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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 16 and I have started getting dark circles. I have some pimples and a black mark on my nose. I have put on weight after I gave up dancing. How can I reduce weight and be as beautiful as I was? — Shweta

Dark circles may be due to hereditary factors, nutritional deficiencies, stress or inadequate sleep. So, along with external care, you should check these aspects of your lifestyle. For dark circles, mix cucumber juice with lemon juice in equal quantities and apply it daily. Wash it off after 15 minutes. Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements. Do deep breathing (pranayama) exercises. Apply sandalwood paste on the pimples. Use a facial scrub on the black mark on the nose. Mix a few drops of honey with lemon juice and apply it on the mark daily.

I have short and thin hair. I have been applying oil at night and egg white the following morning and washing my hair every alternate day. Is this treatment right? Or, please suggest an alternative. I have no dandruff. — Nithya

The texture of your hair may be thin, since you do not have any hair loss problem. You can apply oil only once or twice a week. You can continue to apply egg half an hour before washing the hair. Apply henna once a week. This will give body to the hair. 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.

I have been fighting dandruff for the past seven years. I tried many anti-dandruff shampoos, but in vain. I wash my hair daily, but my scalp becomes dry leading to the formation of dead skin. There is severe hair loss too. I have small eruptions on the face. Are they due to dandruff? — Zeener

Dandruff can cause hair loss. You should use a mild herbal shampoo. Wash your hair daily, using less shampoo and rinse well. Apply a herbal hair tonic daily.

Also, one hour before washing the hair, apply one tablespoon of vinegar and massage it into the scalp. Once a week, heat pure coconut oil or til oil and apply it on the scalp with cotton wool. Avoid massage. Apply it at night and leave it on overnight. Wash your pillow cover, towel and comb daily in warm soapy water, after adding one teaspoon of Savlon antiseptic solution. Yes, the spots on the face are probably due to dandruff. Apply curd daily on the face and wash it off with water after 20 minutes. Wash your face with a medicated soap twice a day.

I tried your remedy, but how can I apply henna on my own? Do I need to go to a beauty parlour? Also, if I apply oil at night, will it not stain the pillowcase? — Lucy

It is difficult to apply henna on your own. Perhaps, you can get someone to help. If not, you can try it yourself by dividing the hair into sections.

Take each section and apply henna on both sides. Then wrap the section around the head. Repeat this with all the sections, one at a time till the entire hair is covered. After applying oil at night, you can tie a scarf around the head, or wear a shower cap.

I have dark brown hair. I was treated for jaundice and typhoid in December 2005. I have been losing hair ever since. Please suggest some nutritious diet and medicines to reduce hair loss. — S. Sivakumar.

Yes, illness can lead to hair loss. However, ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.

After consulting your doctor, include in your diet fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts, paneer and curd made from skimmed milk, dals, beans and soyabean. You can also apply a herbal hair tonic or vitaliser. Perhaps, a chemist or cosmetic shop can suggest one.

I want to try the honey and lemon remedy earlier suggested in this column. But I am worried whether honey will change the colour of my eyebrows to white. I also want to know whether this mixture can be applied on the hands and legs. — Geetha

There is no evidence to suggest that honey turns hair white. We have been using it in skin and hair treatments for the past three decades.

In fact, honey contains vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Yes, you can apply the mixture on the hands and legs.

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