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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

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. — 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.

The area around my knees and elbows is darker than my usual skin colour. — Nithya

The skin of the elbows and knees is thicker than that of the other parts of the body. Apply til oil daily on the knees and elbows, massaging it into the skin. While bathing, scrub the areas with a loofah. Rubbing gently with a pumice stone also helps. After bathing, take two lemon halves and rub them on the skin and wash it off after 15 minutes. Apply a body lotion or cream while the skin is still damp.

Please suggest some exercises for the rear. My body size is otherwise normal. — Sripriya

The body structure can be due to hereditary factors. The rear is a common problem spot. Yoga may help you. Learn it from a teacher and practise it daily. You can also do the following exercise. Lie on your stomach, resting your chin on your hands. Lift one leg at a time, without raising the hips off the floor. Hold the leg straight. Repeat the exercise five times with each leg. Increase gradually. It may be a good idea to take advice at a health club or gym, where exercise along with diet may be recommended. Wearing dark colours has a slimming effect.

I have dark circles around my eyes and black patches on the face. I have followed your suggestions, but they have not worked. I have also used dark circle removing creams but to no avail. Will facial help? — Chitra

For beauty treatments, a great deal of patience is required. There are no magic remedies. It takes time. You can try a facial at a good beauty salon. Massaging the area around the eyes may help. Since you have dark patches on the skin, the dark circles may also be due to sun-sensitivity. So, apply a sunscreen before going out in the sun. Apply the sunscreen sparingly around the eyes. Add a drop of water to provide a lighter coverage. You can also consult a dermatologist for treatment of the pigmented areas.

I have a round face. My hair is thin and straight. I want my hair to be short as I am not able to handle long hair. I sweat too much around the neck and behind the ears. My hair becomes completely wet causing discomfort. Could you please suggest a hairstyle that suits my face and also that will not cause sweating around the ears and the neck? — Richa

A round face needs a style that will lengthen it. A straight hairstyle, with a centre parting would help. Avoid styles that add width at the ear level. Keep the forehead free of fringes and curls. Hair falling straight down to shoulder level would be flattering. During the day, you could pin your hair up or tie it back loosely and leave it loose for the evening. You could consult a homeopath or dermatologist about treatment for excessive perspiration. Anti-perspirants do help to some extent.

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