Aluminum hydrochloride is a representative of a group of specific aluminum salts that have a common chemical formula. This substance is actively used in modern cosmetology, in antiperspirants and deodorants. He also found his application as a coagulant in water purifying devices.
Aluminum salts
Aluminum hydrochloride is usually a white or colorless, odorless salt. Over the past decades, it has been used as an active active agent in most antiperspirants and deodorants. The presence in these cosmetics of aluminum hydrochloride leads to a decrease in perspiration, has a local antibacterial effect, eliminates the smell of sweat. Its active use occurs because manufacturers and buyers have concluded that the effect is the best option to rid a person of unpleasant physiological factors caused by sweat and its attendant manifestations.
Cosmetology and hydrochloride
In the modern world it is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person without cosmetics, which include antiperspirants and deodorants. They, along with a toothbrush, soap, shampoo, are in the bathroom on the shelves in each apartment. Their use allows a person to protect themselves from sweat, accompanying his unpleasant odor, not to think about how to hide wet spots in the armpits.
Modern and classic deodorants and antiperspirants contain a significant amount of aluminum salts (aluminum hydrochloride), as the main active substance. Its share in them sometimes reaches 40%.
In this regard, before consumers of cosmetics, which include this substance, the question arises whether aluminum hydrochloride is harmful. If so, how is this manifested.
Principles of exposure to the skin
It should be understood that through the use of this salt, aluminum penetrates through the cell membrane, entering the body as a free radical. It can get inside a person and through the flow of blood, penetrating into it through cuts formed during shaving or other procedures. At the same time, aluminum salts penetrate the liver, kidneys, and brain with blood flows. If human organs work normally, then they are subsequently successfully excreted. Otherwise, they can contribute to the development of various diseases.
The aluminum salt, getting on the epidermis of the skin, is hydrolyzed, starting the polymerization reaction. The molecules of these salts are extremely small. As a result of this, during the polymerization, an amorphous gel is formed, which easily clogs the microscopic ducts of the sweat glands, exerting an effect on them. Aluminum ions begin to affect the membrane potential of secretory cells. This leads to the fact that the secretion of sweat is stopped until the membrane structures are restored.
Antiperspirant particles containing aluminum hydrochloride can be present in the excretory ducts of the sweat glands for 7 to 14 days, which depends on the individual characteristics of human skin. At the same time, cosmetologists claim that the best and maximum effect of exposure to antiperspirants begins only after about 10 days have passed since its use. Its action ceases 2 weeks after the completion of the use of the cosmetic product.
Side effects
Manufacturers of deodorants and antiperspirants claim that if you use cosmetic substances containing aluminum hydrochloride according to the recommendations, they are safe. However, it is noted that certain inconveniences may occur, namely:
- the presence of discomfort on the skin after applying the specified funds;
- used substances containing aluminum salts can stain clothes, leave marks on the skin;
- in some cases, there are some side effects in the form of cutaneous erythema and burning in the places of their application.
It should be emphasized that the use of deodorants with aluminum hydrochloride can harm the body by the fact that they contribute to the accumulation of sweat in the ducts of the sweat glands. This can cause skin irritation.
About harm
In the media, as well as on the Internet, you can find a lot of messages that tell about the dangers of aluminum hydrochloride. Basically, this information comes down to the argument that aluminum salts can lead to malignant tumors, cause dementia, and cause irreparable damage to the kidneys. The findings of British scientists are usually cited as scientific data. However, it should be noted that these assumptions are not supported by any scientific evidence and research results.
A significant amount of negative information regarding aluminum hydrochloride is associated with its negative influence, leading to the development of oncological problems, mainly breast cancer. However, it is worth noting that to date, serious studies on this subject have not been conducted.
Indeed, medical studies have found that aluminum salts, which include aluminum hydrochloride, have similar characteristics to the effects of the human hormone estrogen on the body. It has been reliably established that the level of this hormone (estrogen) unambiguously affects the occurrence of malignant neoplasms of the mammary gland. It stimulates the growth of malignant cells. But at the same time, it is known that hormone therapy procedures and oral contraceptives are also sources of estrogen.
