BO or the disappearance thereof....

[Anastasia Alston]

Okay, I keep hearing about how your body odor diminishes after awhile when you go raw & some people even quit using deodorant 'cause they don't need it even when they sweat. Up until recently, I counted myself among the "Low BO" crew. I had been using what my husband & I call "industrial" deodorant - you know, the regular stuff! It had gotten to a point where I didn't even need to apply it daily as I had no unpleasant smells. I decided to try the hfs deodorant instead of the industrial stuff seeing as I had run out of anti-funk preparations.

Well.... All of a sudden I am STINKY!!!! I smell er, PUNGENT big time every time I sweat - & I sweat a LOT! What gives???? I remedy the situation for the time being by carrying a washcloth with me & ducking into the bathroom at work to clean up & reapply deodorant. This has been going on for 2 weeks & as of yesterday at least I only had to do the duck & wash thing once as opposed to the usual 2 or 3 times during my shift of 6 hours as well as right before I get in the car to go to work in the first place. I went for a power walk this morning & the funk wasn't too bad afterwards. Of course a nice shower took care of everything.

The thing is, I'm a personal trainer & I really can't afford to stink. I mean, I want to increase my clients' endurance & everything, but not like THAT! :D Several times over the past 2 weeks I have been tempted to go for the industrial stuff; I have become really paranoid. I guess I'm wondering if I'm way off here & should forget about the natural deodorant & grab the nearest tube of industrial deodorant I can get my hands on? Perhaps the real "Secret" is that it's going to be months before I can comfortably use the natural stuff because the stuff in industrial deodorant is addictive or something to your system.

My main concern with going back to industrial deodorant is that once I do come off it again in the future I'll have to go through the "funky" phase all over again until my sweat glands & body can get rid of the toxins.

I'm currently 100% raw & have been for nearly 2 months (this week is the beginning of my 8th week raw!) & before you say it Vegan4Life, I start every morning with green smoothies - about a quart or more a day! :p I feel lost without one like some people feel lost without their morning cup of coffee! ;)

Thanks for your commiserations, thoughts or anything else offered!

Stasi

[Rawkinlocs]

Are you saying that after using the hfs deodorant that you started to stink?

I know that smelly pits can be the result of detoxification (and we are EVER detoxing...it doesn't one day stop never to occur again due to various things we are exposed to daily).

I know that using the hfs types of deodorant causes my husband to smell so he won't use those, he'll use that crystal and he has better results with that. But for some reason, that Jason brand (the "natural" one that we use) makes him smell quicker.

Also, it could depend on what you're eating...do your arm pits smell like you're giving a bag of onions a headlock and if so, do you eat/have you been eating onions?

You can also try using apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or lime juice as those have been touted as wonderful, even MORE natural deodorants.

[Anastasia Alston]

Are you saying that after using the hfs deodorant that you started to stink?

I know that smelly pits can be the result of detoxification (and we are EVER detoxing...it doesn't one day stop never to occur again due to various things we are exposed to daily).

I know that using the hfs types of deodorant causes my husband to smell so he won't use those, he'll use that crystal and he has better results with that. But for some reason, that Jason brand (the "natural" one that we use) makes him smell quicker.

Also, it could depend on what you're eating...do your arm pits smell like you're giving a bag of onions a headlock and if so, do you eat/have you been eating onions?

You can also try using apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or lime juice as those have been touted as wonderful, even MORE natural deodorants.

LOLOLOL!!!!! Yep! I went from non-smelly to stinky & it's the onion smell big time! Oddly, I haven't been eating much in the way of onions lately, at least not since I started using the hfs (Kiss My Face) deodorant. It's the same smell I always get whenever I use any deodorant (regardless of brand) that isn't an antiperspirant no matter what I eat; it was a LOT worse when I ate meat). When I ate meat, I noticed I couldn't use the crystal at all, but as long as I was vegan it was fine. I never tried any other deodorants back then (I don't think they made them then!)

