Hiya fellow shavers! I'm about to complete my travelkit for personal care and wellbeing. I only lack a perfect deodorant. I have read that an alum block is useable. Is it good or just pasable in lack of better alternatives? I have also read it needs skin and not hair, whereas the average male armpit is disqualified. Any thoughts/experience on that matter? What other options does one have beside the usual 50ml rollon from the drugstore? Thanks! Edit: I must add, I prefer no scent or very little of it at least.
I just pack my everyday pit stick - Brut antiperspirant/deodorant. Of course it's ruled out because you want unscented, but why not just take your everyday stuff?
I might as well do just that, but it's rather chunky whereas an alum block is more the perfect size. And would double it's function.
I use alum block. Whether it works well for you or not is down to your particular body chemistry. But, give it a try and see what happens. Alum, as standard deos/anti-persps work much better if not blocked from your skin by a forest. You may or may not try thinning the forest a bit if that's a problem for you.
I've never tried shaving the pits... My SWMBO almost killed me with her eyes one day I mentioned it... "Men dont do that" she proclaimed.
I use an alum block as my daily deodorant & I get good results. But the only way to know if it is right for you is to try it for yourself.
Rubbing alcohol will work for a very short time. By removing surface oils & bacteria, it can help briefly with odor prevention. But when you lower your arm, you've already transferred some bacteria back to your armpit. If you use a deodorant stick & just want a smaller container, you can pack the deodorant into a medium-size or large glue stick tube, as you might do to make a travel soap stick. Deodorant is soft enough to pack & press without grating. A chopstick might help. As you'll no doubt find when Miss Sophia gets bigger, non-toxic glue sticks & other fun supplies come in a wide range of sizes (& colors!) these days
Not necessarily. The block is much more mild than the chemicals in a deo stick. And, some body chemistry just isn't helped by the block. What I find helpful tho, is to apply the block immediately after showering... don't even dry your pits. Used that moisture to apply the block. Or, dry the pits and then splash with some aftershave to kill any remaining bacteria that causes odor. The block doesn't so much as kill the bacteria (altho it can) as to help keep the bacteria from growing. The more "sterilized" your pits are before application, the better.
A lot of US men at least under a certain age will at least trim. Many shave, particularly athletes. I think shaving is pretty popular in some areas of Europe as well. I shave or buzz for athletic reasons, but also it just looks better than Don King in a headlock. Plus deo, etc. works much better.
One more add: if your looking to save space in your kit, alum block really is the perfect thing as it's multi-functional. As noted, it can be used as a deo stick and, as we know, as an aftershave treatment. The olde tyme barbers would also use it as a type of hairdressing for men with short hair, particularly crew cuts. (I used to have a high n tight and it works nicely!)
I'm down to using the block for the next time being - it sounds intriging! I can't convert my normal stick as it's a liquid roll-on.
On another note, I just read that an alum block is banned from being stored on metal, which is exactly what I do! Is ceramics better? Maybe it's time to shave the pits, for scientific purposes of course
Don't give up on the block after your first try or two. It takes a few days for your body to adjust and/or you may not have applied enough. Also, you cannot over-apply.
