Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with antiperspirant

Pea-sized lump in underarm. Should I fly home at once, or can I wait and see if it improves?

limon — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:47:30 -0800

You are not my doctor, but I need your advice to help me decide if I should fly home and see one immediately, or wait things out a bit. I have a pea-sized lump in my underarm that is a bit painful when touched. I am a Canadian, uninsured in the States. Male, mid-twenties. Until I discovered it, I had been using an aluminum-based antiperspirant (Mitchum) on a daily basis, more frequently than I usually do given the muggy weather. On Sunday I noticed it and promptly stopped. Since then its size has remained constant and the discomfort too.

I can fly home and see a doctor, but that would involve reneging on some important commitments. Seeing a doctor here is not within my reach, particularly if it involves paying for tests. I've called my family doctor back home but he is out of town at the moment and so unable to dispense advice on the phone. (Other doctors are available, though, if I go back, obviously.)

I've been experiencing a tremendous amount of anxiety lately (unrelated to my health) and have taken NyQuil several nights in a row to help me sleep. (Doxylamine is the only OTC hypnotic that works for me.) Otherwise healthy and not on any medication.

My plan is to wait a bit and see if it improves. Am I being reckless?

I realize you are not my doctor, that this is not substitute for professional advice, and absolve you of any responsibility.

Help me avoid smelling like a hacky sack all-star.

Roman Graves — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:58:29 -0800

I'd like to start using more natural bath and body products, but I don't want to smell like flowers or hippies. I currently use Old Spice products for all my shower and deodorant needs, and love the way they smell, but want something more organic. Are there natural products out there with a more masculine smell than lilac and more pleasant than patchouli? I browsed the Lush site, and there seemed to be some possibilities there, but first hand opinions are appreciated. Deodorants are the main issue.

Will being Surer make me un-Sure?

simplethings — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:30:35 -0800

If I start using deodorant will I start producing unpleasant BO? I don't use deodorant (or an antiperspirant) but I want to because I like the smell. Whenever I run into a guy that smells good most of the time it's due to his deodorant.

I do wear cologne but it fades before the end of the day... people have to bunch up my shirt and stick their nose directly unto it to notice the scent. I could bathe in the stuff but I don't think anyone would enjoy that.
Same with scented soap--although the soap fades much faster.
The new laundry scent on my clothes can last a whole day but it also requires direct nose contact to be noticable.

I don't need deodorant. I've never noticed any ... off smells before, neither have my very honest friends or exes (I've asked). I barely sweat under my arms too. My calves will be dripping sweat before my pits even show hints of perspiration.

So, now my biggest fear is that once I start using it I'll start needing it. I've read comments on deodorant related threads here where people say that they never realized how bad their BO was until they started using deodorant. Could that happen to me (despite my lack of offensive BO to begin with)?

Are there any other risks I should consider?
I understand that aluminum could be dangerous in antiperspirants but I'm only looking at deodorants.
I also don't consider it a risk that people might be offended/irritated/angered by my choice in scents or products... although, I promise I won't overdo it.
I also understand that smelling like nothing or "only noticing your cologne when my nose is touching your skin" can be desirable, but it's not what I want.
I love smelling people who smell good... and I want to smell good too.

Shirt / antiperspirant détente!

Captain Rayford Steele, Tribulation Force — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:36:43 -0800

Quotidian-question-filter: I seek a high-quality antiperspirant that won't stain clothing. Right now I use Gillette gel, which works fine as a deodorant/antiperspirant but also performs all too well as an under-arm shirt bleach. Needless to say, permanent white staining in and around the armpit region is both unattractive and unsettling.

There must exist an antiperspirant (preferably gel, but I'll consider all options) carefully engineered to coexist peacefully with clothing. Know of one? I'm male, if it matters.

How do I not sweat the small stuff...literally?

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:56:29 -0800

sweatfilter: How do I curb my excessive armpit sweat? It doesn't matter if it's 90 degrees or 60 degrees. It doesn't matter if I wear heavy clothes or light. And it doesn't matter what combination of deodorant, deodorant/antiperspirant, antiperspirant, for women, for men, for unisex that I use...ain't no matter! My armpits continue to sweat...every day, all day, and A LOT. And I cannot for the life of me figure out why. The rest of my body doesn't sweat excessively.

