When should kids start using deodorant??

[Evil Genius]

If he is concious enough of his own body to think that he might need to use a hygiene product, then he needs it. To wait for body hair to show up is not the best plan.

 

[LuvOrlando]

My DS started to 'need' it in 2nd grade. We do deodorant, not antiperspirant. If you do not buy it be prepared to have your manly scented shaving cream (Edge for example) go missing, my DS used it as body wash for a while until I started buying him the manly man AXE stuff. For the longest time I had NO idea what was going on.. for a while I thought my DH was manscaping

My DS is soooo needing it that I keep trial size deodorants in the arm rests of both of my cars for when he climbs in the car and it becomes obvious he has forgotten something, he has never fought this and is usually thrilled I have a back-up supply.

 

[Robinrs]

My sister, who matured WAY faster than most, needed it at 8. I, on the other hand, started at THIRTY! Yes, I was the slowest maturer in history...

My son is a fast maturer, also, he needed SERIOUS deodorant since about 9 or 10. He's sensitive to scents so I have to get him very unscented types but he can't go a day without it.

 

[HM]

Buy a deodorant, not an antiperspirant and you'll have a lot less chemicals to deal with.

 

[GothTink]

Whemn kids get stinky, it's time for deoderant.

 

[2bearsmom]

I'm glad this topic came up! My oldest ds will be 8 in Nov but for at least a year now I've been telling my dh and he (my ds) smells like a man. Mostly in the summer when he's been out running around, after soccer practice and games. I guess I was just surprised he'd need it this soon. He has never said anything about odor yet though. I use the crystal rock deodorant (it is the best ever, no odor and chemical free) so that's what we plan on getting for him when the time comes, I guess sooner than later! You're more likely to notice odor if you eat a lot of cheese/dairy, onions and garlic.

 

[powellrj]

I'm always surprised that this is an issue. I always gave my kids deodorant when they needed it. I didn't have a magic age. My oldest started wearing it in the 2nd grade, but the others didn't need it until around the 4th.

 

[DebIreland]

For anyone concerned about the chemicals in deodorant, I'd recommend using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). You just make a paste of baking soda and water and rub it on the armpits after you shower (use cottonwool pads or your clean hand). It's INCREDIBLE. I swear you could run a marathon and not sweat. Now I'm aware that a kid's not gonna use a home-made paste in the changing room at school and live to see another day, lol. So my sons (15 & 12) use regular deodorant (roll on - no sprays allowed in school) for gym but have started using the baking-soda paste at home. Not to mention how cheap it is!

The only reason I started using it was because I have recurring under-arm abscesses (sp?) which are very sore and I couldn't use spray - too painful. The baking soda paste is incredibly effective and comfortable.

 

[TwingleMum]

Thanks for all the replies. He doesn't smell but I kinda feel if hes asking , he must be a little self conscious so I should get it. I just worry about the chemicals. I like the suggestions of a more natural product. I'll check out Trader Joes. I try to limit if I can the chemicals they are exposed to ~ no diet soda (limited reg soda also) only buy organic milk etc..

 

[Jennasis]

I keep hearing talk of chemicals in deodorant being a problem. What problem are they causing? People have been using deodorant, and shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste etc for decades. Is there a sudden lurch in the number of people developing underarm cancer or something? I'm sure this sounds facetious, but it's a genuine question.

 

[2bearsmom]

http://www.thecrystal.com/product_information.cfm this is the crystal I use. I have seen this brand for men at the Right By Nature store but not anywhere else as I wanted to get that for my dh, although the crystal says it's for men and women and I don't know what the difference is. It's like $6.99 at Rite Aid and lasts for at least a year. I have tried Toms of Maine stick but that didn't stop odor and neither did a roll on crystal I tried. I have had no issues with the crystal, I love it and will always use it. I started using this deodorant and stopped wearing underwire bras after reading a lot about causes of breast cancer and other issues and after my friend telling me how she switched. You can search on-line about the aluminum in antiperspirants and what harm they can cause (along with the underwire bras) Your body needs to sweat to rid itself of toxins, it's something natural, we choose not to stop that. Once I read all this it just made sense for me to change what I was doing. THe whole thing with chemicals in body/beauty products and toothpaste and such would be a whole different thread, I could go on forever on the subject.

As far as a "magical age" to start wearing a deodorant, I don't know why some think it's such and issue, it's just nice to hear other people want to know what age to start, kind of compare notes. I have two boys that are only 4 and 7 so I haven't had to deal with this yet. I didn't know if it was something abnormal at such an early age.

 

[Hedy]

I keep hearing talk of chemicals in deodorant being a problem. What problem are they causing? People have been using deodorant, and shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste etc for decades. Is there a sudden lurch in the number of people developing underarm cancer or something? I'm sure this sounds facetious, but it's a genuine question.

For me, Aluminum cause my armpits to get red and sore. I can go with the clinical strentgh in a pinch (read-WDW), but otherwise I avoid most commercial deoderants.

