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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 18 and have excess hair on my hands and legs. Shaving and waxing cause skin allergy. Suggest a home remedy. My other problems are dandruff and lice. — Narayani

Waxing is the best method to remove hair from the arms and the legs. Hot wax is made with sugar and lemon, which are natural ingredients. Application of turmeric powder on the body over a period of time is said to inhibit hair growth. If one follows such remedies, one has to be patient to see results. You can try an epilator on the hands and the legs. It is a small gadget, which removes hair by its roots. The hair has to be of a certain length for epilation to be successful. For dandruff, apply one tablespoon of vinegar on the scalp, half an hour before shampooing. Wash your hair thrice a week. For lice, use anti-lice shampoo once a week. The nits (eggs) have to be removed by hand, one by one. Apply henna once a week. It will help control both dandruff and lice. Add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs, two teaspoons of methi seed powder and enough curd to the henna powder, mixing it to 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.

Can you tell me how to lighten stretch marks? I get dark marks at the corner of my lips only during winter, but it takes a while to disappear. — Maria

Stretch marks are difficult to remove totally. You can lighten them by massaging til oil daily before a bath. Mix besan with curd and a pinch of turmeric. Apply the paste on the area and wash it off when it dries. For the dark marks at the corners of the lips, apply cream of milk daily. At night, apply a cream or almond oil and leave it on.

I have combination skin. I tried to use a moisturiser at bedtime, but I got pimples. I have some open pores too. Is it necessary to use a moisturiser daily? My body complexion is not even. What should I use for tanned skin? I bleached my skin for two years. Now I have dark circles and the skin under the eyes is very thin. Is it due to bleaching? — Priya

Unless the skin is very dry, creams or moisturisers should not be left on overnight. Combination skins have oily areas, which are prone to pimples. Mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of curd and apply. Honey is a natural moisturiser. Wash it off with plain water after 20 minutes. It would suit a combination skin and also lighten the skin colour with daily use over a period of time. For the body, besan mixed with curd and a little bit of haldi (turmeric) makes a good pack. Wash it off after 30 minutes. The under-eye area is very delicate. Bleach should not be applied. You can apply honey mixed with lemon juice under the eyes daily. Wash it off with plain water after 15 minutes.

I am 21. My hair is getting weaker and drier everyday. I want to grow my hair longer and thicker. You've said vitamin and mineral supplements should be taken. Can you suggest a diet? I also have dark marks on my nose and dark patches on my forehead and neck. — J. Javees

Take regular oil treatment. Heat the oil before applying. You can mix one tablespoon of pure coconut oil with one teaspoon of castor oil. Rinse well with water. Use less shampoo, unless you have applied oil. Eat a small bowl of sprouts daily.

They contain amino acids and strengthen the hair. Ensure that your diet contains adequate protein, which is available in dals, beans, curd, paneer, eggs, fish and chicken. Have fresh fruits and raw salads. Along with this, take vitamin supplements prescribed by a doctor for some time. For dark marks and dark areas, use the rice powder and curd facial scrub daily. Mix besan, curd and a little turmeric and apply the paste on the dark areas of your forehead and neck 20 minutes before a bath.

What is the remedy for stretch marks on the body? I can't wear sleeveless or half-sleeved tops. I get tanned soon despite using a sunscreen lotion. — Vasila and Tanveer

Stretch marks form when there is weight loss after weight gain, due to loss of elasticity of the skin. If they are dark, they may fade with time. You can apply til oil daily on the area, massaging it into the skin. Body scrubs also help. You can mix besan, curd and a little haldi and apply it daily. Wash it off when it dries. Sunscreen lotions provide protection from the damage caused by UV rays. They may not prevent tanning.

My skin becomes absolutely dry when exposed to the sun or when I am in an air-conditioned room, but it becomes oily when it is humid or when I apply a moisturiser. — Kadu

This problem may mean that there is dryness of the outermost layer of the skin. Apply a sunscreen lotion before going out. Most sunscreen lotions also moisturise the skin. If you have to spend long hours in an air-conditioned room, apply a moisturiser. Avoid applying moisturisers in humid weather. Use a facial scrub twice or thrice a week. This may help remove the build-up of dead cells and allow better absorption of moisturisers and prevent excessive dryness.

My skin is becoming dull. Please suggest a home remedy. — Veena

You can easily mix a scrub at home. Mix rice powder with curd or rose water. Or, you can mix ground almonds with milk or curd. The scrub should be rubbed gently on the skin and washed off with water. Do this once or twice a week. Use rose water daily for toning the skin; apply it with cotton wool. Once a week, use a facemask, by mixing three teaspoons of choker with one teaspoon each of ground almonds, curd, egg white (or rose water) and honey. A nutritious diet and exercise also add glow to the skin.

I have a lot of grey hair. I used to apply colour, but it leads to hair loss. Suggest a natural remedy. — Helen

Henna is the only natural colorant that can be used. Henna will colour the white hair reddish brown. However, amla added to henna is said to check greying. 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 and mix it into a thick paste.

Apply this on the hair 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.

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