I usually "share" an article that catches my attention on Facebook, so that I can find it easily on my page and read it later. What I'm saying is that I don't necessarily share articles because I agree with them or want my friends to read them too.
This was the case with the Tomato, Cucumber salad article.
This article sated that you should never mix tomatoes and cucumbers together because "it was not beneficial for your health."
What do they claim?
"Tomatoes and cucumbers have different digestion time and mixing them can cause health complications. The bad food combination can trigger digestive problems such as stomach ache, gas, nausea and bloating. Cucumbers also contain a substance that destroys vitamin C in tomatoes. So it is more beneficial to our health to eat cucumbers without any additions."
The English is pretty bad, and it is all over the Internet. There is actually another site that claims the combination could kill you. They also claim that you should never eat watermelon with another kind of melon, because "these fruits were meant to be eaten alone, not in combination with any other fruit."
We've all been subjected to all kinds of misinformation on the Internet, but this is ridiculous. Are they trying to sell us something? I don't see that either.
Actually, there are a couple of shreds of truth, but they are grossly misstated.
It is true that eating foods with vastly different digestion times can upset the stomach of some people. This happens because your stomach doesn't have the time to properly digest the more difficult foods before they make their way to the small intestines, and this can lead to fermentation in the gut…gas. However, cucumbers and tomatoes aren't that different.
The second shred of truth is that cucumbers do have an enzyme that destroys vitamin C. But this is true of other fruits and vegetables, like cabbage, cauliflower, apples and bananas. Don't worry though; the digestion process takes care of this. What do we put in the dressing of our cucumber and tomato salad? Yes, vinegar; this also takes care of the enzyme.
The big question is, can any of the warnings in these articles lead to dangerous outcomes? No. If it hurts your little tummy, then don't eat it. If not, don't worry.
A Few Notes From Me
There are a few points that I have consistently made in the Blog.
Eat your fruit half an hour before your meal, and try to limit fruit consumption to once a day.
Don't combine foods containing cholesterol (dairy, eggs, meat, etc.) with fruit. The point to be stressed is fructose. When, for example, you have your blueberries and yogurt, the fructose in the blueberries oxidizes the cholesterol and consuming this is not very healthy, to say the least.
Try to eat locally grown, fruits and vegetables in season. In the old days, do you remember cucumber and tomato salad in the winter? No, it was a summer salad. The seasonality of fruits and vegetables are synchronized with our body's seasonal needs.
Nearly 2 million American adults each year are diagnosed with cancer. If you receive a diagnosis, your schedule can quickly start to fill up with doctor's appointments, medical procedures and pharmacy visits. Creating a checklist of things to do can help keep you busy and feeling more in control. But acknowledging the effects a cancer diagnosis can have on your emotions — and healthily managing those emotions — is almost as important.
Doctors and psychologists now recognize that healing improves after a diagnosis when both our physical and emotional needs are met, says Niki Barr, Ph.D., a psychotherapist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Texas, who consults with medical doctors, extended families and caregivers about emotionally coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Learning you have cancer is a stressful experience, and it's important to acknowledge and cope with that stress. Fully understanding how your emotional needs can change after you receive a cancer diagnosis can go a long way in helping you and your family heal. The tips here can help you support your mental health as you navigate your diagnosis and treatment.
Photo Courtesy: burakkarademir/E+/Getty Images
Upon hearing your diagnosis, you might experience grief, fear or even a feeling of denial until some time has passed. "These are all normal and emotionally healthy responses, but it's all too easy to spiral out of control with fear in the beginning," says Barr. Fortunately, these tips can help you manage the anxiety and fear that come along with learning about a cancer diagnosis.
Lessen the Impact of Anxious Thoughts
Start by writing your thoughts down on note cards or in a journal. Identify the first one that's leading you to feel uneasy. For example, you might write down something like "I'm afraid of my hair falling out." Then, move onto the subsequent fear and write it down. That might be something like "People will treat me differently if they see I have cancer."
When you've identified most of your anxious thoughts, go back to the first one and write something new on the card that can help ease your stress. It should be a thought that's confident and empowering. For example, suppose you're worried about your hair falling out. In that case, a positive view could be: "I've been looking forward to getting a new hairstyle anyway." When you're feeling nervous, read the more positive strategies, says Barr.
