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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 have been waxing my upper lip for some time now. Recently, I noticed that my upper lip has turned dark. Waxing would always make the upper lip look brighter. A few weeks ago, I used a skin bleach with 2 per cent hydroquinone to lighten one area, but now the entire area looks darker. — Trupti

Hydroquinone can cause discolouration sometimes. You can apply the rice powder and curd scrub twice or thrice a week. Applying honey mixed with lemon juice may help. Tomato juice, applied daily, also helps lighten skin colour. Perhaps, if you continue to wax, the dark effect may wear off and the skin would look bright again.

I have rashes on my face. I also have dark circles around my eyes and dark patches under them. How can I get rid of them? — Saritha

The rashes may be due to some allergic reaction. Even sun-sensitivity can cause rashes and dark patches. Apply a sunscreen before going out in the sun, but it is better to consult a skin specialist first to find out what these rashes are. Mix honey and lemon juice in equal quantities. Apply a thin layer on the dark areas around and under the eyes. Wash it off after 15 minutes with plain water.

I am a 22-year-old male with a dark complexion. I have been getting pimples, which have left marks and pits on my face. During the day, my face gets very oily. How can I have a clean and bright face? Since I am staying away from home, I eat mostly oily food. — Krishna

Wash your face twice a day with a medicated soap. Buy an astringent and wipe your face with it using cotton wool twice a day. A scrub would help you, but it should not be applied on pimples. You can apply it daily on the scars, pits and the rest of the face. Rub gently with circular strokes and wash it off with water. Carry wet cleansing tissues with you to wipe the face during the day. Include fresh fruits in your daily diet. Buy an anti-pimple lotion and apply it on the pimples daily.

I am 14 and am suffering from abnormal hair loss. When I was 12, I had thick hair and now I have lost half of it. Will applying henna stimulate hair growth? — Shruti

You are too young to suffer from severe hair loss. Consult a doctor and ensure there is no medical problem. Also, see whether you have dandruff. You can check with the doctor about a problem called alopecia. Nutritional deficiencies, anaemia and thyroid imbalance can also be reasons for hair loss. Henna helps cleanse the hair, strengthen and condition it 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. But before that meet a doctor.

I have combination skin. The T-zone becomes oily sometime after applying sunscreen and make-up. I use a sunscreen with SPF 50. What shall I do to reduce oiliness and become fairer? — Judy

Choose a sunscreen ideal for oily skin (oil-free), even if the SPF is not as high as 50. For the oily area, you can use a powder compact (pressed powder). During the day, when you are outdoors, you can wipe your face and refresh it with wet tissues and then apply powder. To reduce oiliness, you can mix rose water with lemon juice in equal quantities and apply it on the face daily, washing it off after 15 minutes. Then, mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of curd and apply it on the face, washing it off after 20 minutes.

I am a 25-year-old girl. I suffered from Alopecia for 14 years during which I lost not just my hair but also my eyebrows and eyelashes. Though I have recovered now, I don't have lashes on one of my eyes. I tried olive oil for five to six days but without success. — Megha

Yes, alopecia can affect the eyelashes and eyebrows too. Apply castor oil on the lashes daily, using a cotton bud. It is said to encourage growth of eyelashes.

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