By Michelle October; photograph by Freepik 

An armpit detox: barmy new trend or legit health practice? 

You’re doing OcSober, cutting out gluten, raking up those spinning sessions and applying a face mask weekly… but should you also be detoxing your armpits? A growing bunch of natural beauty advocates say yes.

Armpit Detox 411

The case for detoxing your half-moon factory stems from the idea that conventional deodorants deliver max sweat-dismissal, but in doing so, clogs up the areas that need to flush out toxins. Then there’s the idea that your deo could be giving you cancer, given that chemicals like parabens and phthalates (found in plastic and attributed to endocrine disruption, and, by extension, cancer) can be present in your underarm. While studies haven’t shown a link, they have expressed the need for further research.Then there’s the idea it could even boost your immunity, since ridding your pits of hormone-disrupting toxins could be the answer to boosting your system. Plus, some believe armpit detoxing could actually make you less sweaty, owing to the unclogging of pores, meaning less toxins to release. Say what?!

READ MORE: 4 Reasons Why You’ve Suddenly Developed Dark Armpits

How To DIY 

Keen to try it?  First, you may want to try dry-brushing, a technique used to stimulate lymph glands all over the body and prompt detoxification. Of course, make sure your pits are clean so your scrub-up lifts dead skin cells and not deo residue only. Then, make a mask. Mix equal parts bentonite clay with apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of water, and leave on for a few minutes, then rinse. You should aim to apply the mix every day, but if you honestly can’t find the time, we don’t blame you.

Keen for more? Check out these 8 weirdest beauty treatments, or find out why you’ve developed dark spots in your armpits.