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Ask Shahnaz

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

I am a 19-year-old boy. I get white boils on my face and they leave marks on the skin. Sometimes, I break them. I use only ayurvedic soaps. After washing, my face turns oily soon. Please suggest a remedy. — Anbu

You should avoid squeezing or breaking the boils or pimples, because there is a chance of infection and scarring. You should wash your face only twice a day. Mix rose water with lemon juice in equal quantity and apply it on the face daily. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Apply sandalwood paste on the boils daily and leave it on for at least one hour.

I have wavy hair. I have tried a reputed company's wave control shampoo. But it does not seem to work. Will my hair drop if I iron it? I am already suffering from hair loss. Also please suggest a way of lightening my complexion. — Sonal

Applying direct heat to the hair repeatedly can damage it and make it brittle. It may also turn the hair rough. Hair loss can occur due to nutritional deficiencies, colouring, straightening or stress. Use a mild herbal shampoo and apply oil the night before shampooing. You can apply a conditioner after shampooing, as it would help soften the hair. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements. You can apply one part of rose water mixed with two parts of lemon juice daily on the face, washing it off after 20 minutes.

I am 16. I have an oily face and my hands are rough. My brother is 21. He has dandruff. He applies a green apple shampoo, but in vain. He too has oily skin. Please suggest remedies. — Savitha

For oily skin, mix two parts of astringent with one part of rose water and wipe the face with it, using cotton wool, twice a day. You can also use a mask. Mixing multani mitti with rose water and apply it on the face. Wash it off when it dries. This helps reduce oiliness. It can be done daily, or three or four times a week. For the hands, massage with sesame seed oil before a bath. Immediately after a bath, apply cream and massage it into the skin. You can also apply cream immediately after using soap for washing. For dandruff, your brother can take one tablespoon of vinegar and massage it lightly into the scalp half an hour before washing his hair. He should wash his hair three or four times a week, using less shampoo and rinsing it well with water.

I am 49 and have been suffering from severe hair loss for the past three years. — Shantha

Some of the reasons for hair loss are dandruff, stress, thyroid imbalance, illness, nutritional deficiencies, menopause, hair damage caused by repeated dyeing, colouring, perming and straightening. So, try to identify the cause in your case. Apply oil once a week, the night before shampooing. Avoid massaging the head. You can apply a herbal hair tonic or a vitaliser. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements. Also check with your doctor about a thyroid imbalance, which can be determined by a simple blood test and can be treated with medication.

I started getting pimples all of a sudden. It could be due to stress. I tried many treatments, but the pimple marks have become prominent. Can you suggest a home remedy? I heard curd and honey are good. — Rekha

If you do not have too many pimples now, you can follow the rice powder and curd remedy. The mixture should be applied on the marks and rubbed gently with small circular movements. Leave it on for five minutes and wash it off with water. You can apply curd on the entire face and wash it off after 20 minutes. It helps control pimples. Or, you can mix honey and lemon juice and apply it on the marks, washing it off after 20 minutes. Curd may be applied on the face daily. It helps check a pimple condition.

I have dry and curly hair. Can you suggest a way to make it soft and silky? Is honey good for the hair? How can I use it? — Sruji

Once or twice a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply it on the scalp and the hair. 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. Use a mild herbal shampoo. You can apply a conditioner after shampooing. Leave it on for a minute or two before rinsing it off. You can also mix pure almond oil with egg yolk and apply it half an hour before shampooing your hair. Honey is good for dry hair. You can add a teaspoon of honey to a mug of water, mix it well and use it as the last rinse. It will help moisturise and soften the hair.

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