7 ms·

You seem to be replacing my own experience, and that of the people that alum rocks have worked for, with your own lack of it.? > with homeopathic medicine and

You seem to be replacing my own experience, and that of the people that alum rocks have worked for, with your own lack of it.? > with homeopathic medicine and are convinced of its efficacy. That doesn't mean they're correct. I don't see how that's even remotely a valid comparison. There is nothing homeopathic about alum crystals. > That they couldn't and wouldn't simply spread back to your armpits if you managed to kill them off there? Then why didn't they spread and colonize the next day, as you have claimed they would? Ohh, you've already explained that away. My skin is not my armpits. The other areas don't have the same temperature, humidity, and sweat. Those areas don't have and breed bacteria like armpits do. And it takes time for the bacteria to spread, multiply, and get below the surface. Once you've eliminated an area, it's going to be a while, regardless of the small amounts of bacteria on other areas. > Indeed, you can buy unscented deodorants from the major manufacturers, and they are exactly as effective as the scented ones. I have no idea what you're trying to convince me of. That I'm a crazy homeopathic guy with no sense of smell, covered in massive colonies of armpit-smelling highly-mobile bacteria that spreads like a fire? You might as well claim I'm a paid shill for the product.

Daniel_Newby 14y ago
> Then why didn't they spread and colonize the next day, as you have claimed they would? They do. Armpits are smelly because the sweat glands there excrete bacterial nutrients designed to feed smelly bacteria. Aluminum compounds plug the outlet of the sweat glands, choking off the supply of nutrients. The plugs last for days. > Once you've eliminated an area, it's going to be a while, regardless of the small amounts of bacteria on other areas. The other areas have 1 million bacteria per square centimeter that are easily spread, and a population doubling time of around 20 minutes in a favorable area like a damp armpit. Run the numbers on geometric growth at that rate. Even if you reduce bacterial density by 99.99%, they will be back in a few hours.
- powertower 14y ago
  Mine haven't been back for some time; I better let them know they're late!
dpark 14y ago
> You seem to be replacing my own experience, and that of the people that alum rocks have worked for, with your own lack of it.? No, I'm saying that your claims are so outlandish that even the manufacturers of alum rocks don't support them. > I don't see how that's even remotely a valid comparison. There is nothing homeopathic about alum crystals. Maybe it'd be clearer if I used the word placebo. > Then why didn't they spread and colonize the next day, as you have claimed they would? Ohh, you've already explained that away. They do, which is why a good scrubbing with antibacterial soap doesn't make them disappear forever. > My skin is not my armpits. The other areas don't have the same temperature, humidity, and sweat. Those areas don't have and breed bacteria like armpits do. And it takes time for the bacteria to spread, multiply, and get below the surface. Once you've eliminated an area, it's going to be a while, regardless of the small amounts of bacteria on other areas. You drastically underestimate how much bacteria is on the rest of your body, and how quickly those bacteria spread and multiply.
- powertower 14y ago
  > Maybe it'd be clearer if I used the word placebo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_alum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_alum Potassium alum is an astringent/styptic and antiseptic. For this reason, it can be used as a natural deodorant by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria responsible for body odor. > http://www.thecrystal.com/crystal_insights.cfm http://www.thecrystal.com/crystal_insights.cfm How Does Crystal Body Deodorant Work? Odor is caused by bacteria that form on the body. Natural mineral salts form a barrier on the skin that creates a very unfriendly environment for these bacteria. > You drastically underestimate... All I have to say is try it for yourself. Unless you think you're an expert on under-arm bacteria and odor... Which is odd concidering you work for Microsoft.
  - dpark 14y ago
    The placebo effect I refer to is not the short-term deodorizing behavior. It's the antiperspirant effect and especially the long-term effects that you're claiming. These are not supported by the company manufacturing the product, and I'm not aware of any evidence for these effects aside from your claims. If you have some evidence that doesn't involve blindly trusting you, then by all means share it.

Daniel_Newby 14y ago

> Then why didn't they spread and colonize the next day, as you have claimed they would? They do. Armpits are smelly because the sweat glands there excrete bacterial nutrients designed to feed smelly bacteria. Aluminum compounds plug the outlet of the sweat glands, choking off the supply of nutrients. The plugs last for days. > Once you've eliminated an area, it's going to be a while, regardless of the small amounts of bacteria on other areas. The other areas have 1 million bacteria per square centimeter that are easily spread, and a population doubling time of around 20 minutes in a favorable area like a damp armpit. Run the numbers on geometric growth at that rate. Even if you reduce bacterial density by 99.99%, they will be back in a few hours.

powertower 14y ago
Mine haven't been back for some time; I better let them know they're late!

dpark 14y ago

> You seem to be replacing my own experience, and that of the people that alum rocks have worked for, with your own lack of it.? No, I'm saying that your claims are so outlandish that even the manufacturers of alum rocks don't support them. > I don't see how that's even remotely a valid comparison. There is nothing homeopathic about alum crystals. Maybe it'd be clearer if I used the word placebo. > Then why didn't they spread and colonize the next day, as you have claimed they would? Ohh, you've already explained that away. They do, which is why a good scrubbing with antibacterial soap doesn't make them disappear forever. > My skin is not my armpits. The other areas don't have the same temperature, humidity, and sweat. Those areas don't have and breed bacteria like armpits do. And it takes time for the bacteria to spread, multiply, and get below the surface. Once you've eliminated an area, it's going to be a while, regardless of the small amounts of bacteria on other areas. You drastically underestimate how much bacteria is on the rest of your body, and how quickly those bacteria spread and multiply.

powertower 14y ago
> Maybe it'd be clearer if I used the word placebo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_alum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_alum Potassium alum is an astringent/styptic and antiseptic. For this reason, it can be used as a natural deodorant by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria responsible for body odor. > http://www.thecrystal.com/crystal_insights.cfm http://www.thecrystal.com/crystal_insights.cfm How Does Crystal Body Deodorant Work? Odor is caused by bacteria that form on the body. Natural mineral salts form a barrier on the skin that creates a very unfriendly environment for these bacteria. > You drastically underestimate... All I have to say is try it for yourself. Unless you think you're an expert on under-arm bacteria and odor... Which is odd concidering you work for Microsoft.
- dpark 14y ago
  The placebo effect I refer to is not the short-term deodorizing behavior. It's the antiperspirant effect and especially the long-term effects that you're claiming. These are not supported by the company manufacturing the product, and I'm not aware of any evidence for these effects aside from your claims. If you have some evidence that doesn't involve blindly trusting you, then by all means share it.