Personal Body Shaver

The Ultimate Personal Shaver has a container of powder labelled “Talc”, but in reality it is 100% corn starch based body powder.  Why not Talc powder instead?

Some History:  Talc is a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate.  Although there are deposits mined in areas throughout the world, the largest deposit is in China.  Very soft for a mineral, Talc has an opaque lustre and has colour ranges of white, grey, and green.  Talc is also not soluble in water.  

Other Uses:  One use is adding Talc to ceramics and that helps against crazing in low-fire artwork.  Another possible use has just been recently discovered.  According to the Guardian website out of the UK in December of 2008, Talc has been discovered to help lower carbon dioxide emissions by being a possible replacement material in cement.  Currently limestone is used, which has to be burned at high temperatures (releasing carbon dioxide) and as it is burning releases more.  Talc, as mentioned, is a soft mineral, not requiring much energy to break it down, and as it hardens, it absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide.

In Powder Form:  Although all of the above sounds great, what it does inside the human body in its powder form is a whole other story.  Talc powder helps absorb water to keep the skin dry, but has been compared to Asbestos which was been labelled a carcinogen.  In the powder form, it can be inhaled and has been linked to lung cancer, and being used near/on the genitals, talc powder has been linked to ovarian cancer.  Since 1973, scientists have been testing and studying talc powder on lab animals, keeping tabs on the results.  Some results have been compromised as asbestos had been found in the talc powder.  As far as talc powder being a cause of cancer, nothing has been conclusive.  

In keeping on the safe side, Ultimate Personal Shaver made the decision to use the safer cornstarch powder to help with peace of mind for our customers.  It helps soak up the water just as well as the talc, but it is a natural material with no harmful side affects.