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Ask Shahnaz

Beautician Shahnaz Hussain offers beauty tips and answer queries. You can send your queries to shahnaz_press@yahoo.co.in

I had chicken pox when I was 15. It left a pit on my face in between the eyebrows. It looks ugly. I also have an oily skin and have tried various creams such as lacto calamine, but in vain. — Deborima

Lacto calamine will not help eliminate scars. In fact, if there is a pit, there is destruction of skin tissue. Mix rice powder with curd and apply it on the area. Rub gently with a fingertip, using circular movements, first clockwise and then anticlockwise. Leave it on for five minutes and wash it off with water. Apply a little Vitamin E oil and massage it into the skin where the pit is. Do not apply the Vitamin E oil on other areas, since you have oily skin.

I am 29 and want to have a good figure. Fat has accumulated around my lower waist. I do side bends but it doesn't help. Suggest some exercises. — B. Subhashree

You should learn Yoga, which helps both body and mind. There are very good asanas for the waist. It is best to do them under supervision till you learn them and can do them on your own.

My problem is dandruff and I have tried many good conditioners for dry hair, but there is no improvement. Tell me how to select a good after wash conditioner and make my hair soft, healthy, shiny and dandruff-free. — Ammu

When you have dandruff, your scalp may be oily and your hair dry. This is because dandruff clogs the pores of the scalp and interferes with the distribution of natural oil. You should not use a conditioner, as it can aggravate dandruff. Once a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply it on the scalp using cotton wool, rubbing gently to dislodge the flakes. Leave it on overnight. Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash your hair after half an hour. Use a mild herbal shampoo at least thrice a week. On days when you have not applied oil, take one tablespoon of vinegar and massage it lightly all over the scalp. Wash your hair after half an hour. Once a week, apply henna. Add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs and enough curd to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. Apply it on the hair and wash it off after an hour with plain water. If you do not wish to use egg, add more curd.

I am a man aged 27. I still have pimples and acne on my forehead and cheeks. I also have boils on the face, back and shoulders. They leave black dots. My skin is oily. It appears dry after every wash and turns oily a few minutes later. Suggest a home remedy and a suitable diet. — Santhakumar

You should check if you have dandruff too, as it often causes pimples on the forehead, back and the shoulders. You seem to have an acne condition. You should not squeeze any of the eruptions, otherwise they will leave scars. Wash your face with a medicated soap only twice a day. Mix one part of rose water with two parts of astringent and apply it on the face and on the eruptions on the back and shoulders twice a day, using cotton wool. Apply an anti-acne lotion on the eruptions daily. Perhaps, you can ask your chemist or cosmetic store to suggest one. Once a day at anytime, apply curd on the face and wash it off after 20 minutes. Avoid fried foods and too many sweets. Include fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts and curd in your daily diet. Drink six to eight glasses of water daily.

When I go out even for a day, my skin gets tanned. It is very sensitive, oily and prone to pimples. Is it advisable to use fairness creams to improve my complexion? Also suggest a daily home facial. You had earlier suggested that egg with mehendi be used. Should I use the white or the yolk? I would like to know if mehendi is all right for those who suffer from sinusitis? — Sara

If your skin is sensitive to the sun, you should apply a sunscreen before going out. However, since your skin is oily, add a drop or two of water to the sunscreen and then apply it. Wash your face with a medicated soap only twice daily. Mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of lemon juice and apply it on the face daily. Wash it off after 20 minutes. First apply it on a small area since your skin is sensitive. Avoid creams if your skin is oily and prone to pimples. You can seek advice at a skin care clinic. With mehendi, the whole egg should be used. If you have a sinus problem, consult your doctor about using mehendi.

I wear spectacles, which have left dark marks on both sides of my nose. Suggest a home remedy. Can coconut milk be applied to the face? One of my friends said it adds a glow to the skin. — Shobha

You can use a facial scrub on the area. The rice powder and curd mixture, mentioned in this column several times, should help. You can also apply the honey and lemon juice mixture daily. Perhaps, you can change your spectacle frame. Some materials may react on the skin and leave marks. If the skin is not too oily or prone to blackheads and pimples, you can apply coconut milk on the face.

For the past 15 days I have been suffering from severe itching all over my head. There is no dandruff. I applied fenugreek powder, but no use. Can you suggest a remedy as early as possible? — Usha

Fenugreek powder was advised for dandruff or lice infestations and not for all scalp conditions. Severe itching can be caused by other scalp disorders, like psoriasis, for example. Consult a dermatologist as soon as possible.

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