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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

Suggest home remedies to tighten open pores on the face and to get rid of lice. — Vinita

Mix oatmeal with egg white and apply it daily on the open pores. Wash it off when it dries. Once daily, mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of curd or lemon juice and apply it on the entire face, washing it off after 20 minutes. It is said that applying vinegar helps check lice infestation. Apply it every time you wash your hair and then run a fine-toothed comb through your hair. After washing the hair, give yourself a vinegar rinse by adding four tablespoons of vinegar to a mug of water. Also use an anti-lice shampoo once a week and follow it with vinegar application. The nits (eggs) have to be removed manually, one by one.

I have dry skin. My friend suggested application of oatmeal mixed with curd on the face. Will it suit my skin type? — Sugan

Oatmeal helps reduce oiliness, remove dead cells and tighten the skin. Add honey and curd to the oatmeal and use it, as honey is a natural moisturiser. One teaspoon of ground almonds and egg yolk can also be added to a mask for dry skin. Use a mild glycerine soap or a cleansing gel twice a day. Keep the skin moisturised during the day. At night, apply a nourishing cream and massage it on the skin for two to three minutes. Wipe it off with moist cotton wool.

I have dandruff and split ends. My hair is dry. — Sneha

When there is dandruff, the scalp may be oily, but the hair becomes dry, because the natural oils are not distributed properly. Cut off the split ends. Twice a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply it on the scalp and the hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. This helps the hair and the scalp absorb the oil better. Wash the hair the following morning. Wash your hair at least thrice a week. Half an hour before shampooing, apply one tablespoon of vinegar or the juice of a lemon on the scalp, massaging it lightly.

I have a smooth complexion, but I want my skin to be softer and radiant. — Zahra

If your skin is normal to dry, mix one teaspoon each of honey and milk with egg yolk and three teaspoons of oatmeal. It should be a thick paste, which does not drip. Apply it twice a week and wash it off when it dries. For oily skin, use curd and egg white instead of milk and egg yolk. If you have pimples, do not use an oatmeal mask; apply only curd and honey.

I have red patches on my cheeks. There are some white flakes too. When I wash my face, they go away, but I get them again. — Rima

Rough, red patches with flakes can occur due to dehydration, or continual lack of moisture, in the skin. Consult a dermatologist to ensure that it is not a skin problem. Wash the face only twice a day using a mild glycerine soap. Mix honey with a little milk and apply it daily on these patches. Wash it off after 15 minutes. If the doctor feels the skin is dehydrated, then keep it well moisturised. At night, apply a nourishing cream or a little olive oil and massage it on the skin for three to four minutes. Wipe it off with moist cotton wool.

I have dark circles and my lips are also dark. — Devi

Eyestrain can lead to dull eyes and dark circles. Other reasons for dark circles can be nutritional deficiencies, stress, inadequate sleep and sun-sensitivity. So, along with external care, check these aspects. Apply pure almond oil sparingly around the eyes and massage it lightly on the skin only with the ring finger for one minute under each eye. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wipe it off gently with moist cotton wool. Mix cucumber juice and rose water in equal quantities. Soak cotton wool pads in it and apply them daily over the eyelids. Lie down and relax for 15 minutes. This helps remove eye fatigue and lighten dark circles. Apply pure almond oil on the lips at night and leave it on overnight.

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