Work On Your Internal Dialogue
It can also help to defuse all those "What if?" questions you might ask yourself, such as "What if my cancer has spread?" or "What if the treatment doesn't work?" One scary question tends to lead to another and often turns into full-fledged anxiety. Try to focus on those things you have the power to improve on your own. The next time you start asking yourself the what-ifs, substitute the upsetting ideas with this one: "Is this thought helping me or hurting me?" You can also ask, "Is this thought moving me forward or backward?" Your answers might surprise you, and they can help you move away from the thoughts that are holding you back.
Get Grounded
Interrupting periods of anxiety by focusing on small details around you can help you shift your perspective away from negativity and towards the present moment. "Look at the beautiful color of the walls in the room you're in; look at the person you're talking to, the clothes [they're] wearing," Barr suggests. Becoming very present and focused on physical details nearby helps soothe sudden anxious thoughts. Turn your focus towards absorbing the colors, smells, people and each new sound around you. Build those sensations up very clearly in your mind. You can use this technique as a distraction tool the next time you're waiting for a medical procedure or want a diversion from your thoughts.
Meditate to Music
Research shows that 15 to 30 minutes of both guided imagery and soothing tunes can alleviate deep feelings of stress about a cancer diagnosis. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) reviewed 30 clinical cancer trials that analyzed more than 1,890 cancer patients. They found that music therapy can have a beneficial effect on anxiety, pain, mood, quality of life, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure.
The CTCA also offers many classes and therapies to help people relax, reduce stress and improve their quality of life as part of an extensive mind-body medicine program. Many centers provide calming background music during healing therapies.
What Are Your Next Steps?
Photo Courtesy: Peathegee Inc/Getty Images
You have a cancer diagnosis: Now what? Learning how to clear your mind and focus on positive thoughts is a helpful step in the right direction. Here are other soul-soothing strategies you can try.
Start Journaling and Reflecting
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has shown that expressing your innermost feelings can reduce stress and have a range of other emotional and social benefits. Researchers aren't sure why putting thoughts down on paper is effective. Still, it allows you to process complex emotions and help you chart a way forward, whether you've been diagnosed with cancer or are taking care of someone who has.
Exercise When Possible
Exercising for 2.5 hours per week can help you beat symptoms of depression and fatigue. Among the nation's millions of cancer survivors, there are hints — but not proof yet — that active exercisers may lower their risk of their cancer coming back.
The American College of Sports Medicine hosted a medical panel of cancer specialists to evaluate this exercise evidence. It issued guidelines suggesting that cancer patients and survivors should exercise for about 30 minutes most days of the week. This exercise should be enjoyable to you but also build up a sweat. When patients and their family caregivers exercised together, research found, everyone was more likely to stick with the fitness regimen, boost their physical stamina and experience less emotional strain.
Strengthen Your Social Support System
Connecting with others who've been through this kind of emotional diagnosis already can be a source of comfort and support. Learn more about online communities and your local chapters and support groups that meet up. The American Cancer Society also suggests attending one-on-one professional therapy or its "I Can Cope" online support groups to learn more.
Resource Links:
Find Local Cancer Support Programs | Cancer Support Groups
Strategies Used in Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis Predict Meaning in Life for Survivors
Coping Well with Advanced Cancer: A Serial Qualitative Interview Study with Patients and Family Carers
Coping with cancer
Coping Attitudes of Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers and Quality of Life of Caregivers
Photo Courtesy: The Good Brigade/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of your liver. Currently, there are an estimated 6 million people living with hepatitis in the United States, and more than 50,000 people are diagnosed with this disease every year. There are three primary types of hepatitis, and while their symptoms can be similar, they vary largely in the ways they're transmitted. Learning more about each type of hepatitis can help you better understand the condition as a whole.
Hepatitis A is the most easily transmitted of the three viruses. It affects approximately 2,500 people every year in the United States. It typically spreads through feces-contaminated food or water and is found in the feces of people who have the virus. Hepatitis A causes a short-term, acute sickness that most people heal from without treatment. However, it can cause serious illness in some people. This virus is more common in places with underdeveloped sanitation systems.
While doctors can't treat hepatitis A with medication, people who get this virus can manage its symptoms with fluids, rest and good nutrition. There's also a safe and effective vaccine available to protect you against hepatitis A.