 

[tlens]

I have to admit, I'm rather surprised that there hasn't been a deodorant almost killed me or made me homicidal story yet.

 

[moburg]

My Dh and I are having a difference of opinion (). My 9 yr old is in a sport camp and sweats. He see us use deodorant and he thinks he needs it because he sweats. I say he is too young to start with deodorant. That he doesn't need it until he has hair in his arm pits. My Dh says just let him use it no big deal. I'm not thrilled to start the whole chemical use thing with him. What do you think???

Women shave their armpit hair, so are you saying that because they don't have armpit hair they shouldn't use deodorant?

And deodorant won't help with sweating, anti-perspirant will, or supposedly will.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about deodorant while engaged in sports, but if he thinks he has an odor issue when not engaged in sweat inducing activity, then why not use deodorant? I'm with DH, its no big deal.

 

[ckay87]

I say let him start using it, even if he doesn't need it quite yet. Using deoderant is something that must become a habit for people. When you wait til the kid needs to use it and he's not in the habit of using it, he will often forget. And that's not pretty. So I say go ahead and let him form good hygiene habits early so that he's ready when needed.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

http://www.thecrystal.com/product_information.cfm this is the crystal I use. I have seen this brand for men at the Right By Nature store but not anywhere else as I wanted to get that for my dh, although the crystal says it's for men and women and I don't know what the difference is. It's like $6.99 at Rite Aid and lasts for at least a year. I have tried Toms of Maine stick but that didn't stop odor and neither did a roll on crystal I tried. I have had no issues with the crystal, I love it and will always use it. I started using this deodorant and stopped wearing underwire bras after reading a lot about causes of breast cancer and other issues and after my friend telling me how she switched. You can search on-line about the aluminum in antiperspirants and what harm they can cause (along with the underwire bras) Your body needs to sweat to rid itself of toxins, it's something natural, we choose not to stop that. Once I read all this it just made sense for me to change what I was doing. THe whole thing with chemicals in body/beauty products and toothpaste and such would be a whole different thread, I could go on forever on the subject.

I'm glad this topic came up! My oldest ds will be 8 in Nov but for at least a year now I've been telling my dh and he (my ds) smells like a man. Mostly in the summer when he's been out running around, after soccer practice and games. I guess I was just surprised he'd need it this soon. He has never said anything about odor yet though. I use the crystal rock deodorant (it is the best ever, no odor and chemical free) so that's what we plan on getting for him when the time comes, I guess sooner than later! You're more likely to notice odor if you eat a lot of cheese/dairy, onions and garlic.

The crystal deodorant does work, but is not "chemical" free - it is made up of potassium ALUMINUM sulfate, which is, by definition, a chemical. Of course, so are water, glucose, protein, and pretty much anything else we eat or put on our bodies.

The crystal works because it is water soluble. When you wet it (or put it on wet skin), some of the salt dissolves and coats your skin with a salt layer that inhibits bacteria growth.

If you read advertisements for the various crystals, you will see that they are very careful to say that they contain "no HARMFUL aluminums". That does not mean that they contain no aluminum - just that there is no evidence that potassium aluminum sulphate is harmful. Of course, since there's no evidence that the form of aluminum found in conventional deodorants/anti-perspirants (aluminum chlorohydrate) is harmful (according to the American Cancer Society), then that claim isn't really all that critical, anyway.

I'm not knocking the crystal. It works really well for some people, and it's very economical. I just think it's important that people be aware of the chemistry behind it.

To answer the OP's question - I'd let the child use the deodorant. Most of my DD10's friends have been using it for a year or two. It's never too early to instill good hygiene in your DS (and his future girlfriends/wife will thank you).

 

[scrapquilter]

If your son is sweating and has noticable body odor as a result, then he should be using a deodorant and antiperspirant. I don't see what it has to do with having armpit hair.

If you are concerned about chemicals (do you allow him to use shampoo and soap?, those contain chemicals too), then go for an organic all natural type one that you can buy somewhere like Whole Foods (though I have read that they often don't work as well).

 

[PinkRhombus]

My oldest daughter is entering first grade this year. Towards the end of Kindergarten...well, let me mention that she has a walk-in closet where her hamper is...and it was stinky in there.

And if you think that is young...try riding home from a field trip with a bunch of Kindergarteners and it's not pleasant.

What helped a lot was switching to Dial Anti-bacterial bodywash.

The "anti-bacterial" part is key.

And she has deoderant, but it's not a daily thing.

 

[SB1]

My child is in need of deodorant but she's only nine and I was worried that it was too soon. I didn't use it until I was in middle school.

 

[Vallie]

As Soon as they start to SMELL! please!
As someone who works in a school I can tell you the grade 7&8 hallway on a hotday smells just HORRENDOUS

Im not sure how young children start to get body odour but as soon as they do its time to start putting on the deoderant! I work with kids in JK-grade 6 and dont have a problem with odor with them, but like I said the grade 7 and 8s can be one stinky bunch!