/oss/taxonomy/term/2645/all en /oss/article/science-science-everywhere-you-asked/why-did-cleopatra-supposedly-bathe-sour-donkey-milk <p><a href="http://blogs.mcgill.ca/oss/?p=4336"><img alt="" height="150" src="http://blogs.mcgill.ca/oss/files/2013/03/milk-bath-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a>To improve the appearance of her skin by reducing wrinkles. When milk sours, the milk sugar lactose is converted by bacteria into lactic acid. When alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid, are applied to the skin they cause the surface layer to peel off, leaving new smoother blemish-free skin underneath. It is questionable whether sour milk has enough lactic acid to rejuvenate the skin, but modern cosmetics which contain at least 8% alpha hydroxyl acids can reduce minor wrinkles. A truly effective chemical peel, though, requires the application of irritants such as trichloroacetic acid or phenol to the skin by a physician. The corrosive effect causes burning and stinging for several minutes followed by reddening and peeling of the skin over the next few days. As this happens, new skin with a more youthful appearance forms. Chemical peeling is not a pleasant procedure and the unsightly scab formation can be psychologically disturbing. Most patients are not ready for public viewing for several weeks but in the end they tend to be satisfied with the results. <a href="/oss/why-did-cleopatra-supposedly-bathe-in-sour-donkey-milk/">Read more</a></p> Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:54:18 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1885 at /oss /oss/article/drugs-quirky-science/ballistic-bomb <p>The Ballistic Bomb is a hardened cake of chemicals that is designed to be dropped into the bath water. It produces vigorous fizzing, supposedly the cause of pleasure in the "Southern Hemisphere," while releasing a plethora of scents which claim to relax the bather and put a smile on his or her face. Different bombs have different scents. They range from "aphrodisiac jasmine" and "soothing rose" to "Sicilian orange" and "neroli" which costs "an absolute fortune" but is guaranteed to put anyone in a good mood.</p> Tue, 25 Dec 2012 03:17:24 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1845 at /oss