What Is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B can occur both acutely (meaning it develops quickly and lasts a short time) and chronically (meaning it develops slowly over time and worsens over months or years). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 2 million people in the United States are chronically affected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual activity and exposure to infected blood. It can also be passed from a parent to their newborn child during birth.
Hepatitis B usually causes short-term discomfort that many people recover from completely after about four to eight weeks. However, it can turn into a chronic condition that lasts for years; this is more likely in older adults. Doctors can treat severe chronic hepatitis B with antiviral medications. However, in most cases, treatments focus on proper hydration and nutrition. There's a safe vaccine available to protect you against hepatitis B, too.
What Is Hepatitis C?
Photo Courtesy: BSIP/Getty Images
Approximately 4 million people in the United States are affected with hepatitis C. This form of hepatitis causes a chronic illness in over 50% of people who get this type of the virus. It's the least transmissible of the three viruses and can spread through contact with infected blood.
Hepatitis C occurs more commonly in people who engage in intravenous drug use. If you received a blood transfusion before 1992, you should also get tested for hepatitis C if you haven't previously. Hepatitis C can spread through unprotected sexual intercourse, but this is a less common way to transmit it. While there's no vaccine for chronic hepatitis C, treatments that are available today offer a 95% cure rate.
Chronic hepatitis C can significantly affect how your liver works. It can cause cirrhosis, which means that your normal liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue. It can also cause liver cancer. However, there are medications that can help keep this disease in check. Making lifestyle changes, such as reducing or eliminating alcohol from your diet, can also decrease your chances of experiencing complications. In severe cases, hepatitis C may require a liver transplant.
The varying forms of viral hepatitis affect millions of people in the United States. Chronic hepatitis often has few symptoms in its early stages, so recognizing the associated dangers and getting tested if you've been exposed may save your life. Although there are five types of viral hepatitis, only A, B and C are the forms commonly found in the United States.
Resource Links:
"Hepatitis A, B, and C: Learn the Differences," Immunization Action Coalition
"What's the Difference Between Hepatitis A, B and C?," UNC Health Talk
"The ABCs of Hepatitis," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"What's the Difference: Hepatitis B vs Hepatitis C?," Hepatitis B Foundation
Vitamin B is a crucial resource in your body, yet many people don't consume enough vitamin B with diet alone. Vitamin B vitamins are necessary for both men and women, especially older adults and those with certain medical conditions. Because vitamin B comes in many forms, it can be confusing to figure out exactly how to take for the most health benefits.
Types of Vitamin B Supplements
Vitamin B complex is a supplement that contains a combination of essential B vitamins so you don't have to take multiple pills each day. Some of the most effective vitamin brands include other vitamins as well, such as biotin, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E. If you only want to take certain B vitamins, look for individual B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 supplements. If you're pregnant or obese, you need more of these vitamins, but it's good to check with your doctor for specific requirements.
Kidney Health
B Complex is one of the best vitamins for kidney health because each vitamin it contains has an important job. Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid help prevent anemia, and the other B vitamins, such as riboflavin, thiamine and niacin, turn the food you eat into energy. If you have kidney disease, your vitamin requirements are different than someone who doesn't have it. Vitamin B6 works to make protein and red blood cells, vitamin B12 makes red blood cells and folate maintains nerve cells and assists in making new cells.
Anxiety and Depression
Vitamin B complex vitamins help with depression and anxiety. It's believed that when you're not getting enough B vitamins in your diet, it causes an imbalance in the brain neurotransmitters that create a signal to your brain, leading to depression. Vitamins B3 and B6 added with some folic acid can help improve your mood and reduce anxiety. You can visit your local natural vitamin shop to see what they have, but if you have questions, you should speak to a physician first or do some research to make sure you're taking the right supplements.
Other Conditions
Trials using vitamins B2, B9 and B12 have shown to benefit conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The reason these B vitamins are the best vitamins for arthritis is because they help reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility. Vitamin B12 is one of the best vitamins for fibromyalgia because low levels of the vitamin in your body can increase symptoms, making your pain and discomfort worse and causing muscle weakness, pins and needles, and unexplained aches and pains. B vitamins are some of the best vitamins to help tinnitus, or ringing in the ear. Many patients who have chronic ringing in their ears are deficient in B12. B vitamins are also the best vitamins for older men and heart health.