Anyway, the funny thing is I even manage to get smelly in the shower after having washed but before I get out!!! So I end up having to soap the pits a few times by the time I get out. :( I thought it might be detox, too or hormone related (period time) or both since I was feeling a bit tired for the last couple of weeks & still do, kind of along with having to deal with a ton of mystery emotional stuff at the same time. I'm trying the "wait & see" approach for the moment. Today actually ended up being a wash-under-arms-only-twice day, so maybe it's on its way out??? ::hope, hope, hope::

Stasi

[dreamrawalwz]

I think it's probably detox from the "industrial" deodorants and those chemicals. I've heard apple cider vinegar or lemon juice works very well. If I eat questionable raw items (nuts, seeds, dried fruits, etc.) then I start to smell until a few days after they are out of my system. The Jason brand of deoderant doesn't work for me. I usually use Kiss My Face or a crystal, specifically the Thai crystal. I'd like to get on to just lemon juice one day.

[exurb]

I've never liked ANY of the kiss my face products at all.

You could try the Ombra sport and see if you have better luck with that. I found it to be the most "serious" of all I tried. It doesn't have those specific chemicals in it that are supposed to be the worst.

I also have the crystal but for I never use it. Back when I tried it it didn't do much, maybe I should try it again if locs says it works.

I remember someone on here said they use lemon juice, and ACV as dreamraw said may also be worth checking out, though I would think that those would need to be reapplied as often as you would have to "washcloth".

I would say try the Ombra Sport and see. None of these more natural methods will be as airtight as the strong chemicals, but I think the Ombra sport will get you closer to that result.

[CaliRaw]

You all are too funny! :) I've been using the crystal for several months and it works well for me, even after working out. I tried using it about a year ago and it didn't work so well. Since then, I'd done a series of cleanses and that appeared to be why it didn't work so well before. My body was too toxic on the inside. I bet you're detoxing, like the others said.

[Revvell]

Bo? Disappear? Noooo!!! He's my GREAT DANE!!!! Noooo~ :mad:

O.k., I'll be sincere here... IF/when I use deodorant which is very rarely, I'll use Avalon Organic Botanicals. They have a lovely roll-on. I've had it quite awhile now. Hmmm. Wondering how long this stuff lasts?

Revvellicious

[Veganforlife]

Funny, when I read this title too, I thought the same thing! OH NO - BO??? I can see Revvell running around like a squirrel looking for him!!!! LOL!!!

Anastasia Alston my dear, you are still detoxing. Don't go using the industrial crap. Carry a washcloth w/you, drink a lot of fluids, esp. those green smoothies - atta girl!!! It will fade away. It's only been 8 weeks...

[purelyorganicproducts]

I really can't afford to stink.

Warning: shameless self-promotion to follow:

I had the same experience as you with several different HFS deodorants. I now use (and sell) Miessence. The entire line of products contains no harmful synthetic chemicals, and most are certified organic. The deodorant has no aluminium compounds or chemical antiperspirants and is based on the traditional remedies of "bicarbonate of soda to eliminate odours and aloe vera to soothe."

It works very well for me--and my husband can vouch for this. He complained about all the other brands I tried.

If anyone is interested in this or other certified organic products, I'll just add that the first purchase is at retail, all subsequent purchases receive a 10% discount (plus the occasional 20% discount based on volume) and shipping is free for purchases over $100. www.purelyorganicproducts.com

I warned you...shameless self-promotion! I really do love these products though. By eliminating chemicals in my products and eating raw I have completely resolved the dry skin and eczema issues that used to plague me.

Best of luck,

Kathy

[Anastasia Alston]

Ombra Sport? Is this available at the hfs? Is it scented? I don't want to smell like a man if I can help it, but smelling manly is preferrable to smelling like I'm hauling around a bag of sliced onions! :D

I usually like the Kiss My Face products; I use them all the time. I got the deodorant because the scent matched the scent of the shower gel I use figuring no clash, but I guess my body had other ideas! <lol> Sure the products don't clash with each other, but onions will clash with anything! :D I'll try the Ombra Sport & see what happens.

On a happier note, I went power walking again today & when I came in all sweaty, I wasn't stinky!!! There may yet be a light at the end of the tunnel....

Stasi

[Juicyfruit]

I have had the same experience with the onion smell when using the more natural brands. What is up with that? But any-hoo, if you want something that does actually work, just pat some cheap-o baking soda under your arms. It lasts ALL day! ACV (apple cider vinegar) works good too, but I don't like the smell when putting it on although it does dissapear eventually. The baking soda works the best to me. I am pretty much all raw except a little rice and hot sauce now and then when I eat sushi. The only time I am completely smell free is when I don't eat any spices. They definately come out in the form of BO in me. :p

[exurb]

Stasi, I get it mainly at a large drugstore I go to that has lots of natural stuff, and in the health food/supplements department of a large grocery superstore.

