B eautician Shahnaz Husain offers tips and answers queries. Send your queries to askshahnaz@gmail.com
Is almond oil good for the hair? Also, is rosewater helpful for oily skin? — Swathi
Almond oil is a good choice. However, if your skin is oily, your scalp may be oily too. Olive oil or sesame seed oil may be used. Rosewater is suitable for all skin types. Mix it with lemon juice or cucumber juice for oily skin. Or, buy an astringent lotion from a cosmetic store. Mix it with rose water in equal quantities and apply it.
The skin around my lips is dark and there's a hint of a moustache. What should I do to get rid of it? — Archana
Home remedies do not remove facial hair. They are said to lessen facial hair growth if used regularly over a period of time. Try any of the following remedies to discourage facial hair growth. Make a thick paste of sugar, lemon juice and water and apply it in the direction of the growth. Wash it off after it dries. Apply it once or twice a week. Apply a paste of turmeric powder and milk on the skin with a circular motion. It is said to discourage facial hair, but it may leave a yellow colour on the skin. For the dark area around your lips, mix honey and lemon juice in equal quantities and apply it daily. Wash it off after 15 minutes. Twice a week, apply a face mask. Mix 3 teaspoons of oatmeal with one teaspoon each of honey, curd and lemon juice, or egg white. Apply it on your entire face, avoiding the lips and the area around your eyes. Wash it off after half-an-hour.
I have warts on my face. — Gomathi
Some warts are caused by a viral infection and spread easily. A wart should never be picked with the nails. It is best to refer it to a dermatologist, or try homeopathic remedies. As far as home remedies are concerned, it is said that applying vinegar on the warts daily causes them to fall off. Apply it only on the wart, using cotton wool. It is also said that onions help. Soak cut onions in water, overnight. The following morning, apply the water on your face.
I have dry hair and split ends, though I apply oil thrice a week. — Saranya
Cutting off the split ends is the only remedy. Then give your hair proper and regular care. Avoid tying it tightly with rubber bands. Avoid using a hair dryer or brush. Use a wide-toothed comb. Twice a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply it. Apply it on the ends too. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze it and wrap the hot towel around your head, like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and the scalp absorb the oil better. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Use very little shampoo and rinse it well. After shampooing your hair, lightly massage it with a little creamy conditioner. Apply it on the ends too. Leave it on for two minutes before rinsing it off. Or, apply a leave-in type of conditioner or hair serum. Apply it the same way, but do not rinse it off.
I've been losing a lot of hair over the last three years. My skin is very oily. — Prem Kumar
You may be losing hair because your scalp is oily. If your skin is oily, your scalp could be oily too. Hair loss can occur due to an oily scalp, dandruff, nutritional deficiency or stress. In men, it can be due to hormonal factors. Apply a non-oily herbal hair tonic on the scalp daily, using cotton wool and leave it on. Avoid massaging your scalp. Part the hair into sections and apply the oil. Wash your hair four times a week, using very little shampoo and rinsing it off well. Only one application of shampoo is enough. Diet is important. Eat a small bowl of sprouts daily and make fresh fruits, salads, leafy vegetables and curd in your diet. Ask your doctor to prescribe Vitamin B-Complex and Vitamin C. After washing your face, apply an astringent lotion, using cotton wool. Mix multani mitti with rose water into a paste and apply it on your face, avoiding the lips and the area around your eyes. Wash it off after it dries.
I have stretch marks on my arms. What is the cause? Please suggest remedies. — Divya
Stretch marks usually form when weight loss comes after weight gain. They fade with time, but may never completely, as they form due to destruction of skin elasticity. Massage your arms daily with olive oil. Mix gram flour with curd and a little turmeric into a paste and apply it on the area three times a week. Wash it off after half-an-hour.