What to Buy
What to buy depends on what your body needs. It's helpful to determine your vitamin requirements based on age and sex before increasing your vitamin intake with your diet. Take time to learn about the top 10 vitamin brands and search vitamin company ratings to find something that works best for you. Vitamin E is good as an antioxidant, which protects the cells, so it's another vitamin that is worth considering. Vitamin G is good for improving healing capabilities and reducing inflammation. Vitamin D3 is used for treating and preventing bone disorders by assisting the body in absorbing calcium.
Derma Complex Concentrated Vitamin C 20 is an anti-aging product with 20% Vitamin C that evens out skin tone and reveals its luminosity, in addition to stimulating collagen production. It reduces the action of elastase enzyme thanks to the presence of flavonoids from Ginkgo Biloba and Phloretin, reducing wrinkles and improving the firmness of the skin.
ADCOS Derma Complex - Concentrado De Vitamina C 20%
Ingredients explained
It's a helper ingredient that improves the freeze-thaw stability of products
It's also a solvent, humectant and to some extent a penetration enhancer
It has a bad reputation among natural cosmetics advocates but cosmetic scientists and toxicology experts do not agree (read more in the geeky details section)
Read all the geeky details about Propylene Glycol here >>
Also-called:Water |What-it-does: solvent
Good old water, aka H2O. The most common skincare ingredient of all. You can usually find it right in the very first spot of the ingredient list, meaning it's the biggest thing out of all the stuff that makes up the product.
It's mainly a solvent for ingredients that do not like to dissolve in oils but rather in water.
Once inside the skin, it hydrates, but not from the outside - putting pure water on the skin (hello long baths!) is drying.
One more thing: the water used in cosmetics is purified and deionized (it means that almost all of the mineral ions inside it is removed). Like this, the products can stay more stable over time.
Works best between a concentration of 5-20%
Boosts the skin's own collagen production
Fades pigmentation and brown spots
If used under sunscreen it boosts its UV protection
Extremely unstable and oxidizes very easily in presence of light or air
Stable in solutions with water only if pH is less than 3.5 or in waterless formulations
Vit E + C work in synergy and provide superb photoprotection
Ferulic acid doubles the photoprotection effect of Vit C+E and helps to stabilize Vit C
Potent Vit. C serums might cause a slight tingling on sensitive skin
Read all the geeky details about Ascorbic Acid here >>
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
A form of skincare superstar, vitamin C. If you do not know why vitamin C is such a big deal in skincare, we have a really detailed, geeky description that's good to read. :)
So now you know that because pure vitamin C is such a diva (very unstable and hard to formulate) the cosmetic industry is trying to come up with some derivatives that have the badass anti-aging properties of vitamin C (antioxidant protection + collagen boosting + fading hyperpigmentation) but without the disadvantages. This is a hard task, and there is not yet a derivative that is really proven to be better in every aspect, but Ascorbyl Glucoside is one of the best options when it comes to vitamin C derivatives. Let's see why:
First, it's really stable and easy to formulate,so the problems that come with pure vitamin C are solved here.
Second, in vitro (meaning made in the lab, not on real humans) studies show that ascorbyl glucoside can penetrate the skin. This is kind of important for an anti-aging ingredient to do the job, so this is good news, though in-vivo (made on real humans) studies are still needed.
Third, in-vitro studies show that after ascorbyl glucoside is absorbed into the skin it is converted to pure vitamin C (though the rate of conversion is still a question mark). It alsoshows all the three anti-aging benefits (antioxidant protection + collagen boosting + fading hyperpigmentation) that pure vitamin C does.
Bottom line: ascorbyl glucoside is one of the best and most promising vitamin C derivatives that shows similar benefits to that of pure vitamin C, but it's less proven (in vivo vs. in vitro studies) and the extent of the benefits are also not the same.
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
Also-called:Ginkgo Biloba Extract
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
It's pretty much the current IT-preservative. It's safe and gentle, but even more importantly, it's not a feared-by-everyone-mostly-without-scientific-reason paraben.
It's not something new: it was introduced around 1950 and today it can be used up to 1% worldwide. It can be found in nature - in green tea - but the version used in cosmetics is synthetic.
Other than having a good safety profile and being quite gentle to the skin it has some other advantages too. It can be used in many types of formulations as it has great thermal stability (can be heated up to 85°C) and works on a wide range of pH levels (ph 3-10).