In the XX century, medical experts put forward the assumption, which was seriously discussed among specialists, that aluminum contributes to the development of senile dementia (Alzheimer's disease). However, no scientific relationship was found between them.
Among the contraindications for the use of deodorants, antiperspirants containing aluminum hydrochloride or other salts of this metal, there is a ban on their use for people with established kidney diseases. This is especially true for those who carry out hemodialysis procedures. Sick kidneys become unable to efficiently and quickly remove aluminum from the body, resulting in its accumulation in large quantities.
A bit about the risks
It is believed that the presence of the harmful effects of aluminum hydrochloride was scientifically recorded in 1988. Then, in one of the English cities, a significant amount of aluminum sulfate salts fell into the water tank used by the population. After a while, people who consumed this water were diagnosed with a rare type of Alzheimer's disease. In the brain of patients found aluminum, 20 times higher than normal. This gave reason to believe that aluminum acted as a neurotoxin, which provoked a dangerous disease.
Is aluminum hydrochloride harmful to the body?
It is able to accumulate in human bones, causing osteoporosis. Also, this metal is able to settle in the liver, bone marrow, cartilage, kidneys. The accumulation of aluminum salts was also established in the tissues of the mammary glands, where they increase the rate of cell oxidation.
At present, independent experts who consider themselves opponents of the use of aluminum salts in cosmetology and not only have launched a fairly active company. They invite those who intend to begin active contacts with products containing aluminum hydrochloride and other salts of this metal to understand the following positions:
- Aluminum is a heavy metal that is not an ordinary substance for the human body. As a result of this, there is a risk of its accumulation in various organs of a person, which with a high degree of probability can lead to irreversible negative consequences.
- Aluminum hydrochloride is produced by contacting metal with sulfuric acid. In its natural form, it does not occur in nature and is artificially educated. Considering that its production and use in cosmetology began relatively recently, its effect on humans has not been thoroughly studied.
- Also, opponents of aluminum hydrochloride do not believe that the use of deodorants and antiperspirants with this substance goes without harm to health. Attention is drawn to the fact that the areas of their use are quite close to important human organs. So, near the axillary sites in women there are mammary glands, and men put the work of the heart at risk.
Whether aluminum hydrochloride is harmful in deodorants, it is for everyone to decide on their own after reading the above information.
Alum Potassium Alum
They belong to the class of so-called double salts. These are inorganic substances. The powder is usually white. Sometimes colorless. Alum has no smell. This salt dissolves quickly in warm and hot water. At a temperature of just over 90 degrees, potassium alum melts. At 120 degrees Celsius, they become the so-called burnt alum, that is, a white powder, insoluble in water. They are found in nature and are contained in mineral salts.
The properties of potassium alum have been known since ancient times. Then they were used mainly for dyeing yarn.
The use of alum
Just like aluminum hydrochloride, potassium alum is used in cosmetology. They are used as the main component in hair and body care products. Successfully used in the treatment of oily seborrhea, in the presence of skin problems (lethargy, porosity, fat content).
Potassium alum is an integral part of antiperspirants, having the same effect as aluminum hydrochloride, helping to reduce the secretion of sebaceous and sweat glands. They have a deodorizing effect.
Compared with aluminum hydrochloride, potassium alum has certain advantages. They do not penetrate deep into the sweat glands and do not interfere with their functioning. The principle of their work is not in blockage and blocking of the glands, but in absorption. As a result, they are widely used in medicine. With their help, heals thrush, prevents the spread of itching and swelling with insect bites, etc.
In the food industry, potassium alum has also found application. They are usually designated additive E522. It is a stabilizer, baking powder and acidity regulator. Belongs to completely safe substances.
However, if this chemical is improperly handled, it can be harmful. Potassium alum without special treatment and not approved by doctors for use can lead to severe irritation of the eyes and skin, and when taken orally, can disrupt breathing and the digestive tract.