consumerism (a bit of an oxymoron, i know) is the latest trend so all these companies are cashing in on it, but really, making your own stuff is the best way.
It doesn't matter which chemicals are in a product, if it is something which ought not to be on our bodies, particularly petro-chemical based items, then these can cause cancer. but i think it is actually the presence of petro chemicals at all which are the main cause, whether you personally put them on your own body or not. They are in the air, our food etc, all around, and even if you live a 100% organic lifestyle you can still get cancer.

Cal B, Newcastle upon tyne

I have heard about the harmful effects of Aluminiun & Paraben in the deos,anti-perspirants and sprays but I havent taken much thought to that probably its time I read more of these harmful products in antiperspirants .

Tomah Kaunda, Solwezi Zambia

I stopped using products with aluminium about 2002 and have been happy using Aloe ever-shield deodorant stick for a long time now. It is a more natural product tested and trusted. I would recommend after reading research that there is a lot be be said about the dangers that aluminium based products and the possible connecting to breast cancer.

Zandra Moore, Bolton

At 77 years of age, I have healthy breasts (though I still have scans). I have been using aluminium-based antiperspirants since my teens (at least SIXTY YEARS) and have had no ill effects. I think there are many more likely causes of cancr than this.

Merryl Cook, Stockport

Yes, I heard this debate back in 2002 as well, and took the decision not to use aluminium based products whilst feeding my subsequent 2 babies - it seems reasonable that if these toxins can get into my breasts they can get into my milk and to my knowledge there is no research into what harm they may be causing to newborn babies, potentially even decades down the line. I really don't think 'innocent until proven guilty' is a wise standpoint in the case of these toxins.

Caalie, Camberley

I have been doing a lot of 'research' into this and over the last year or so I have cleared my cabinet from my previously favourite cosmetics brands... Clinique, Dior, Chanel, Loreal etc. I was horrified when I realised the amount of potentially harmful ingredients in almost all products even the Body Shop is not doing a good job in that respect!.... Now my shopping basket consists of Bionsen, Korres and Naked products and I am never going back to my old habits! I think awareness is definately a step in the right direction...

vania, Manchester

I have breat cancer and I raised this issue about deodorant with my consultant who said it had absolutely nothing to do with use of deodorant. I havent used Bionsen but after surgery I was advised to use alo vera and avoid off the shelf sprays because of surgery, nothing else. I did the get the clear but had had a recurrence, and I havent used deodorants since surgery only alo vera, so its still debatable. There are so many variations of breast cancer and how its caused, the main being oestrogen driven from HRT. I will try the bionsen.

Susan, Wigan

All of our family for about 3-4 years now (including my Husband who is just as important) have only used Bionsen which came about after a debate at school on Breast Cancer

Jayne, Stourport on Severn

I believe aluminium has been linked to altzheimer's also. Maybe there is a link in us inhaling the residue and the rise in that? I was unaware of a decent alternative and I work in a profession where armpit freshness is vitally important. I shall try Bionsen. Thank you for advertising this link.

SH-P, Milton Keynes

I would say that if it has been researched and there is some evidence then we should take note, as the more products that are used on the body that are toxic then of course it cant be doing us any good so to protect ourselves and the environment we should try to use natural products as and when we can..Having been recently diagnosed with breast cancer im much more aware of what i use now

Liz, Kent

I have had breast cancer, and never use an anti perspirant now. I only use a crystal, which doesnt stop the sweating but eliminates any odour.. its more natural thatn a spray or chemical roll on, and they are readily available in UK. I bought my first one in Australia a long time ago.

Anji, Gloucester

We produce bath and body products and have taken the stance that we should use natural ingredients in our products, our shampoo's contain no sls or sles and none of or products contain parabens. Our Shower gels, shampoo's, bubble baths etc are all 95% organic. Our Hand Lotions & Moisturisers are too. The rest of our products contain some organic ingredients. But all are Paraben Free. We believe that nature contains all of the preservatives that our products need, enabling our customers to have a natural organic product, that is handmade with love and devotion. It doesnt matter whether science proves or disproves that parabens attribute to the causes of cancer or not. We can prove that you don't need them to preserve your products anyway, so why use them in the first place.

Scott Taylor, launceston, cornwall

Oh, I wish there could be a good for you bionsen that works as an antiperspirant too.. some other non aluminium way.
I hate being torn between a good for you bionsen, or an antiperspirant each morning.

Helena, Essex

If you were told as a 100% fact that spraying synthetically produced aluminium based products into your glands causes cancer, would you be surprised? Seems like common sense to me but then years ago nobody thought that inhaling smoke would have a devastating effect on our respiratory system. Seems like common sense to me....

alice F, roma

Its another health scare - how can we live our lives if we beleive everything that is written about in the press? Take everything in moderation is what i say.

Ben, Gateshead

It's just another item in the long list of things they think could cause cancer, red meat, mobile phones, microwaves, cosmetics, stress......

Milton, Hemel Hempstead

Aluminiums and Parabens are suspected to cause breast cancer. That should be enough to put any woman off them, in my opinion. I believe that even though there is no direct link between using antiperspirants and developnig breast cancer, the facts that they may accelerate abnormal cell growth or react with oestrogen are red lights in themselves. I heard this debate as far back as 2002 and I only use deodorants without aluminium.

Nkonyelu, Birmingham