It's often used together with ethylhexylglycerin as it nicely improves the preservative activity of phenoxyethanol.
Simply alcohol refers to ethanol and it's a pretty controversial ingredient. It has many instant benefits: it's a great solvent, penetration enhancer, creates cosmetically elegant, light formulas, great astringent and antimicrobial. No wonder it's popular in toners and oily skin formulas.
The downside is that it can be very drying if it's in the first few ingredients on an ingredient list.
Some experts even think that regular exposure to alcohol damages skin barrier and causes inflammation though it's a debated opinion. If you wanna know more, we wrote a more detailed explanation about what's the deal with alcohol in skincare products at alcohol denat. (it's also alcohol, but with some additives to make sure no one drinks it).
A natural moisturizer that's also in our skin
A super common, safe, effective and cheap molecule used for more than 50 years
Not only a simple moisturizer but knows much more: keeps the skin lipids between our skin cells in a healthy (liquid crystal) state, protects against irritation, helps to restore barrier
Effective from as low as 3% with even more benefits at higher concentrations up to 20-40% (around 10% is a good usability-effectiveness sweet spot)
High-glycerin moisturizers are awesome for treating severely dry skin
Read all the geeky details about Glycerin here >>
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
Ferulic Acid (FA) is a goodie that can be found naturally in plant cell walls. There is a lot of it especially in the bran of grasses such as rice, wheat and oats.
FA - whose main job is to be an antioxidant - owes its fame to a 2005 research that discovered that adding in 0.5% FA to a 15% Vitamin C + 1% Vitamin E solution not only stabilizes the highly unstable, divaish Vit C, but it also doubles the photoprotection abilities of the formula.
Couple of other studies show that FA just by itself is also a nice addition to cosmetic formulations: it can penetrate the skin (which is kind of important to do the job) and it has protecting properties against UV caused skin damage.
So if you spot it on the ingredient list be happy about it. :)
Also-called:lye |What-it-does: buffering
The unfancy name for it is lye. It's a solid white stuff that's very alkaline and used in small amounts to adjust the pH of the product and make it just right.
For example, in case of AHA or BHA exfoliants, the right pH is super-duper important, and pH adjusters like sodium hydroxide are needed.
BTW, lye is not something new. It was already used by ancient Egyptians to help oil and fat magically turn into something else. Can you guess what? Yes, it's soap. It still often shows up in the ingredient list of soaps and other cleansers.
Sodium hydroxide in itself is a potent skin irritant, but once it's reacted (as it is usually in skin care products, like exfoliants) it is totally harmless.
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
The most common type of feared-by-everyone-mostly-without-scientific-reason parabens. It's a cheap, effective and well-tolerated ingredient to make sure the cosmetic formula does not go wrong too soon.
Apart from the general controversy around parabens (we wrote about it more here), there is a 2006 in-vitro (made in the lab not on real people) research about methylparaben (MP) showing that when exposed to sunlight, MP treated skin cells suffered more harm than non-MP treated skin cells. The study was not done with real people on real skin but still - using a good sunscreen next to MP containing products is a good idea. (Well, in fact using a sunscreen is always a good idea. :))
A very common type of feared-by-everyone-mostly-without-scientific-reason parabens. It's a cheap, effective and well-tolerated ingredient tomake sure the cosmetic formula does not go wrong too soon.
A handy helper ingredient thathelps products to remain nice and stable for a longer time. It does so by neutralizing the metal ions in the formula (that usually get into there from water) that would otherwise cause some not so nice changes.
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
Super common little helper ingredient thathelps products to remain nice and stable for a longer time. It does so by neutralizing the metal ions in the formula (that usually get into there from water) that would otherwise cause some not so nice changes.
It is typically used in tiny amounts, around 0.1% or less.
You may also want to take a look at...
