Seeking Advice on How Old You Must Be to Use Deodorant

I'd have his Mom talk to his Pediatrician about it. I recalled a story where a 12yo boy died from his deodorant, here is a link to the story: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1087772/Boy-12-co...

** Just keep in mind, he was in a bathroom that wasn't well ventilated if at all and he was using deodorant spray. Either way, I think sniffing anything with perfumes/chemicals in it could cause some harm, even if it is just a headache, that is reason enough to stop using it or at least not sniffing it (-:
M.

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It sounds to me like the request for deodorant might be more from wanting to be like big brother than a need for odor protection. Either way, I'd recommend getting him a natural one with fewer chemicals in it. Trader Joe's sells Toms of Maine deodorant. Also, beware of anti-perspirants, and just get deodorant.
What a nice aunt!

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Hi V., I would think he will move on and go on to some other thing soon. At least he's found something harmless and socially good hygiene is a plus, right? He maybe noticing some odor occasionally that you haven't.
Give him some space to explore his world. You don't have to worry, he sounds like a normal kid. You must be close to your sister, but to be frank this seems to
sound like a "butt-in-ski" type of thing. To keep on your nephew's good side you may need to back off, Auntie.
Deb
ps.

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You will know when it is time. Trust me, you will know!

PLEASE make sure that the deodorant you buy is UNSCENTED, and PARABEN, ALLUMINUM AND SLS FREE. You can get a great natural crystal at most health food stores - they are natural and easy on the skin.

Scented products are harmful (he already got a headache - now imagine that toxic "smell" being absorbed into his body ALL DAY LONG - cna you imagine what that did to his insides????) Aluminum and SLS (sodium laurel/th sulfates/ites) have been linked to breast cancer in both men and women. And PARABENS, well they are just linked to a whole bunch of bad stuff for your body. Ensure all your toiletires (shampoos, make up etc) are free from all those listed. FYI - flouride toothpaste could be removed from your home as well.

Start him off right. In my opninion, a deodorant crystal is the best option (and the only one in my home).

B.
Familly Wellness Coach

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may be this'll help! our family has two cases of bad smell me and one of my brothers. we started smelling bad, and i mean bad at around nine yrs of age!
and we have tried a lot of brands and despite the occassional headache we only needed any of them to work (deodorants of course) after all of our efforts what has been more effective has been lemon juice rubbed on the armpits straight of a halved lemon or baking soda powdered applied liberally as if it were talc. this info is just for this boy to be prepared if the case needs be.

Otherwise I think he needs a cologne and he could apply this to his chest, or his shirt, so he could smell it straight up. on the other hand maybe he is allergic to some of the chemicals in that particular brand of deodorant.in any case good luck!

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I have a six year old son and a 15 year old son my younger one always wants what ever the older one has. He uses deodorant when he sees his big brother use it he even wears cologne at times I thinkit is normal. For christmas last year he asked Santa for big muscels like his brother. I wouldn't worry as long as the 19 isn't doing anything bad around the younger one like smoking or cussing he is a role model hopefully a good one. Good luck

It normal developmnet to want to imitate an older brother. Both should use "natural" deoderant not anti-persperent. We are meant to sweat it's how we rid our bodies of toxins. If you bought something from a drugstore than it contains ALUMINUM.

I have a 10 year old girl. Of course boys and girls are so different-she is not wanting hair under the arms! Hahaha. But i do have deoderant for her, and i ask her to put it on if i know she is going to be doing some riggourous activity. She can get a little odor if she is sweating. But otherwise she does not put it on as it is not needed every day at this point. Maybe you can find a very light manly lotion for him? As cologne is so strong-maybe the lotion will help him lay off the deoderant sniffing!

My daughter NEEDED deodorant by the time she started kindergarten. Body chemistry I guess. Sniffing ANYTHING all day could probably make you feel a little sick. That probably needs to stop.

Hi V. S.
My son started having body odor at the ripe old age of 10! When I took him in for his yearly check-up, I asked her "wasn't he a little young to be having body odor at this age?" She said no, that lot of boys start puberity at this age and this is very common.
I then asked her if it was okay if he started using deodorant and she yes. Just be careful what kind you purchase. So, we have him use "Toms" brand, which has no junk in it and is good for sensitive skin as well. You can purchase this brand at Vons, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, etc.
You need to be careful because the brands we use on ourselves can also make them break out in a rash....

