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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

Please suggest tips to improve my complexion. — Bhanurekha

Use a facial scrub twice or thrice a week. Applying honey mixed with curd or lemon juice over a period of time helps lighten complexion. Tomato juice or pulp also lightens skin colour, but suits oily skin more. The use of an astringent helps remove oiliness. Nowadays, wet cleansing tissues are available. Carry them with you during the day along with a powder compact. These will help you look fresh.

How can I get rid of lice? — Aishwarya

Use anti-lice shampoos, which are easily available at a chemist's shop. Follow the directions on the label. After washing your hair with the shampoo, run a fine-toothed comb through the hair. The shampoo will kill the lice, but to get rid of the nits (eggs), you will have to remove them manually, one by one. Add a few drops of neem oil to coconut oil and apply it on the head. Or, add a handful of neem leaves to four cups of water and simmer it on a low fire. Leave it overnight. The following morning, strain the water and use it to rinse the hair. The neem leaves can be made into a paste and applied on the scalp. Wash it off after an hour. This helps prevent lice.

I have dark circles around my eyes. Suggest a home remedy. — Vijaya

Some of the reasons for dark circles are hereditary factors, nutritional deficiency, stress, inadequate sleep and sun-sensitivity. So, along with external care, check these aspects. As a home remedy, mix cucumber juice with potato juice. Dip cotton wool pads in it and apply it around the eyes. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Apply pure almond oil around the eyes and massage it lightly on the skin using only your ring finger. Before going out in the sun, apply a sunscreen lotion sparingly under the eyes. Add a drop of water to it to give lighter coverage. Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements and do some deep breathing exercises daily.

My hair used to be short but thick. But now I'm suffering from severe hair loss and breakage. I cut my hair shorter to get rid of split ends. The beautician told me not to use henna, as my hair is dry. Please suggest a home remedy to avoid split ends. I am applying castor oil and coconut oil and doing the hot towel wrap. — Suchi

Henna should not make the hair dry if you add curd and eggs to the paste. You can also add two teaspoons of oil. In fact, henna coats the hair and gives it strength. Wash the henna off with plain water instead of shampoo, since henna and lemon juice are both good cleansers. Since your hair is prone to split-ends, avoid tying it tightly with rubber bands. Avoid using hair dryers and brushes. Use a wide-toothed comb. Continue the hot oil treatment. If you do not want to use henna, apply curd or egg yolk, half an hour before shampooing. Apply a conditioner after shampooing. You can apply a leave-on conditioner or a hair serum. It should be applied after shampooing while the hair is damp and left on.

I have soft and silky hair. I have been losing hair for the past year and also have dandruff. Is that the reason for hair loss? I was told to use olive oil before washing my hair to get rid of dandruff. — Roopa

Yes, dandruff can lead to hair loss. Just using olive oil will not remove dandruff. In fact, the dandruff flakes can stick to the scalp, or block the pores. Once a week, heat olive oil or til oil and apply it on the scalp with cotton wool. Leave it on overnight. Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash your hair after half an hour. If there is dandruff, wash your hair with a mild herbal shampoo at least three to four times a week. Half an hour before shampooing, apply one tablespoon of vinegar on the scalp. Vinegar and lemon juice help restore the normal acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. Have henna treatment once a week. Add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs, one teaspoon of methi seed powder 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.

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