It’s the pits for calamansi

Q. Hi, Bon! I just read in your column about the wonders of calamansi. However, I would like to ask some questions regarding this matter: 1) After applying the calamansi juice after bathing, do I have to rinse it off? and 2) Do I have to use deodorant (as I usually do) after applying? Also, I hope you could also help me with these other questions: 3) I am using a Braun electronic toothbrush distributed by Gillette. Since it comes with a rechargeable battery whose life is for one year, it does not work anymore. This is the same case as my previous one, which is beyond repair. I’ve asked someone in Manila to call up Gillette to see if I could buy the toothbrush only since I still have the charger. The response was negative and they said that I have to buy the whole set, which is very expensive. I was hoping to reach the Gillette management through your column since I am living in the province. I can still use my charger but the toothbrush is already defective, 4) I also would like to request that the local producer of Secret deodorant continue manufacturing the unscented ones. My family has been using Secret deodorant but we have to buy the imported ones since the locally manufactured ones are all scented and we do not like these ones. We are requesting them to please manufacture unscented deodorants so that we will be no longer buying the imported ones, which are very costly, 5) Does the reader who has the herbal hair grower have an e-mail address so that we can save money on calling her long distance since we reside in the province? Thank you for your help and more power to your column. - Lilian C., Cagayan de Oro, statecdo@mozcom.com

Q. Dear Bon, I’ve read from your column in the Philippine STAR online edition about using calamansi as an underarm whitener. Do I need to put deodorant after? How much will I need when I use lemon? I hope the results will be the same because it is sometimes harder to find calamansi than lemons here in the US. More power! - Kimy, New York

Q. Re: calamansi as a whitener, would it be all right to squeeze the calamansi and then store the remainder in the refrigerator or can I just apply them directly to my underarms without the use of a washcloth? - Ginny, Florida

Q. I’ve read in your column about a reader who said that rubbing calamansi will make my armpits whiter. Should I let it stay for a few minutes? If so, how long? Thank you very much. I hope to hear from you soon. - Trisha888

A. Thank you, dear readers for all your queries. For those directed to manufacturers or distributors of the Braun electric toothbrush and Secret deodorant, we hope that someone from their customer service office manages to read our column and addresess your needs and requests directly through the e-mail address that you provided. It does sound illogical for a manufacturing company not to allow consumers to purchase or replace individually defective components of a whole set. It seems from the problem you describe that consumers are forced to buy the entire suite of products even if only one part (the toothbrush) is defective despite the fact that the other part (the rechargeable battery) works fine. For our dear readers’ questions on the use of calamansi, you may want to allow the juice to dry up for a few minutes because wiping your underarms dry will simply remove the calamansi that you just applied and effectively produce zero results. You may use deodorant as you normally do, especially if it has worked for you in the past. Instead of substituting with a lemon, try a lime instead since this is more closely related to our Philippine lime. Either way of applying the calamansi is fine as long as you go with what feels most comfortable. The point is to be able to rub the fresh limejuice into the darkened area of your skin. Whether you rub the calamansi fruit directly on your skin or use a washcloth that has been dipped in the juice is fine. Good luck!

* * * Can Vitamins Lengthen Our Lives?

Q. Dear Ma’m, are anti-aging supplements effective and safe? - Jr. Tom, My. Smart

A. Here’s my amateur response to such a vital question on every man’s (and woman’s) mind: I don’t think that there are any conclusive health and well-being studies out there yet that unequivocally declare certain vitamin supplements as safe and effective in turning the aging process around. If not, we’d all be right there faster than you can blink swallowing that youth pill, right? Perhaps, maybe, some vitamins help our bodies maintain a nutritional regime that balances proper nutrient absorption and strengthens our antibody defenses against atrophy and disease. When coupled with the proper intake of water, plant- and animal-based food and shaped with constant cardiovascular exercise, the balance translates into longer living, most likely of the healthier kind.

* * * Haggling for Second-Hand Ceramics

Q. I read somewhere about some stores selling second-hand water closets where you have to haggle for the price. Do you know of such stores? Where are they located? How much do these second-hand items cost so I can have an idea when I do buy one, as the brand-new ones are a drain on my pocket? - Dodong Cabreros

A. Sorry, dear reader, I’m not really sure where you can haggle for second-hand ceramic closets, but you could try to find out from local builders and construction companies. Check out some builders’ warehouse depots or home depots, which usually carry a variety of manufactured brands (mostly brand new) with a range of prices. There might be a range within which you feel comfortable spending.

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