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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 19. I had black dots on my cheeks and forehead. The curd and honey treatment suggested by you was effective. Now, my problem is my hair is very rough. Even though I wash my hair twice a week, there is no change. The ground water in our area has a high salt content. I don't know if this is the reason. Please tell me how to turn my hair silky and shiny. — Shiv Shakti Balan

You should wash your hair more often than twice a week. Use less shampoo and rinse well. Yes, water with a high salt content will make the hair rough and tangled. You can use a conditioner after a shampoo wash. This may help to some extent. If possible, you can use a bottle of mineral water as a last rinse. You can also apply curd or egg yolk half an hour before shampooing. This helps soften the hair.

Though my hair is fairly long, it breaks easily. What should I do to have thick hair? Also, I have pimples on my face. Please suggest a remedy for that too. — Akshaye

You hair may be oily. Use a mild herbal shampoo. After shampooing, add the juice of a lemon to half a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. Apply henna once a week. This helps strengthen the hair and adds body.

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. If you do not wish to use egg, add more curd.

Apply a herbal hair tonic daily. For pimples, wash your face with a medicated soap morning and night. Apply curd on the face daily and wash it off after 20 minutes. Apply sandalwood paste on the pimples.

I was told that multani mitti is good for oily skin. What exactly is multani mitti? How should it be used, how often and with what other ingredients? — Zubeida

Multani mitti is also called Fuller's Earth. It is natural, powdered clay. It absorbs oil and this helps reduce oiliness. You can make a paste with multani mitti and hot water.

When it cools, you can add curd for a smoother consistency and apply it like a mask.

Wash it off after 20 minutes. Or, make a paste of multani mitti and rose water and apply it.

Wash it off when it dries.

It may be used daily if the skin is very oily. Or, use it two or three times a week.

I am dark complexioned. How can I lighten my complexion? Which bleach should I use? I also suffer from hair loss and my hair has become thin and brittle. What should I do to have long, thick and shiny hair. Which shampoo and hair oil should I use? — Priti

If your dark skin is due to hereditary factors, it will be difficult to lighten it. However, if it is due to tanning caused by sun-exposure, it may be possible to remove the tan. It takes time, because every time the skin is exposed to the sun, it gets tanned. So, you should avoid sun-exposure as far as possible. Carry a parasol when you are out in the sun. I do not recommend bleaching. If you wish to use a bleach, you will have to visit a beauty salon. You can use a facial scrub according to your skin type. Try the honey and lemon mixture daily, by mixing one part of honey with two parts of lemon juice. Apply it on the entire face and wash it off when it dries. For your hair, mix one tablespoon of pure coconut oil with one teaspoon of castor oil. Heat it and apply it on the hair. Avoid massage. Leave it on overnight and wash your hair the next morning. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Apply henna once a week as mentioned earlier in this column. A good diet is important for the hair. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.

I have oily and dark skin. Can you suggest what cream I should use during the day and night? Is facial good for me? — Deepti

Creams are not advisable for oily skin. For the day, try to get an all-purpose cream for oily skin, with a matte finish. A vanishing cream may help. Wipe the skin with an astringent and then apply the cream. You should use a sunscreen lotion. Add a drop or two of water to the lotion and then apply, to give lighter coverage. Two or three times a week, mix multani mitti with rose water to make a paste and apply it on the face, washing it off when it dries. It helps reduce oiliness. You should not have a facial massage. If you go for a salon facial, you should have cleansing, toning and mask.

I would like to know whether sitting in an air-conditioned room continuously would darken the skin. If so, what should be done to prevent it? I am fair and have normal skin. — Sunitha

Sitting in an air-conditioned room will not change the colour of the skin. However, it may leave the skin dry, since air-conditioning reduces humidity or moisture. This may make the skin appear slightly dark. Also, lack of moisture in the skin may make it more vulnerable to sun-exposure. You should keep your skin well-moisturised. You can apply a sunscreen before going out in the sun. During the day, wipe the skin with a wet tissue or cleansing pad (both are available) and then apply a moisturising lotion. You can follow a nighttime routine.

First cleanse the skin with a cleansing gel, or wash with a mild glycerine soap. Then apply a nourishing cream and massage it on the skin with a few drops of water. Wipe it off with moist cotton wool. Applying honey on the face daily and wash it off after 20 minutes. It helps keep the skin soft and healthy.

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