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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

My skin is dry and I have small pox scars and pits, which are black in colour. I've tried many creams, but in vain. — Ashrumani

Pits are difficult to remove since there is loss of skin tissue in the area. If these marks are dark in colour, application of the rice powder and curd mixture will help. Rub it gently on the skin with circular movements. Leave it on for five minutes and wash it off with water. Then add one part honey to two parts curd and apply it on the entire face, washing it off after 20 minutes. These treatments will take time to show results. Also try Veg Peel treatments at a skin care clinic. Alternatively, consult a cosmetic surgeon and find out about microdermabrasion and peeling treatments for pits and marks.

The use of slippers has left a dark spot on my foot, thickening the skin in the area. Is there any remedy to get rid of the black spot? — Priya

This could be either a corn or callus. First, change your footwear so that there is no friction in that area. Soak your feet in hot water, after adding coarse salt to it, for 15 minutes. Then, rub the area gently with a pumice stone. Wash the foot and apply a thick cream on it, massaging it into the skin. Ask a dermatologist to recommend a cream, which helps soften hardened skin. If there is any pain, inform the doctor immediately. Corn caps, easily available at a chemist's shop, can also be used.

I am 21 and have hair on my hands. I have never waxed or shaved before. Can I use a ladies' razor? — Sowjanya

A razor does not remove hair by the root. Shaving enhances growth and also makes the hair harder. Get waxing done at a beauty salon. It is not an expensive procedure and the effect will last for about a month. Waxing gradually lessens hair growth. It removes hair by the root, which gradually discourages the follicles from producing hair. Also try an epilator, which is a small gadget used to remove hair from the arms and the legs. The hair should be of a particular length for removal. Follow the directions accompanying the gadget.

I have a lot of pimples. I used a medicated soap, but my skin has become dry and scaly. The pimples are leaving brown marks. Also, suggest a remedy for stretch marks on hips and thighs. — Amy

Soap does not cure pimples. Although pimple-prone skin must be cleansed properly, you should use soap only twice a day. Excessive washing with soap and water disrupts the normal balance. Mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of curd and apply it daily on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. This will soften the skin and relieve dryness, as well as help control pimples. Apply sandalwood paste on the pimples daily and leave it on. Massage sesame seed (til) oil daily on the area with stretch marks before bathing. Mix besan with curd and apply it. Wash it off after 30 minutes.

I use a branded henna powder. The instructions state that the powder should be soaked in tea decoction in an iron container for about 10-15 hrs. Is it good to use henna this way or shall I follow your method? Then, which is the right time to apply face packs? Can we use soap or any cream after washing off a pack? — Akula

The iron content in an iron container helps darken the colour of the ingredients and is said to give the hair a darker colour. We recommend separate methods for conditioning and colouring. For colouring, we recommend amla and amla water, since amla is known to check greying. Dried amla may also be roasted in an iron "karhai", powdered and then added to henna. Also add lemon juice and eggs. Lemon juice not only has a cleansing effect on the hair but also brings out the colour of henna, while eggs nourish the hair and prevent dryness. However, you can try the recommendations on the branded henna you have purchased. You can apply face packs at any time, according to your convenience. What is essential is you should have enough time for the pack to dry. It is better to wash off the pack with plain water. For some of our packs, we recommend dampening with milk and then washing it off with water.

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