# Cecil's column on Preparation H **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 18, 1999, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19 "1999-03-18T13:59:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 1999, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/1 "1999-03-18T13:59:00Z")
I just have to disseminate my mother’s response to the report that women use Preparation H around their eyes. She said something along the lines of “It makes me wonder where they apply their eyeshadow.” Best regards from Deborah ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 1999, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/2 "1999-03-20T02:20:00Z")
With the right shade they could have rose colored asses. * * * Good for what ails ya… ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 1999, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/3 "1999-03-20T21:19:00Z")
Doc: You could get the same effect by giving a good spanking 😉 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 1999, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/4 "1999-04-06T05:30:00Z")
In the March 5th column, in the last paragraph it’s mentioned in “Paula’s tips” and included as #2 “Avoid booze and salty foods, which can cause water retention”. I always thought “booze” dehydrated you? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 1999, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/5 "1999-04-05T19:37:00Z")
When you begin to dehydrate, your body realizes this; it increases the amount of water held in body tissues, so it has a reserve to rely on. The less you drink, the more water you retain (up to a point). This is why most diets tell you to drink water. When you give your body enough water intake, it doesn’t feel the need to hold on to that extra reserve anymore, and lets it go. If you ever lost several pounds in the first week of a diet and someone said it was “water weight,” this is what he meant. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 1999, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/6 "1999-04-07T14:03:00Z")
I have been told that super models rub acetone on their faces to get rid of fat deposits. Doesn’t sound like a good idea, but they make more money than I do. ---
**Author:** ![vanda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vanda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanda)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/7 "2015-08-22T23:42:03Z")
[QUOTE=;56] When you begin to dehydrate, your body realizes this; it increases the amount of water held in body tissues, so it has a reserve to rely on. The less you drink, the more water you retain (up to a point). This is why most diets tell you to drink water. When you give your body enough water intake, it doesn’t feel the need to hold on to that extra reserve anymore, and lets it go. If you ever lost several pounds in the first week of a diet and someone said it was “water weight,” this is what he meant. [/QUOTE] No, no, no. Water is stored with glycogen in our body, when we diet we mobile glycogen stores and lose water. Similar process with salt, too. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2015, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/8 "2015-08-22T23:54:29Z")
I thought all the threads from 1999 were lost in the mists of time. Congratulations on finding one, **vanda**! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/9 "2015-08-23T00:18:52Z")
And if I’m reading the URL right, it’s the 10th thread overall. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/10 "2015-08-23T00:21:52Z")
Well it took 16 years but now we finally know. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/11 "2015-08-23T00:58:08Z")
To quote [Dr. Evil and Scott from Goldmember](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0295178/quotes): > [@](#): > > Dr. Evil: Our early attempts at a tractor beam went through several preparations. Preparations A through G were a complete failure. But now, ladies and gentlemen, we finally have a working tractor beam, which we shall call… Preparation H. > > [Scott snickers] > > Dr. Evil: What? > > Scott Evil: Why don’t you just call it operation ass-cream, you ass. > > Dr. Evil: I’m sorry, did you say you want some ice cream? > > Scott Evil: Yes, I’d love some chocolate ass-cream. > > Dr. Evil: Perhaps later. > > Number 2: Dr. Evil, I love your plan. > > Dr. Evil: You do? > > Frau Farbissina: Yah. It’s a really good plan. > > Dr. Evil: Yes Frau, on the whole Preparation H feels good. > > [Scott resumes snickering] > > Dr. Evil: What is it now? > > Scott Evil: No, I totally agree with you. Preparation H does feel good… on the hole. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-preparation-h/19/12 "2015-08-23T01:16:34Z")
People are so strange