What is Preparation H?

Finding shortcuts to lose weight and look leaner have lead to many fad diets and interesting products that promise you unrealistic expectations. As a result this has exposed many unhealthy practices that people employ to get that immediate satisfaction.

But what if I told you there genuinely is a product that can make your stomach’s skin look tighter and appear to be more toned? Meet Preparation H.

Preparation H is a medication primarily used to relieve haemorrhoids by reducing the swelling in the tissue to provide immediate relief from any pain or discomfort.

This is achieved through the chemical compound known as ‘phenylephrine’.

How do people use it to look skinner and more toned?

Now before you read this, I am in no shape or form encouraging anyone to attempt this. The goal is to simply inform and expose trends that people use.

Preparation H’s potent ingredient is phenylephrine, which is a natural vasoconstrictor, meaning it constricts blood vessels.

The application process is simple.

Grab some Preparation H (or any cream that uses phenylephrine as its active ingredient) and apply it generously over your stomach. This is followed by wrapping your stomach with Saran Wrap/Cling Wrap and sleeping through the night with it.

Once you wake up, take off the wrap and any excess cream, you will notice a more toned and leaner look.

Not only are people using this for their stomach but also for puffy eyes!

This is due to the blood vessel constricting chemical removing any excess water from under the skin, giving it the ability to be applied to many areas of the body.

The catch is, this look is extremely temporary, a few hours at the most as it does not actually get rid of any fat or body weight. To genuinely maintain the look it gives, it would need to be applied regularly, however this will result in some serious skin conditions.

Excessive use will make the skin become very dry, scaly and look similar to eczema. However there is not enough research to confirm what else may stem from this. Keeping in mind that you are actively constricting the blood vessels in your stomach, which by the sounds of it may effect digestion or possibly exacerbate any pre-existing health conditions.

Not only that, several articles have promoted it as a miracle treatment with barely any mention of side effects, now that’s some serious misinformation.

After knowing this, you can imagine how bodybuilders, celebrities and influencers can look seriously lean and toned in their photoshoots after using some Preparation H and laxatives, giving a very deceiving look.

The main takeaway from this should be that there is no ‘magic cure’, making healthy lifestyle changes is always going to be the best approach to making a safe and permanent change.