Having used the patches, also, and having discussed this with others, it would seem that the reason part of the patch remains white is that the powder inside shifts around during the night as you move around and doesn't have a chance to do its work evenly over the bottom of the foot. I heard that Bodypurenow has improved its patch so that this happens less, but I am just repeating what I have heard. If you are able, you might want to have your used patches tested by someone who specializes in this.

I haven't done it (because I can't afford to waste a patch in this way) but apparently if you dip an unused patch in clean water, it will turn dark, also. Any toxins extracted from your body are dissolved within that dark mass, rather than making up the totality of the black stuff you see there. I can't see how your patch will ever be completely white, as some sellers claim, when you achieve some kind of total "purity". Yah, sure - after you spend $900 on their patches.

I used patches last summer and felt very good for awhile, and will continue to use them when the money appears for me to do so. I used Kinotakara, and they were good, but overpriced (sold by Multi Level Marketing).

I have also heard that the best ones (Kinotakara is one) are made in Japan (as opposed to Korea) but I realize that this may be a generalization. They say the main thing to look for is not a huge quantity of ingredients, but, rather, the quality of the Wood Vinegar, which is the most important component of the patch. I am going to try Asunaro brand, as theirs apparently has a high quality wood vinegar.

So, I hope that some of this has been helpful to those of you who are using or contemplating the use of the patch.