The Wonders of Hydrogen Peroxide

Redlands Daily Facts Health Section
Staff Writer

Q: What is your favorite, all round, least expensive beauty product?

Mimi: I am so thrifty, there are several items that I use loads of. Hydrogen Peroxide is only 50 cents a bottle and is so versatile. I couldn't be without it.

H2O (water) is stable. It is perfectly happy being H2O. When you boil it for steam it is still H2O. When you freeze it to ice, it is still H2O. And when you drink it, it is still H2O.

However, add an extra Oxygen, and it is unstable. That free Oxygen wants to grab onto something to change from unstable H202 (hydrogen PER oxide) into H20, nice stable water. When it grabs onto something, it oxidizes. The oxidation can safely bleach and kill germs. Put the cap back on the bottle quickly so it doesn't lose its potency.

If you have read previous columns, then you know that hydrogen peroxide kills P. Acnes bacterium that causes acne. So it is a super toner for acne prone skin.

Hydrogen Peroxide will bleach nicotine stains from fingers and nails. Apply with a Q-tip and rub in several times a day.

Dip an orange stick in Hydrogen Peroxide to clean stains from under and around cuticles and nails. Mix a little Hydrogen Peroxide with a little sugar. Dip your thumb in the mixture and scrub yellowed fingernails. (Your thumb will tingle and turn white temporarily.)

Gargle with Hydrogen Peroxide to kill sulfur odors. Swish Hydrogen Peroxide through your teeth to brighten them. Don't do this more than once a week or you may experience sloughing of the skin.

Mix hydrogen Peroxide with soap flakes (not detergent), or with cornstarch to make a paste. Apply the paste to dark facial hair for 20 minutes to lighten it. Rinse off and apply a moisturizer. The more often that you apply the paste, the lighter the hair will become. Make up a fresh batch each time.

For diabetics with foot wounds, ask your doctor about soaking your feet in Hydrogen Peroxide.

Got a bloodstain on your shirt? Drop on some Hydrogen Peroxide and watch it bubble the stain away. To whiten and brighten clothes that shouldn't be bleached with chlorine, pour a cup of hydrogen peroxide in the washing machine with the detergent.

Mimi Barre is the owner of International Day Spa, 325 Cajon St., Redlands. Send your skin care questions to her at MimiB@INTLdayspa.com. She and her estheticians are available for personal consultations, (909) 793-9080.