Suggest suitable exercises that will help me have slim arms.— Angela
After consulting your doctor, do the following exercises daily. Stand with your feet slightly apart. Stretch your arms outward and to the sides, palms facing upwards. Rotate your arms in small circles, clockwise and then anti-clockwise. Do each exercise 10 times, gradually increasing the number of repetitions. Stand the same way, palms facing upwards. Clench your fists tightly. Stretch out your hands, spreading your fingers as wide as possible. Repeat this exercise 10 times; then repeat another 10 times, palms facing downwards.
My wheaten complexion has turned black and sensitive. The doctor says I am allergic to sunlight. I wash my face with multani mitti, followed by rose water.— Divya
If there is a sun allergy, apply a sunscreen with a high SPF of 30 and above before going out in the sun. If you are exposed for long to the sun, you may need to re-apply the sunscreen. So, you should carry it with you. Add a pinch of turmeric to two teaspoons curd, and apply this daily on your face. If curd does not suit your skin type, apply cold milk daily, the same way. Wash it off after 15 minutes. You can also mix curd with ripe papaya pulp and apply it daily. Wash it off after 20 minutes.
My hair is thin and straight. It becomes oily two days after I wash it. Also, how can I get rid of dandruff?— Smita
Wash your hair four times a week, using less shampoo and rinsing it off well. Half-an-hour before a shampoo wash, lightly massage your scalp with two tablespoons of vinegar. Once a week, apply warm olive oil on your scalp at night. Leave it on overnight. The following morning, apply the juice of a lemon 20 minutes before shampooing your hair. Weekly henna treatments will help. Make fresh fruits, salads, sprouts and yoghurt part of your daily diet. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
My mother's eyes have become puffy.— Harini
Your mother should first consult a doctor to ensure that her kidneys and sinuses are functioning well, and also seek dietary advice. Make-up or cream should not be left on around the eyes at night. It can lead to puffiness. Your mother can try some simple home remedies such as applying a compress of iced water or cold milk directly over her closed lids. It should be left on for 15 to 20 minutes. Or she can soak cotton wool pads in chilled rose water and let it rest on the area beneath the eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. Grated potato or potato juice, applied around the eyes also helps reduce puffiness. So do tea bags. Steep them in hot water and allow them to cool. Then, use them as eye pads.
Beautician Shahnaz Husain offers tips and answers queries. Send your queries to askshahnaz@gmail.com