A common glycol that improves the freeze-thaw stability of products. It's also a solvent, humectant and to some extent a penetration enhancer. [more]
Normal (well kind of - it's purified and deionized) water. Usually the main solvent in cosmetic products. [more]
Pure Vitamin C. A skincare superstar that is clinically proven to boost collagen production (in 5-20% concentration), fade hyperpigmentation and boost UV protection under sunscreen. Also, it's extremely unstable and hard to formulate. [more]
A stable and easy to formulate form of skincare superstar, vitamin C. In-vitro studies show that it shows all the three anti-aging benefits (antioxidant protection + collagen boosting + fading hyperpigmentation) that pure vitamin C does. [more]
Pretty much the current IT-preservative. It's safe and gentle, and can be used up to 1% worldwide. [more]
Simple alcohol that's a great solvent, penetration enhancer, creates cosmetically elegant, light formulas, great astringent, and antimicrobial. In large amount can be very drying. [more]
A real oldie but a goodie. Great natural moisturizer and skin-identical ingredient that plays an important role in skin hydration and general skin health. [more]
A great antioxidant that is most famous for stabilizing the highly unstable Vitamin C. It also doubles the photoprotection abilities of Vit C+E formulas. [more]
Lye - A solid white stuff that's very alkaline and used in small amount to adjust the pH of the product. [more]
The most common type of feared-by-everyone-mostly-without-scientific-reason parabens. It's a cheap, effective and well-tolerated ingredient to make sure the cosmetic formula does not go wrong too soon. Apart from the general controversy around parabens (we wrote about it more here), there is a 2006 in-vitro (made in the lab not on real people) research about methylparaben (MP) sho [more]
A very common type of feared-by-everyone-mostly-without-scientific-reason parabens. It's a cheap, effective and well-tolerated ingredient to make sure the cosmetic formula does not go wrong too soon. [more]
A helper ingredient that helps to neutralize the metal ions in the formula (that usually get into there from water) that would otherwise cause some not so nice changes.
Super common little helper ingredient that helps products to remain nice and stable for a longer time. It does so by neutralizing the metal ions in the formula (that usually get into there from water) that would otherwise cause some not so nice changes. [more]
1.C is commonly used to describe the C: drive or the first hard drive on IBM compatible computers.
How to change drives in MS-DOS and Windows command line.
2. The C programming language is a programming language developed by Dennis Ritchie and Brian Kernighan at Bell Labs in 1972 from an almost unknown language named B. The first major software written in C was the Unix operating system, and for many years, C was considered to be inextricably linked with Unix. Pictured is The C Programming Language book by Kernighan and Ritchie that's also sometimes referred to as the bible in the computer field.
C program example
Below is an example of a C program that prints "Hello World!" after it's been compiled. If you need a free C compiler, consider GCC.
#include <stdio.h> int main() { printf("Hello World!\n"); }
3. With measurements, C is an abbreviation for Celsius. As a scientific unit C is short for coulomb.
4. The C button on calculators is short for "clear" and is a button used to clear all last numbers and totals. Calculators that have this key may also have a CE button that is used to only clear the last entered number. For example, if several numbers are entered before the number you're entering now, you can press the CE button only to clear the current number without deleting any prior numbers. If you wanted to clear everything, you could press the C button instead.
5.C is a key used with the keyboard shortcuts Alt+C, Command+C, and Ctrl+C.
6. Shorthand and chat slang for see or sea. For example, someone may say "ICU" in chat as a short method of typing "I see you."
7. With Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs, "C" is the third column of a spreadsheet. To reference the first cell in the column, you'd use "C1."
8. In the phonetic alphabet, "C" is often pronounced as "Charlie."
9.C is the third letter in the English alphabet. The letter "C" comes after "B" and is followed by the letter "D." To create a capitalized "C" press Shift and C at the same time.
On a U.S. QWERTY keyboard, the "C" key is on the bottom row, to the right of "X" and left of the "V" key. See our keyboard page for a visual example of all keyboard keys.
Tip
In ASCII the uppercase "C" is "067" in decimal (01000011 in binary). The lowercase "c" is "099" in decimal (01100011 in binary).
Not sure what to do with the hair down there? Fortunately, you have a variety of styles and options to choose from. Here's a list of possibilities and how to pull them off.
1
Trim dry, shave wet. If you'll only be cutting hair; not shaving it, do it while the hair is completely dry — it'll be easier to manage.[1] If you're shaving though, soaking in a warm bath or shower for 10 to 15 minutes can reduce the irritation to your skin.
2
Clean up. Before either trimming or shaving, wash your pubic area with soap or bodywash. The presence of bacteria can aggravate infection in case of a cut, nick or razor burn.
