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Ask Shahnaz

A TIP Apply curd on the face daily and wash it off after 20 minutes for a glowing skin

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

I am 17 and my nails are very thin. Even if they grow long, they break. I don't bite my nails. Suggest a home remedy for my problem. — Zoya

Diet is important for strong and healthy nails. If you have brittle nails, include protein and calcium in your diet. Sulphur, amino acids, phosphorous, Vitamins B and E are also important. You should include milk, curds, cottage cheese (paneer), fish, eggs, sprouts, dals, beans, peas, fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Dissolve one teaspoon of gelatine in a little boiling water, cool it and add it to milk or fruit juices. Take it for ten days. Gelatine is said to strengthen the nails.

I am 19 and my problem is severe hair fall. The coconut oil treatment suggested by you has helped control dandruff. But I continue to lose hair and get boils on my face. I apply sandalwood paste at night. — N. Nandini

If you have pimples on the face and also suffer from dandruff, your skin and scalp are both oily. You should wash your hair daily, using a mild herbal shampoo. Use less shampoo. Dilute it in a little water before applying it. Rinse thoroughly with water. Half an hour before shampooing, massage one tablespoon of vinegar lightly into the scalp. For the face, wash twice a day with a medicated soap. Apply curd on the face daily and wash it off after 20 minutes. Continue to apply sandalwood paste. Eat a small bowl of sprouts daily. Add the juice of a lemon and one teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water and have it first thing in the morning. Drink six to eight glasses of water daily.

I am suffering from prickly heat. How can I get rid of it? I have started using prickly heat powder. — Krishna Kumar

Using prickly heat powder should help. You can use a powder, which contains sandalwood. You can soak cotton wool or clean cloth in rose water and apply it on the rashes after your bath. Rose has a cooling effect. If there is itching, add two tablespoons of baking soda to half a bucket of water and use it as a last rinse.

I am 24 and for the past two months, I have been getting tiny holes on my face. I don't even use powder. What should I do? — Shabnam

These tiny "holes" may be open pores, which occur on oily skin or on oily areas of combination skin. Deep pore cleansing may help prevent them. Mix rice powder with curd and apply it on these areas. Rub gently with tiny circular movements. Leave it on for five minutes and wash it off with water. Mix oatmeal (which is used for making porridge) with egg white and apply it on these areas daily. Wash it off when it dries.

My recent problems are grey hair, dandruff and hair loss. I wash my hair thrice a week. My neck is becoming dark and my skin gets tanned rapidly. — Ramya

The treatment for dandruff has been mentioned several times in this column. Half an hour before washing your hair, apply vinegar and massage it lightly into the scalp. Once a week, mix one tablespoon of pure coconut oil and one teaspoon of castor oil. Heat it and apply it on the scalp at night. Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon or vinegar on the scalp and wash your hair after half an hour.

Apply henna once a week. However, henna leaves a reddish brown colour on white hair. Soak a handful of dry amla in about two to three cups of water overnight. Next morning, strain the water, but do not throw it away. Grind the amla. To the henna powder, add the ground amla, four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs and enough amla water so that the henna can be mixed into a thick paste. Apply this to cover the entire head.

Keep it on for two hours and wash it off with water. Ask your doctor to prescribe Vitamins B-Complex and C. Mix one part of rose water and two parts of lemon juice and apply it on the neck, washing it off after 20 minutes. Protect the neck with a scarf when you are out in the sun.

I am 26. My skin is oily but sometimes changes according to the season. My complexion has changed from fair to dark. I applied fairness creams, without result. I tried honey and lemon, but it did not suit my face. Now I am trying cucumber water with lemon, again without effect. After using lemon, my skin looks as if it is burnt. Someone suggested a scrub, which I used. Should I use anything after the scrub, since my face feels dry. — B. S. Mehra

You should not apply lemon. Perhaps, it does not suit your skin. So, you can try applying honey after using the scrub, since it is a moisturiser. It will help soften the skin. You can also apply curd daily on the skin. This is also said to lighten complexion over a period of time. However, one has to be patient. Also, try to protect the face from the sun by wearing a cap. You can also use a sunscreen for oily skin before going out in the sun. Your skin may be sensitive to sun-exposure. Re-apply the sunscreen if you are out in the sun for more than 20 to 30 minutes.

In my childhood I had a severe attack of chicken pox which left my lips dark. I have used many medicines, without result. Is there any remedy? — Venkat

You should apply pure almond oil daily on the lips. It is available as "badaam rogan." You should also apply cream of milk (malai) daily. After washing the face, rub the lips gently with a soft towel. This helps remove dead skin. The treatment may take time. You can also consult a dermatologist about it and ask if the application of Vitamin E oil will help.

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