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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 have been applying curd on my face as advised by you. I find my skin smooth now. The pimples are less severe, but the spots remain for a long time. I have pigmentation on my chin and at the corners of my mouth and forehead and white heads on my nose and chin. I have been applying kheera juice and oatmeal on my face daily and do not scrub my face. How can I get a uniform complexion? — Sunela

I am glad the curd treatment helped your pimple problem. Scrubs should not be used on pimples, but you can use them on the areas that have spots, whiteheads and pigmentation. Mix rice powder with curd and use it as a scrub. Apply it on these areas, avoiding pimples. Rub gently on the skin with small circular movements. Leave it on for five minutes and wash it off with water. You can mix half a teaspoon of honey with one teaspoon of lemon juice and apply it on the dark areas, to make the complexion uniform. Wash it off after 20 minutes.

I am a boy aged 18. I have pimples. When I squeeze them they start spreading. Is there any natural way to get rid of them? I also have a hereditary problem of hair loss. What should I do? I have tried many medicines. — Silver Prince

Stop squeezing the pimples. This can worsen the condition and cause it to spread and leave marks. Apply curd on the face daily and wash it off after 20 minutes. Apply sandalwood paste on the pimples. Apply a herbal hair tonic daily. Ask your doctor to prescribe Vitamins B-Complex and C.

How can I increase my bustline? Will oil massage help? — Hema

The breasts themselves do not contain muscles. They are supported by the pectoral (shoulder) muscles. So, you have to exercise these to increase your bustline. In fact, to reduce the bustline too, the same exercises can be done. Join the palms together at waist level, with elbows out. Press the palms together for a count of ten. Now bring the palms up at bust level and repeat the same exercise. Relax and repeat the exercise for 10 times. The second exercise has to be done standing with the feet slightly apart. Stretch the arms out to the sides and rotate them, making wide circles, first clockwise and then anti-clockwise. While doing this exercise, the shoulders should move too.

I was earlier suffering from pimples. And I started using an astringent and got good results. Now pimples are rare. I would like to know whether it is safe to use an astringent regularly or should I use any associated product to reduce the possible harm? At present, I clean my face with astringent once in two days. — Jay

Since pimples occur on oily skin, an astringent does help to control the condition. If your skin is oily, you can continue to use the astringent. Basically, an astringent helps reduce oiliness. It can make the skin dry, so you can apply honey or curd on the face daily and wash it off after 15 minutes with plain water. This will counteract the drying effect. If your skin is prone to pimples, it is better not to use any cream.

For the last five years my hair has been thinning. I have a 2-year-old child. After delivery, the hair became thick, then it started shedding, especially in front. I am using dandruff shampoo and hair colour. Please suggest a solution. — Amy

You have not mentioned if you have dandruff. Yet, you are using a dandruff shampoo. You should use a mild herbal shampoo and use less shampoo. Avoid massaging the head. You seem to be suffering from stress and anxiety and this can aggravate the problem. You should consult a dermatologist or trichologist to find out if you are suffering from a condition called alopecia. If so, the doctor may suggest some medication. Ask your doctor about a possible thyroid imbalance, which can also cause hair loss. This can be detected by a simple blood test and can be corrected with medication. You can also take clinical hair treatments, which will help stimulate the follicles. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements. Do some deep breathing exercises daily. You should sit down in front of an open window and inhale and exhale deeply and slowly. This helps reduce stress.

I have oily skin. I have tried using a fairness cream, but in vain. In the morning my face looks great, but by the time I return from office my skin looks terrible, because it is oily. I started using an astringent but it was of no use. I have dry hair and use a conditioner. Should I continue to use it? Can you suggest tips for healthy hair and skin? — Natasha

Actually, astringents help reduce oiliness. You can mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of lemon juice and apply it daily, washing it off after 20 minutes.

Carry a skin tonic or astringent in your handbag along with tissues. Wipe your face with it during the day. This will help refresh your skin and remove oil. Cleansing pads and wet tissues are also available, which can be carried to refresh the skin. For dry hair, heat pure coconut oil and apply it on the scalp and hair once or twice a week. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the towel around the head, like a turban.

Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. This helps the hair and the scalp absorb the oil better. Leave the oil on overnight and wash the hair the following morning. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Use less shampoo and rinse well with water. A conditioner would help dry hair.

I have tiny warts and black spots on my face. Can you suggest ways of removing them? I also have small black patches on my forehead, by the side of my nose and around my neck. I have been wearing gold chains for some years. Is it because of the chains that I have developed the patches around my neck? — Vanaja

For warts, you can try homeopathy. Warts can occur due to a viral infection. What are these black spots? If they are "tils" or "beauty spots," they would be difficult to remove totally. You can use a facial scrub on the black spots and the black patches on the forehead, nose and neck.

Mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of lemon juice and apply it on these dark areas daily.

Wash it off after 20 minutes. Gold is not known to leave pigmented patches on the skin.

Moreover, you have it on your forehead too. You should use a sunscreen before going out in the sun.

My hair is thin and I lose 20 to 30 strands daily. My father is bald in front. My scalp is visible when I apply oil. Could you suggest a remedy? — Sathish

In men, hair loss can be due to hereditary or hormonal factors. Avoid massage. You should apply a hair tonic or a vitaliser daily; your chemist or cosmetic store may suggest one. Sometimes clinical scalp treatments, which stimulate the follicles, can help.

Ask your doctor to prescribe Vitamins B-Complex and C. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and do some deep breathing exercises, like pranayama.

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