3
Find a good set of clippers. The tools you use to trim your pubic hair can make or break the experience. Avoid regular-sized scissors, and try these options instead. Remember, whatever you choose, try to set that tool aside for only pubic hair maintenance to cut down on potential infections.[2]
Nail scissors, which are small and ideal for sensitive maneuvering. If you can, buy a set with blunted ends. These can be found in the nail care section of most drug stores.[3]
A small goatee, ear or nose hair trimmer, which should have a guard you can place over the blades to achieve uniform length. You can find these at most drugstores. Don't use an electric razor with rotating heads, which can cause painful razor burns.
Embroidery scissors will work in a pinch. They are like nail scissors, but be wary of the sharp points at the end.
4
Use a sharp razor. A new, disposable razor is best. A dull razor will encourage itchy red bumps. If the hair is long, trim beforehand. Consider shaving with the direction of the hair instead of against it; though it takes longer, it also causes less irritation. Use a gentle, unscented shaving cream or gel.[4]
5
Trim in a place that's easy to clean. Stand in the shower, or sit over the toilet. That way, clean-up simply consists of running the faucet or flushing.
6
Get a hand mirror or a compact to check your pubic area. It's hard to gauge progress you can't see, so take a small mirror with you to check up on how things are going.[5]
1
Go faux-natural. You can do some minimal maintenance on the area without making it look too manicured. Simply trim the hair evenly, leaving it in its current shape. The length is somewhat up to you, but you will be limited by how close to the skin you can get.[6]
Trim with scissors or an electric trimmer. To produce an even trim with scissors, consider running a comb through the hair and cutting against it (the way hairdressers do).
2
Try bikini-style. This is a low-intensity but beach-appropriate style. Trim the hair evenly, but shave anything along the creases of your legs (so that no hair sticks out of your bikini bottom, thong, boy briefs, etc.).[7]
Give the hair an overall trim with scissors or an electric razor to keep the area sleek and swimsuit-friendly.
Remove the hair from the edges by shaving it, or using a depilatory chemical.
3
Try a shaped patch. This is a playful, sexy style leaves your entire pubic area bare except for a shaped patch directly above your genitals. Popular shapes include a small, downward-pointing triangle or a heart.[8]
Give the hair an overall trim so that the shape can come through more clearly.
Shape the hair above the labia with a razor or wax.
Remove the hair around the labia with a razor, wax, or an epilator.
4
Do a landing strip. This is a provocative, hybrid style. Remove all the hair on the outskirts of your labia, leaving a thin rectangle along the slit.[9]
Give the hair an overall trim so that the rectangle can come through more clearly.
Remove the hair on the outskirts of the pubic area with a razor, electric razor, wax, epilator, or, provided that you are careful about getting too close to your delicate membranes, depilatory chemicals.
Trim the hair on the landing strip to a uniform length.
5
Bare all with a Brazilian. This is the classic movie-star style that leaves the entire pubic area bare.
Trim the hair to make it more manageable.
Remove everything by shaving, waxing or using an epilator.
1
Go faux-natural. This is a good choice if you're just looking for some basic upkeep.. Simply trim the hair evenly, leaving it in its current shape. The length is somewhat up to you, but you will be limited by how close to the skin you can get.
Trim with scissors or an electric trimmer. To produce an even trim with scissors, consider running a comb through the hair and cutting against it (the way hairdressers do).[10]
2
Try boy briefs. This slightly higher-maintenance style is the male version of a women's bikini-style shave. Trim the hair evenly and shave anything growing along the creases of your legs (so that none sticks out of your boy briefs, Speedo, etc.).
Give the hair an overall trim with scissors or an electric razor to keep the area underwear-friendly.
Remove the hair from the edges by shaving it or using a depilatory chemical such as Nair or Magic Powder.
3
Do a lion's mane. This is a style that enhances your package. Remove the hair from the testicles and base of the shaft, but leave it everywhere else.
Remove the hair from everything but your upper pubic area using a razor or wax. You can tidy/trim the remaining hair if desired, but you may want to leave it as is for maximum effect.
4
Make an arrow/landing strip. Draw the eye to your package with a distinctive line of hair. Leave your entire pubic area bare except for a downward-pointing arrow or thin strip above your genitals.[11]
Give the hair an overall trim so that the arrow/rectangle can come through more clearly.
