INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you are interested in taking lysine, your doctor will be able to advise you about the supplement. They can also consult with you about any possible drug interactions you should be cautious about when taking lysine, such as if you take calcium. A naturopathic doctor, someone who focuses on natural therapies, may be more likely to suggest lysine than other doctors. While there needs to be more scientific research done on how much lysine to take, it is generally advisable to take approximately 1000mg per day. A person's general daily dietary requirement for lysine is 8 grams a day. Adding 1000mg daily with a supplement will help offset a small deficit in that dietary requirement.  Even if you have a diet high in lysine, taking a supplement is typically fine. Recommended dosing for lysine varies dramatically. Any amount between 500mg and 3000mg per day may be recommended by your doctor or naturopath. Any dose under 8 grams is not likely to be toxic, but always follow your doctor's instructions. Foods that are high in arginine, such as chocolate, nuts, and dairy, can minimize the effectiveness of lysine supplements because it will lower your level of lysine. This is because it uses the same body pathways as lysine. Additionally, high arginine foods can actually make cold sores worse, so they should be avoided in general if you have a herpes simplex infection. One side effect of taking lysine is that it can cause you to absorb more calcium than normal. If you take a calcium supplement, only a portion of that supplement is normally absorbed by the body. Combined with lysine, you may absorb more than you need.  Talk to your doctor before combining these 2 supplements. Consider limiting calcium-rich foods, such as milk, as well if you tend to eat a lot of them. Lysine supplements are usually taken to prevent cold sores before they appear, but if you are not already taking them, it can be helpful in reducing the symptoms of an outbreak as well. Follow the directions on the supplements packaging and be consistent about taking it for as long as an outbreak lasts.  If you have cold sores caused by the herpes virus, talk to your doctor about whether lysine might help with your outbreaks.  There are other treatments for cold sores that have been well researched. If you have frequent outbreaks of cold sores, talk to your doctor about taking an antiviral medication that will prevent outbreaks. There is some scientific research that supports the use of lysine for cold sores, and a lot of anecdotal stories about its success. However, more scientific work is needed to truly verify its effectiveness on cold sores and other conditions, such as osteoporosis and anxiety. Keep this uncertainty in mind when taking lysine, as it's important to use caution when taking it and so that you manage your expectations about its effectiveness.

SUMMARY: Consult your doctor before taking lysine supplements. Take around 1000mg per day. Avoid a diet high in arginine-containing foods. Do not take large amounts of calcium when taking lysine. Take lysine supplements when you feel cold sores coming on. Be aware of the limited research on using lysine to treat medical issues.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Use a five-blade manual razor to reduce the chance of cutting yourself. Start off with a brand new blade, since you will most likely have a whole lot of hair to get rid of. Keep a few extra replacement heads on hand in case the original blades begin to dull during your shave. Rinse the blades under hot water before you start. This will lubricate them and provide a smoother shave. Take another shower while you shave. Or draw a bath. Or simply sit on the rim and use the tub to catch your hairs as you shave them off. This way, all you have to do to clean up is simply wash the hairs down the pipes. Although you could also use the tub to catch your hairs when you first trim them with the scissors or electric groomer as part of your prep, these longer hairs are more likely to clog your drain. Use a shaving cream that forms a nice, thick, easy-to-spot lather. Avoid thinner, translucent, or transparent creams, which may make it easier for you to miss spots. Remember that, unlike your face, you will be shaving areas that you will have to bend and twist to see. Make the job easier by using a product that catches the eye.  If this is your first time, shaving both legs will probably take a while. To keep your lather from drying out, break each leg up into parts (left calf, right calf, etc.). Only lather the area that you plan to start with. Then, once that area has been shaved, lather and shave the next, and so on.  For best results, pick a product that is rich in lubricants and moisturizers. Avoid lower-tier brands that create excessive foam. With so much area to cover, this project is going to take time. Consider how well you handle lengthy projects in general. Come up with an attack plan. Think about the following:  Thicker areas will likely clog and/or dull your razor right from the start. Starting with the thinnest patches of hairs will probably extend a blade’s usefulness. Unlike shaving your face, you will be dealing with areas that are hard to see. Also, if you are shaving your genitals along with your legs, you undoubtedly want to treat these with extra care. If you tend to rush projects as you approach the end, start with these more delicate tasks and leave the easy stuff for later. Keep your strokes short to prevent your blades from clogging. Rinse the razor frequently under hot water to remove hairs and shaving cream. Keep your pressure on the blade as light as possible. Replace the blades if you are unable to remove hairs without applying a great deal of pressure, since this probably means they are either too dull or too clogged to be any good.  To avoid nicks, razor bumps, and irritation, shave with the grain, in the direction that your hair grows. But if what you want is the closest shave possible, shave against the grain.  Use a handheld mirror to see what you’re doing when you reach the back of your thighs and higher.

SUMMARY:
Use the right razor. Get back into the tub. Lather your legs. Choose where to begin shaving. Begin shaving.