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ASK SHAHNAZ

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

I am a 25-year-old male. My hair is dull, rough and lifeless. I have lots of grey hair and also suffer from hair loss. I wash my hair thrice a week, but a lot of flakes are present. I want to try different hairstyles, but the hairdresser says it is not possible. I read that a combination of pure Vitamin E oil, Jojoba oil, Rosemary Oil and Peppermint Oil applied at bedtime stimulates growth. Is this true? — Hariharen

If you have flakes, it must be dandruff. Wash your hair daily, but use less quantity of a mild herbal shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of vinegar on the scalp half an hour before shampooing your hair. It should be massaged lightly into the scalp. Have henna treatment once a week. Adding amla will help check greying. However, henna leaves a reddish brown colour on white hair. Soak a handful of dry amla in about two to three cups water overnight. Next morning, strain the water, but do not throw it away. Grind the amla and add it to the henna powder, along with four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs and enough amla water, so that it becomes a thick paste. Apply it to cover the entire head. Keep it on for two hours and wash it off. This will solve the dandruff problem and add life to the hair. You can also apply the oils you mentioned. However, Rosemary Oil and Peppermint Oil are essential oils. Therefore, you must mix them in the appropriate ratio with the other oils. Rosemary helps treat dandruff, while Vitamin E and Jojoba are nourishing.

I am 11. I have a round face. How can I get an oval face? My fingers and toes are thick and short. I want them to be long and slim. I am also obese and have dark complexion. How can I get fair and glowing skin? I have pimples on my nose. How can I get rid of them? — Shruti

The shape of the face cannot be changed, because it is due to hereditary factors. But, when you are older, you can wear your hair in a style that suits your round face. You should take the advice of your parents and join a health clinic or gym, which will help you lose weight and follow a right diet. It is always better to do this under supervision. Include fresh fruits, salads, fresh fruit juices and curd in your daily diet. Avoid fried foods and too many sweets. Wash your face twice daily with a medicated soap. Mix half teaspoon of honey with one teaspoon of lemon juice and apply it daily on the face, washing it off after 20 minutes. Apply sandalwood paste on the pimples.

I have been getting pimples for the past 9 years and they have left dark marks and pits on my face. I try to keep my face as clean as possible, eat less oily food and it helps minimise the pimples. I was told that the problem would come to an end once I reached my twenties. But, I am nearly 24, and I still get pimples. I would like to go in for some treatment like microdermabrasion to lighten the marks. Can I undergo it when I have this condition?

The pimples may be occurring due to excessive oiliness of the skin, or you may be having acne, which takes long to heal. You should use a medicated soap only twice a day. Wipe the face with an astringent, using cotton wool. Apply curd daily on the entire face and wash it off after 20 minutes. This can help control acne. Avoid touching the pimples with your hands. You can apply an anti-pimple lotion daily on the eruptions. For microdermabrasion, you will have to consult a skin specialist or cosmetic surgeon. It is better if the acne subsides before you go in for it. But, the specialist will see the condition and advise accordingly.

My hair used to be thick. It has turned dull now. There is hair loss because of dandruff and the use of harsh shampoos. Which shampoo and hair oil should I use? — Sneha

Dandruff can cause hair loss. Some harsh shampoos can disrupt the normal acid-alkaline balance and stimulate the scalp further. You should use a mild herbal shampoo. Take less quantity, dilute it with a little water and then apply it. One application should be enough, unless you have applied oil. Rinse thoroughly. You can use pure coconut oil, or even pure olive oil or til oil. Heat the oil and apply it on the scalp using cotton wool. Leave it on overnight. Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash your hair after half an hour. Avoid massaging your head. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily. Include fresh fruits, raw salads and curd in your daily diet and drink six to eight glasses of water.

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