when to start using deodorant?

[big-mouth-burgher]

My oldest son is 9 and he sweats alot. He doesn't have noticable body odor yet? Should he start using deodorant or should I wait until he really starts to stink? My hubby doesn't remember when he started to use deodorant and neither do I, though girls are different, I think.

[Aquarius68]

I would wait until he starts to stink. I don't think I started using it until I was a teenager, but I certainly sweated before then. There's a lot of chemicals in deodorants and antiperspirants have some particularly nasty stuff. Once he starts using it he'll likely be swabbing the stuff on for the rest of his life, so if he doesn't stink yet I'd wait until there's an olfactory justification for it. Some people are still debating the health risks, especially those of antiperspirants. Even if and when you do start using it I'd just go for standard deodorant and not buy antiperspirant. A boy *should* be working up a sweat :-)

[hardworkinmama]

I'm with Aquarius-- wait till he stinks!

[big-mouth-burgher]

I'm guessing that will be next summer. lol I was just thinking if we started now, in the winter, by summer he would be used to using it and would remember to use it every day without me nagging him. Wishful thinking, I know.

[mort20]

I think it's too early for your son to start using deodorants at the age of 9. I think deodorant is better used probably at the age of puberty. Though, I never use deodorant on my teenage years till now that I'm older. I think it's with the proper hygiene.

[big-mouth-burgher]

I'm sorry to tell you this mort20, but boys start hitting puberty around age 10, some earlier. My son has a few signs of starting puberty.

[rbfalife]

I started using deodorant fairly early...
I know I was using it by the age of 9 for sure...
Get him into the habit now, so later, when he does start to stink, he will be using it everyday as instructed...
Plus it will prevent a lot of sweat...
Which may be a better feeling for him...
Especially if he's sweating profusely...
(:
♥♥♥

[wright1212]

Perhaps you could search rememdies for sweat like powders or certain soaps.

Big Mouth you are right. One (consiparcy theory) I have heard about children starting puberty at an early age is ... Due to the cow milk will regularly give our children. Many of these cows are giving high doses of horomones to keep them producing milk longer and there could be a connection to the horomones starting early in children. I know I dont have that quoted correctly, but if I had time or energy I am sure I can find the article stating this! Scary food for thought.