# Anyone else use baby/talcum powder on themselves after a shower? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 4, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685 "2010-01-04T22:35:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/41 "2010-01-11T19:43:26Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I’ve never taken a survey, but I think most people use talcum powder after a shower… I’ve never done so, and get a bit of a :dubious: reaction from the concept. It’s something my brain and nose immediately associate with babies and diapers, or old powdered wigs and nursing homes. It just may be because I’ve never had rash or chafing issues and never felt the need. Mrs Gargoyle is the same, doesn’t use it, and the accumulated post-sweaty powder gunk that results is worse than just sweat alone. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/42 "2010-01-11T19:43:59Z")
In a child care class years ago, the teacher told us never to use baby powder on a baby, and strongly recommended not even having it in the house. Apparently, the very fine granules cause permanent lung problems in children. She said that you shouldn’t even apply it to yourself if there are children in the same room. I always wondered if this was really true. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/43 "2010-01-12T00:44:05Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > I’m curious. Using a towel to dry yourself isn’t enough so you use a hair dryer? Umm…yeah. Hey, it’s either this or shave it all off! And that hurts when it’s growing back! So I’ve heard… ---
**Author:** ![Stillwell\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@Stillwell\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stillwell_Angel)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/44 "2010-01-12T03:19:06Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > I step in to the shower stall to apply it. The moisture keeps the dust down as well as the door. It rinses down the drain easily the next day. Well, another :smack: moment for me. I guess I need to think outside the box once in awhile. I hate it when the answer is so simple you feel like an idiot for not thinking of it! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/45 "2010-01-12T04:42:28Z")
“You imbecile! That’s not talc, that’s paprika!” – Stewie Griffin ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/47 "2014-05-28T16:47:51Z")
reported spam post ---
**Author:** ![bclug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecb155/32.png) [@bclug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclug)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/48 "2015-01-05T12:45:53Z")
> [@ShelliBean](#): > > My boyfriend uses it to excess. It looks like an exploding coke party palace in his bathroom. I use it on my 5 y/o son after bathing. I dry him with a towel but he still feels damp (too much softener in the towels?) so I sprinkle powder on him, especially the arm pits. He loves sprinkling it into his underwear and fluffing it so the cloud comes out. I’m as bad as your boyfriend after my bath or shower. I guess for me, it goes back to when I was a little boy and my mom was still giving me a bath and she would dust me with J&J afterwards. Perhaps your BF has similar memories and experiences. Here’s a suggestion. The next time you are at his place when he takes a shower or bath, go into the bathroom when he’s ready to get out of the tub/shower and dry him off and dust him like you do your son. There’d probably be less mess in the bathroom and he might even enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![bclug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecb155/32.png) [@bclug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclug)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/49 "2015-01-05T14:53:42Z")
> [@Stillwell\_Angel](#): > > For those who use powder regularly, how do you avoid the above problem? In theory I’d love to use powder after every shower but the time or two I tried it I ended up with white powder coated floors and clothing. It isn’t like lotion that you can control how much and where it dispenses, so HOW do you control the mess while applying? > > It smells so nice and feels so soft I’d love to know how to use it with less mess. I don’t think that’s possible. I mess my bathroom up whenever I try to dust myself with J&J after my bath or shower. It’s about like trying to put sunscreen on yourself at the beach; difficult to do for yourself. I suggested to another poster who complained that her boyfriend’s bathroom looked like he “had a coke party” after his bath or shower, that if he takes a shower or bath when she’s there that she go in when he’s ready to get out of the tub or shower and dry him off and dust him with J&J. (Yes, the adage is true that men are really still boys and we enjoy a little extra care and attention once in awhile.) If as I suspect his mother did that after his bath when he was a little boy like my mom did when she was still giving me a bath, not only would there be less mess in her boyfriend’s bathroom but it would probably make his day! ---
**Author:** ![bclug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecb155/32.png) [@bclug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclug)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/50 "2015-01-05T16:23:38Z")
> [@El\_Nene](#): > > I do that during the summer. I live in Dallas. After my son was born, my wife started buying the lavender scented kind. I didn’t notice until my coworkers starting giving me funny looks. So what’s the problem? I use J&J lavender scented baby powder on myself after quick showers or long bubble baths. Makes me feel unbelievably relaxed and I enjoy it. Your coworkers are just jealous. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/51 "2015-01-05T18:26:24Z")
I use clubman body talc on my face, neck, and chest. I love the smell of it. I use baby powder on my privates in hot sticky weather. ---
**Author:** ![bclug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecb155/32.png) [@bclug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclug)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/52 "2015-01-05T21:29:49Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I’ve never taken a survey, but I think most people use talcum powder after a shower, at least on their body folds, or feet, before pulling on socks. Why wouldn’t they? The drugstore shelves are full of containers of powders, they wouldn’t sell it if people didn’t buy it. Everyone in my house uses it. (Though I know a lot of people who sprinkle it in their boots and shoes, the cornstarch variety is good for that, to absorb moisture and cut down on food odor.) For heavens sakes, stop worrying it isn’t macho or something, I know an ex-Marine who goes through a full container of Johnson’s baby powder a month. Not to mention the number of professional athletes I’ve seen interviewed on television who are standing at their lockers and in plain view is an economy size container of J&J. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/53 "2015-01-05T21:33:40Z")
It’s never occurred to me try this. I might give it a go… ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/54 "2015-01-05T21:50:28Z")
I use talcum too. From the Lush store. I also use zinc oxide cream for skin folds. For the mess, I simply have a white fluffy bath math that doesnt show any powder. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/55 "2015-01-05T22:08:44Z")
> [@fifty-six](#): > > I love dousing myself with Gold Bond Extra Strength Medicated Powder. > It is wild and refreshing. > Be careful for the nether areas. Yep. But mostly\* in\* my nether areas\*. Hey- I _live_ for the wild, OK?😛 - Underwear and socks. ---
**Author:** ![bclug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecb155/32.png) [@bclug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclug)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/56 "2015-01-05T23:26:11Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > I never use powder, maybe because I just never got into the habit. I can see the point of using it after a shower but the idea of damp clumps of powder stuck in my crevasses is kind of off putting. A lot people use it in my gym locker room, mostly feet and crotches it seems, and an occasional person will abuse the powder so much that there are complaints. Dust clouds and large white patches on the floor are not uncommon. I have to say, it’s a little gross to have to stand or sit in someone else’s powder residue. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. ---
**Author:** ![bclug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecb155/32.png) [@bclug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclug)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685/57 "2015-01-06T17:51:52Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Huh. Talc is all over the floor of the men’s locker room at the University of Minnesota, I think it’s more common than some think. I use it everyday, especially since I’m a regular bike commuter. I have seen professional athletes interviewed on television after their games at their lockers and, right there in plain view, is an economy size container of J&J. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-use-baby-talcum-powder-on-themselves-after-a-shower/523685.md?page=2)