It closes the pores. Not such a great idea. Better to let the sweat come out in the first place....the stink happens when bacteria on the skin go to work on the sweat. Sweat itself has no smell. You can get antibacterial crystals, really nothing but a big rock of what syptic pencils are made out of. Rub this on, and the smell is neutralized.

Anti-perpsparants contain adents such as aluminium compounds that do close the sweat glasnds and prevent them from secreting sweat. This is in contradistinction to deodenants that tand to have agents that are just sweet smelling. Often naturally the two are combined.

Anti-perspirant and the aluminum associated with most anti-perspirants and/or deoderants, while relatively safe for men, have been scientifically proven to be dangerous to women (mostly). The reason for this is because most women shave their armpits, and most men do not. The lymph nodes are in the armpits. When you sweat, your body releases toxins. People who shave their armpits and then use deoderant with aluminum and/or anti-persirants will prevent those toxins from leaving the body easily. This causes mutations in the lymph nodes, and leads to breast cancer. The reason it is more prevelant in people who shave is because more aluminum enters the body (which is also known to cause Alzheimer's disease) and sweating is essentially stopped. If you have hair, not as much sweat is prevented and the risk lessens. There are many deoderants available without aluminum. Anti-perspirant of any kind will increase the risk. Another option is mineral salts, which is available in a natural crystal form, as well as a deoderant-shaped stick. This effectively prevents odor and has no side-effects. Body oils are another option, as well.

Anti-perspirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the body from purging toxins. A good Deodorant does not prevent perspiration but does reduce odour by controlling bacteria and the addition of a fragrance. Anti-perspirant is dangerous. Deodorant is a safer choice.

Yes. These answers are correct. When I used to use anti-perspirant there were times when the aluminum would clog a pore in my armpit and cause a severe gland of infection under my arm. Very painful. Taking great care, I would gently squeeze the infection out until I had clear blood flowing from the infected wound. Needless to say, I stopped using Anti-perspirants. I am human and I believe it is perfectly ok to sweat like a human. Plugging up my pores to prevent sweating is absolutely ridiculous. Why do we do things like that to ourselves? I am going bald, too. Is that ok, or should I have flexible aluminum fibres implanted into my scalp as a replacement? Anyway, that is how anti-perspirant works. Yes.

There is mis-information about sweat & toxins in several of the above answers. The following comment on www.madsci.org explains more clearly: www.madsci.org/posts/archives/nov99/941436185.Me.q.html Re: How does anti-perspirant work? Does it have any ill effects? Date: Mon Nov 1 00:51:21 1999 Posted By: Mike Crawford, MadSci Admin Area of science: Medicine ID: 940878563.Me Message: Claire, Those rumors are false. Here is some information about this from experts. Headline From http://www.breastcancerinfo.com/ E-mail Rumor Inaccurately Links Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer An e-mail message that has been broadly circulated recently states that the use of antiperspirants is the leading cause of breast cancer. This is an inaccurate statement that is causing alarm for many women. Apparently, some people think that perspiration is a way for the body to rid itself of "toxins." In reality, perspiration is a mechanism to regulate body temperature. The fluid we call "sweat" does not contain any toxins. It contains natural bodily wastes like water, urea, salt and fatty substances. Preventing perspiration under the arms does not affect the body's ability to eliminate these wastes, as they can be eliminated through other areas of the body such as the soles of the feet and hands and most other body surfaces. Extensive research has been done on the risk factors associated with developing breast cancer, none of which have been linked to the use of antiperspirants. Research does show that the two most significant risk factors for developing breast cancer are being female and getting older. A woman may be at an even higher risk if she has experienced any of the following: A personal history of breast or ovarian cancer. A close relative who has had breast cancer before menopause or in both breasts. Menstruation starting at an early age (before 12) Late menopause (after 55) The birth of a first child after the age of 30 or not having children at all A previous breast biopsy showing abnormal cells, such as lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia Early detection and treatment offer the best chance currently available for surviving breast cancer. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation recommends the following steps: Annual screening mammography beginning by age 40 and continuing throughout your life. Clinical breast examination at least every 3 years beginning at age 20 and annually after age 40. Monthly breast self-examination beginning by age 20. >>>There is an occasion where the NO anti-perspirant IS useful when pertaining to breast cancer screening. From http://homearts.com/gh/health/02arnof1.htm BY BOB ARNOT, M.D. How to Get the Best Mammogram Q: When I scheduled my last mammogram, the receptionist told me not to put on antiperspirant before the test. Why? A: All antiperspirants contain metals, such as aluminum, which are easily mistaken on a mammogram for suspicious calcium deposits that may be a sign of cancer, says Daniel B. Kopans, M.D., director of the Breast Imaging Division at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital. In fact, lotions, oils, or powders also may contain metallic compounds that will show up as calcium deposits, so to be sure that nothing will interfere with how the radiologist reads your mammogram, Dr. Kopans advises that you not use any of these near your breasts. In addition, women with large breasts who use zinc oxide to treat chronic irritation should be aware that it can interfere with a mammographic reading, too, he says. Hope this info helps! Michael Crawford