Shape the hair above the shaft with a razor or wax.
Remove the hair from everything but your upper pubic area using a razor or wax.
5
Go Brazilian. Leave your entire pubic area bare.
Trim the hair to make it easier to remove.
Remove all hair using wax (traditional) or by shaving (which will require more upkeep).
1
Apply an after-shave or moisturizer for a couple of days after shaving. Use a natural moisturiser like aloe vera, egg oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, kokum butter etc. Good skin care is a must and will reduce discomfort later on. Make sure to choose a product that is perfume-free; the last thing you want is to scorch your most intimate areas with harsh chemicals. Something containing vitamin E and/or aloe will go a long way to making you more comfortable and may improve healing time and appearance.[12]
Note that shaving and depilation leave your skin vulnerable to infection. Though applying rubbing alcohol will help prevent these infections, it will also burn, especially for women. Use at your own discretion.
2
Maintain your new style. Getting started is the hardest part — after you wrangle your hair into the style you want, though, upkeep is fairly easy.
Re-do shaved areas every two or three days.
Re-trim hairy areas every one or two weeks.
Re-wax every four to six weeks.
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When you are finished your trim, splash cold water on any areas you have shaved. This closes the pores, which in turn causes less irritation after shaving.
Using your hands to stretch the skin in areas with loose skin or folds can provide a better, more comfortable trim.
After regular waxing or use of depilatory devices, it is said that the hair comes back finer and is less painful to remove over time.
For permanent results, invest in electrolysis or laser hair removal; these professionally performed treatments are expensive, often painful, and may take several treatments to completely remove all hair but will yield perfect, smooth skin.
If you plan to shave, be sure to rinse after each stroke and don't be afraid to change blades if you feel like the one you're using is getting dull. Pubic hair is coarse and will dull blades quickly.
If you want to keep larger areas bare for longer:
Use a depilatory chemical for root-level removal. These products (Ex. Nair and Magic Powder) cause the hair to fall out from the root. As you can imagine, they're also quite potent, making them problematic for sensitive areas. Consider using them on the fringes of the pubic area, but be advised against apply them directly to your genitals. Test on a less sensitive part of your skin before using.
Use wax or an electric epilator. You can do yourself or professionally or use an epilator such as the Epi-Lady; both methods pull hair out from the root but can cause extreme discomfort, especially if you have never done it before and aren't yet desensitized.
Coconut oil is a wonderful body moisturizer, but it can easily clog pores, it's too much for your pubic area.
Do not apply rubbing alcohol to your genitals. It will dry out the skin and is useless for the type of 'infection' shaving gives you. Just change the blades regularly.
When you first decide to start shaving or trimming go one step at a time don't shave it all off you have to find your comfort zone.
Use oil to moisturise the area before shaving. It will make it much more smoother and will cause less irritation.
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If you have thick hair and very sensitive skin, shaving can make the area feel unpleasantly rough — even immediately afterwards. A good body lotion will minimize this, and your skin will probably adjust over time.
As always, be careful with trimmers, razors, epilators, or anything that you use for personal care. Lots of nerve endings, loose tissues, and capillaries filled with blood can make for an unpleasant experience if you hurt yourself. Be very careful around loose or tender pieces of skin such as the scrotum or labia minora.
Things You'll Need
Trimming utensil (ex. trimmer, scissors)
Razor
Unscented, dye-free lotion or aftershave (optional)
Other means of hair removal: wax, electric epilator, depilatory cream (optional)
About This Article
Article SummaryX
To trim your pubic hair, first wash and dry your hair to guard against infection in case you accidentally cut yourself. Then, sit on the toilet or stand in the shower to make clean-up easier. If you want a simple, tidy look, trim the hair so it's about the same length using scissors and a comb, but leave the hair in its current shape. Alternatively, create a "bikini" or "boy brief" style by trimming your hair with scissors or an electric trimmer before shaving off the hair around the edges so it can't stick out of bikini bottoms or briefs. For a sexier style for a woman, shave all of the hair off around your outer labia and trim the rest so you have a thin, rectangular "landing strip" along the slit. If you're a man and want something sexier, create a "Lion's mane" by shaving off the hair around your testicles and the base of your shaft while trimming the rest, which enhances the size of your package. For tips on how to maintain your new style of pubic hair, keep reading!
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