There is a discussion about whether touching a stalagmite or a stalactite would stop it from growing or not: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090629155053AAYFhCM . The results are that the oil on human body does prevent a stalagmite or a stalactite from growing, a short while though.
My question is, how long does it takes for the oil to completely vanish and allow the stalagmite or stalactite to resume growing.