Ombra is the brand, it is made in Germany, the sport one is a little fresher smelling etc. "Deo Roll on - Sport - with natural ingredients and a pH value of 5.5 no Aluminum Chorohydrate"

If you know what I'm talking about Ombra is the company that makes those bubble baths that are with essential oils, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Juniper, etc., they sort of come in a dark brown plastic bottle with brightly colored lids in green, pink, etc.

It says its imported by REHA Enterprises US Ltd., Niagara Falls NY.

[freelive]

If you want to use natural crystal deodorant I would search about it's safety-it is definetely natural and it is definetely contains huge amounts of aluminium naturally! Maybe that's why it worked great for me! After I found it out it went to the trash. Thank goodness I just had a trial size.
I really stopped stinking after a few months raw(but at first I stank worse than ever before!). I was raw 6 months then and I can't remember how long it took to get non stinky.

[pbuttercwup]

I would suggest you do an exfoliation, sometimes you end up with clogged sweat glands that are full of bacteria. I know that sounds terrible but a good exfoliation can clean everything out and you start fresh. I find this really helpful when I switch deoderants...just a thought:)

[Anastasia Alston]

Thanks everybody for all the suggestions & support! I knew I could count on good suggestions & sound advice forom this board!

BTW, today I went for a power walk & was NOT STINKY AT ALL!!! I went to the community pool with my kids & came home drenched in chlorine which likely ate off my deodorant & I was only very mildly smelly after I sweat a little. :) I'm so glad I didn't give in & go for the industrial stuff! ::happy dance:: :D

Stasi

[noodle-o]

My typical BO either alternates between smelling like roasted garlic and onions (hubby calls that my spicy smell), mangos (fruity smell) and sometimes maple syrup (can't explain why though).

Anyway, when I don't want to use my "normal" deodorant, I use Burt's Bees deodorant. It has a really nice sage-y kind of smell. I don't like the hfs salt type deodorants. They really don't seem to work very well.

[Lady Green Jeans]

I, too, bought the natural deodorant and found it lacking. No one likes to have an unpleasand aroma, so did not stick with it. Have not heard too much positive feedback on the crystal so have not tried. Maybe the vinegar would be a valid alternative. Research to be done!

[Judy]

Ok, so everyone here's talking about natural deodorants instead of unnatural, and I wanted to add my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

I don't use anything and haven't been for years (this was way before I ever heard of the raw food style and of people using nothing).
I used to use conventional deodorant, stopped using it, but bought the 'natural' crystal just in case I had one of those days I would need it. I ended up using the crystal hardly at all and threw it away.
I've never been really smelly or anything, but noticed that when I stopped using deodorant overall, I started smelling even less. Now that I'm eating raw, it's less even more.
I actually think deodorant, chemical or natural, acts as a hindrence. Your sweat glands need to get stuff out for a reason. If they are able to do that on a natural and regular basis without interruption, you eventually won't smell, especially when eating raw.
I started the whole quiting thing because of bf's who didn't use facial cream or deodorant and had amazing skin and just natural, pleasant BO. I just figured the body is self sufficient if you let it, so I quit using creams and deodorant and that really did do wonders for my body. In the beginning it may be a little tough to get over that detox phase; it's really like an addiction, if you quit, initially your skin gets drier and you want to use cream, but if you go through with it, your skin starts to regulate itself wonderfully. Same goes for the deodorant.

[Anastasia Alston]

Well, I'm now convinced this is definitely detox of some kind! :D At first my left arm was smellier than the right & now everything's reversed! <lol> Plus the smell's dying down altogether. One of these days I'll be able to relax again! Until then I think I'll do all my working out at home; have washcloth will travel... :o

I was wondering if coffee enemas could help the process along a little? I don't currently have the funds available for a colonic, so maybe enemas could accomplish the same thing? I'm already op'ing daily eating 100% raw (minus stuff like maple syrup & miso). Just wondering....

Thanks for all your fabulous responses/ideas so far! It really has helped me be able to stay with it to the end!

Stasi