When to Start Deoderant? - Aurora,IL

When needed, age doesn't matter, but the smell does!
All three of mine started getting "funky" around 11 or 12.
Their PE teachers requested all students wear deodorant on the first day of 6th grade (and I could see why LOL!)

When ever they start smelling funky is when they start with deodorant.
It varies from person to person.
I was in 3rd grade when I started.
My son was in 5th grade.

I start when they smell.

I never got them special deodorant, my boys got the same as dad, girls use the same brand I do.

According to my friends with older boys, between ages 10 and 11. I've never asked them about a brand, but I would pick an antipersperant without any fragrance if possible.

When they start showing signs of puberty.

I hear Tom's of Maine is a great, natural deodorant to start with.

ETA: I hate Axe and other high scent brands. They're awful. If you buy these, please teach your boy that this is NOT to cover stink, and to not spray it on or rub it on a dirty body. Also, teach him moderation. More is NOT better. Ugh.

I work at a middle school. Some, like your son do not smell at all after rough housing and playing games outside and some ffffeeeeeeuuu. Well, it's never too early now to discuss it and just buy a couple of the really cheap things or small travel sizes to see if he likes any. If he doesn't smell yet - lucky you!!!

It doesn't matter what age they are to use deodorant.
What will determine WHEN they need to is:
when they start to stink.
That means, that if you can smell his body odor, then others and the Teacher can, too.

Just try a bunch of different brands.
And see what it smells like.
And what HE... prefers. Because, you and him probably have different preferences for what you want to put under your armpits.
Arm & Hammer is what my 10 year old daughter uses. The label says it has NO aluminum or parabens.

My daughter started using it at 7. My son is 8 and doesn't need it yet. It completely depends on the kid.

My daughter uses the same stuff I do and the boys will use the same stuff my husband does. Nothing special for them.

I have never needed a deodorant. Neither have any of my grandson's. If they don't need it is there an absolute reason they must wear it?

When they start to smell.
Do NOT give kids antipersirant. Blocking sweat glands is not healthy.

When your kid starts stinking, that's when you start deodorant. I've noticed a bit of a pit-smell on my nine-year-old daughter, so I bought her a stick. She doesn't use it regularly yet, she doesn't have to.

I think the answer to "when" would be when he starts to get stinky. If he isn't yet, then he doesn't need it. if he's only stinky after intense activity, then showering right after is enough to deal with it. If he's stinky after the sweating that results from a normal day of school and play, then it's time. My daughter reached that point at around his age. Some kids get there earlier, some later.

As for what deodorant to use, I started my daughter with Tom's of Maine, and it seems to work for her. I've also switched from conventional deodorants, which contain aluminum compounds (some indication, but not proof, of a link to Alzheimer's - since it runs in my family, I wanted to try to reduce my risk). I now use Bumble and Bee's Pit Putty, an organic hippie brand that actually works for me. (Most of the natural ones I've tried haven't, so I was pleasantly surprised.)

great question.

My son doesn't smell when i am near him
but if for some reason he raises his arms and my head is in his pit it stinks. so i told him before school starts in the fall 4th grade age 10 I would get him some.

have to say i was so sad the day i realized it wasn't little boy stink anymore but big kid stench.

puberty.
khairete
S.

G.:

My 10 year old does not use it regularly - he's mimicking his 13 year old brother...

When did he start using it? When he started smelling.

What brand does he use? He likes the Axe...all the different smells, etc. he hasn't found "the one" yet - but he likes that product line.

Good luck!

My son started when he was 12 and in the beginning of 7th grade. He came home from school one day and I was blown away by his brand new man-stench. He uses Sure Fresh Scent. It smells somewhat like soap.

My other son is 11 and does not smell at all yet.

Related to the topic - Axe and other strong smelling products aimed at teens are completely banned from my house. I've even asked one of my kid's friends to not wear his "cologne" when he comes over here. I had to go hide in my room to escape the cloud that infected the rest of the house.

My boy was around age 8. He smelled bad. You will know. We use Arm and Hammer deodorant or the Speedstick deodorant. Both are aluminum free. You can do research on what aluminum can do to a body.

Two options:
1. When they start to smell
2. When they start having to change in a locker room for PE and all the other guys are wearing it

You'll know when...when he stinks!
Then you might want to try Toms of Maine.

My son is 14 and uses it occasionally. But he does not stink yet so no problem there. He prefers Gillette gel versus some of the others he has tried.

agree, when they smell bad. I friend had to start her toddler on it. Your son is definitely in the age of typically needing it, but no need to start until he smells bad!

My son is 10 1/2. Very active. Doesn't stink....yet. So no deoderant needed.
Although maybe I should get some for his funky feet!
My friend's son is 11, he wears it. My niece (who is living with us) is 9 and she wears it as well.
L.

When he starts to get stinky :) I like Speed Stick, unscented. Rated very low in toxicity, as well:

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/467749/Speed_Stick_by...

At our middle school they asked tha Axe deodorant not be used by the students.., but to please make sure the students used some sort of deodorant or antiperspirant.. I thought it was hilarious..

Like Lee Lee said - when they start to stink. My sister had to put deodorant on her 3 year old because he had BO even though she gave him a bath daily.