Chalk drying agents

I was curious if anyone here has tried to use baby powder, with chalk block, as a drying agent. I know there chalks with drying agents, but they tend to be a bit more expensive.

Thoughts?

Eliot Augusto wrote:I was curious if anyone here has tried to use baby powder, with chalk block, as a drying agent. I know there chalks with drying agents, but they tend to be a bit more expensive. Thoughts?

This seems like an unspeakably bad idea. Baby powder is talc with fragrances. Talc is wicked slippery. Chalked up holds are bad enough without a bunch of talcum powder on them.

There are several threads about drying sweaty hands if that's a problem. I think Dave MacLeod has a blog entry on the subject.

Terrible idea. Just get unscented spray anti-perspirant and apply it to your hands 20 minutes before you start climbing.

is chalk with or without drying agents REALLY that expensive?

Mmmm... chalk IS a drying agent. I've never seen chalk with additives either, curious about that.

metoliuos super chalk has a drying agent in it. it instantly makes my cuticles bleed.

costs the same, maybe a little more than other chalk

Eliot Augusto wrote:I know there chalks with drying agents, but they tend to be a bit more expensive. Thoughts?

Super Chalk has a drying agent added to it….but its not anymore expensive than any other chalk. If you want to call chalk expensive in the big picture of climbing….

try liquid chalk as a base. or make your own with rubbing alcohol and chalk. google it.

slim wrote:is chalk with or without drying agents REALLY that expensive?

No. I just get really sweaty, and I use a lot of chalk as a result. I think it's only going to get worse when it stops being winter. So, I was looking for a home recipe for chalk that dries my hands out more that I can make in bulk.

several things that might help;
1) iontophoresis machine. you can build one (slightly dangerous) for about a $100 or buy a real one for about $650
2) tite grip. about $8 a tube, basically antiperspirant for your hands. there are other brands, etc. I've heard antihydral is pretty good.
3) liquid chalk. you can buy it for about $8. of the ones that I have used I think the mammut is the best. you can also make it for real cheap (rubbing alcohol and powdered chalk).

if I am bouldering in the gym, I usually put on some tite grip first. do a couple warm up problems. put on some liquid chalk every 5 problems or so. this usually keeps my hands fairly dry.

^ thanks. Definitely provided some interesting reading about the iontophoresis machine. Might be a long term solution. I'll definitely have to try tit grip.

Thread resurrection?

I am looking for firsthand experiences with IONTOPHORESIS as an alternative to topical treatments. Mike Anderson's Blog entry provided great instruction, but doesn't give a good picture of how effective the method is compared to other methods, or how sustainable it is as a primary anti-sweat method. Below is my firsthand experience with topicals. Some will find this information useful. 

• Antihydral: Been using it for years. It dries out the skin (and makes it harder/more durable). It can be rather hard to time/dose serial applications. It takes 24-48 hours for each application to take effect. Apply very thin layer. Avoid the rounded tip/end of finger. Overuse can cause glassy skin, splits, (especially in the creases) or make you prone to flappers if skin isn't managed properly. A tube is not cheap, but  it can last for literally years for many people. Guaranteed to be effective, but not a simple silver bullet.
• Drysol: Prescription only in the US, roll-on aluminum antiperspirant. I've noticed a bit of improvement after using it for several nights in a row. Commonly causes minor itching/burning/irritation of the skin. Like antihydral, I think getting it right has a learning curve, but its commonly known to be effective for overall palm sweating.
• Titegrip. It says to apply 30-60 minutes before your activity to stay dry right away. I don't think it works the way it says it does, but it may be effective in the medium term, but someone would need to try using it daily for a few days to build up the effect. I am so far not convinced that it helps very much.
• Highly recommended to apply topicals at bedtime and wear a pair of simple cotton gloves to keep it off your bedding/out of your eyes etc. 

Can't remember who I saw do it, but on their first climb, they liberally applied liquid chalk to their palms, back of hands, and wrists.  I've tried it and it helps. My palms aren't particularly sweaty, but I do sweat everywhere else a lot.