Good luck V....sounds like you have your hands full!

My now 4 year old would sneak into my brother's room when we were visiting my mom and put his on like chapstick! She was 2 at the time. Someone would get a lovely kiss from her. so we started talking to her about it not going on her mouth and it goes under your underarms. And of course we washed it off. We never had an adverse reaction. Sometimes when I am putting mine on she asks for some so I help her put in on. At least they are trying to have hygine and not fighting it. I think a 10 year old should be fine wearing it daily. You won't have to force the issue when he actually needs it if he is already used to it. That being said, he may have a sensetivity to the fragrance or something else in the deoderant so do keep a look out for that. The headache may or may not be related.

if you are concerned about the deoderant try powder. He also could have had a headache like you get when you blow up pool toys or blow bubbles to long. (hope that makes sense)

Hi V.,

Arm & Hammer (yes, of baking soda fame) has a wonderful natural deoderant on the market. You might give that a try. I let my 11 year old son wear that and we've had no problems.

Good luck!

By the time boys and girls hit 5th to 6th grade they are starting to develop certain body odors that are not so pleasant. As a teacher with 30 + kids in a classroom on hot, sticky days the room is not very fragrant. My class has been told to use deodorant. To have a talk with the family about it. Body spray, deodorant or talcs are fine. Anti-perspirants may be too strong. I would just try to check for deodorants, they make natural ones too.

As Riley said, some kids as young as 5+ may need deodorant, sometimes... their hormones are fluctuating a lot.
My daughter is 6, and sometimes needs it too.
But for her, we only use "deodorant" stick, natural kind. Not antiperspirant.

Per the 10 year old.... do NOT use aerosol.... and if he is constantly applying it... well that is too much! And if he is smelling it, and IF it is an aerosol type... he can get inhalation problems. (some kids, use aerosol cans to purposely get high, ie: "huffing."). The 10 year old... should be "taught" HOW to apply it, AND how often, AND about the side-effects from applying too much. ie: his headaches and sniffing it. Probably by accident, he is getting inhalation side effects from it.

ALSO, though, if he does NOT need deodorant yet... then he should be taught that he can't just do and use anything his older brother does. There is a great difference between 19 and 10 years old. Or, perhaps just get him an all "natural" deodorant stick, from a natural food store. And if he can't use it properly, then he isn't 'ready' to use it.

All the best,
Susan

Why don't you switch to all-natural Tom's of Maine brand? No aluminum or fake chemical frangrances. :)

Could be because of the fragrance, could be because the aluminum, could just have been coincidence. We just don't know for sure unless he gets tested for allergies. However i would suggest going with a natural deodorant for him that does not have anti-perspirant. I know that boys that age start to stink and the fact that he wants to smell good and keep himself clean... don't discourage it!!!

Hi V.-

Your letter made me smile! I have a 10 year old boy and I can just imagine him applying, & reapplying & sniffing his armpits all day!! :-) Anyway, My daughter started using a deordorant when she was 10. I also asked the pediatrician and he said that was fine. I use a stick deodorant with no antiperspirant, so no aluminum. I think a few people mentioned the spray can can cause a headache and I agree with that.

Good luck & have fun!!

I "chose" to get deodorant for my 5 year old (sooooo necessary). Whatever was going on, it self resolved 95% by the time he was 6 1/2. He needs it now, maybe one day every month. But 2 years ago, it was a BIG thing. Well, not once we got the deodorant. But an every day kind of thing.

Talking with his doc, it's not that uncommon, as hormones are doing their thing for periods of adult scenting to occur and vanish.

The idolizing of the older cousin is natural. Little boys also want to "shave with daddy" (see Normal Rockwell, or your own wee one coming soon), and other grown up things. Hopefully the stepson is a good role model.

I would definitely only have him use a deodorant that is "aluminum-free". There are several health concerned companies that make it that way. Of course, you could go to my store www.watkinsonline.com/sexton if you like. :)

Aloe & Green Tea Deodorant
Article No. 10534

Unique aluminum-free formula uses coriander and sage extracts to help tighten pores and eliminate body odor without the irritation and drying of antiperspirant products. Pure aloe vera gel and antioxidant green tea extract keeps skin soft and healthy.