I'm a thin, somewhat fit woman, 5'6" 115 lbs. I get some exercise. I used to eat meat and now I'm a vegetarian; neither has had any effect on my sexy sexy problem. It's not affected by nervousness, fear, lust, anything. Even as I type this my armpits are dripping. Ew.

Any thoughts? Solutions?

Has anyone had any success with removing sweat / antiperspirant combo stains?

GleepGlop — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:21:14 -0800

Has anyone had any success with removing sweat / antiperspirant combo stains? On my black undershirts the armpits are kind of caked on with white and on the white undershirts the armpits are stained yellowish. There seem to be 'recipies' out there to remove armpit stains but I was curious if anyone has found success. I use Mitchum clear gel antiperspirant if that makes any difference.

Help me enjoy summer sweatstain free

GleepGlop — Wed, 30 May 2007 14:35:17 -0800

How can I stop my underarms from sweating? I use Mitchum antiperspirant / deodorant and if the sweat really starts getting out of control I apply some Drysol which seems to keep things at bay. The main frustration is that I can't wear a single layer t-shirt. I start getting that sweat drip right away. As soon as I throw on another t-shirt on top, my underarms are moist throughout the day but the bottom layer isn't wet under the arms. What gives?

Deodorant goo removal?

sentient — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 19:24:57 -0800

What will dissolve deodorant/antiperspirant goo? My shirts all have white deodorant goo on the armpits once I'm done wearing them for the day. (This happens with any kind of stick deodorant -- even the ones that are supposed to 'go on clear' or whatever.) When I put the shirts in the laundry, the goo leaves the armpits of the shirts, but much seems to remain in the wash-water. It forms this filmy layer on the surface of the rinse water and it ends up on all the laundry. If I re-wash, more goes away, but never completely.

I've also noticed that if I get some deodorant on my hand while applying it (no idea how), soap and hot water don't seem to completely remove it. So I'm guessing the same thing happens in the laundry. I've tried oxyclean, but this doesn't seem to have much of an effect.

Is there a product that will dissolve the deodorant/antiperspirant so it will actually rinse away in the wash? Has anyone else solved (or even had) this problem? (btw, I know that switching to gel or liquid or certain-dri-type deodorant would work :) (Oh -- to clarify, I intend the term deodorant to be synonymous with deodorant/antiperspirant)

nonaerosol spray antiperspirants?

aberrant — Wed, 04 May 2005 18:08:59 -0800

Can anyone recommend a non-aerosol spray antiperspirant/deodorant (must be both) that can be obtained in the US? Many years ago, I used to use a nonaerosol spray antiperspirant made by Ban. They stopped making it, so I switched to one made by Pinaud. They, too, have stopped making the product. I really hate sticks, and I don't like the aerosol sprays either.

My criteria: must be non-aerosol, must be a spray (think pump spray, if you're having trouble visualizing), and must include an antiperspirant. Optional addition: a (masculine, please) deodorant. Thanks!

What is the best deodorant/antiperspirant for sensitive skin?

radioamy — Fri, 29 Apr 2005 10:24:16 -0800

What is the best deodorant/antiperspirant for sensitive skin? I've been using Dove for quite some time, but I'm finding that it doesn't work as well as I'd like in the hot Louisiana summers. I used to use Almay but I can't find it here. I want something that will keep me from smelling and won't leave a residue. As I have sensitive skin, I need something that won't make me itch (unscented too).

Deodorant that will not leave marks?

tristeza — Fri, 21 Jan 2005 11:53:37 -0800

Deodorant/anti-perspirant stick (solid) that TRULY does not leave white marks on my clothes? I’m looking for a US brand of solid/stick deodorant/anti-perspirant that really, honestly doesn’t leave white marks on clothing. Gels are out, sprays suck and roll ons are gross. I use the Degree “invisible solid” but they lie – my clothes are covered with white crud. Bonus points for one that doesn’t smell like men’s cologne.