Ask Shahnaz

Kritika Kamra. Photo: S. SUbramanium

Beautician Shahnaz Husain offers tips and answers queries. Send your queries to askshahnaz@gmail.com

I’ve threaded and waxed the hair on my upper lip. Now the area has become black. Suggest a remedy. — Aishwarya

You may try any of the following remedies, which will lighten the colour of the skin and lessen facial hair growth over a period of time. Make a thick paste of sugar, lemon juice and water and apply it in the direction of hair growth. Wash it off after it dries. Apply it once or twice a week. Apply a paste of turmeric powder and milk, rubbing it on the skin with a circular motion. It is said to discourage facial hair, but it may leave skin tinged light yellow.

I have dandruff and lice. I am also losing hair in front of my head. — Bharti

Apply vinegar on the hair and scalp. After an hour, comb your hair using a fine-toothed lice comb, and have the nits removed by hand. Vinegar loosens the nits making them easier to remove. Then wash the hair with a mild herbal shampoo. After shampooing your hair, add two tablespoons of vinegar to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. Then comb it again with the lice comb. Do this daily for one week. It will also help your dandruff problem. Have weekly henna treatments. It will help eliminate dandruff. Add 4 teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs, one teaspoon of methi seed powder and enough tea water to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. Tea water can be made by boiling used tea leaves again in enough water, and then cooling and straining the liquid. If the hair is dry, add two teaspoons of oil. Apply the henna on your hair, washing it off after an hour. Avoid tying your hair back tightly, as it can lead to hair loss in front of your head.

What should I do to get rid of body hair? —

Hemanth

Waxing is the best way of removing body hair. It is best to have it done at a salon. Or, you can buy readymade wax. The wax has to be applied on the area with a butter knife, in the direction of the hair growth. Then, place a clean strip of cotton cloth on the wax and pull it off against the direction of the hair growth. Wipe the area clean with a cold cloth after waxing. You could also apply ice to the waxed area for a few seconds at a time, to close and tighten the pores. You can improve your technique with practice.

I have started getting lines around my mouth and wrinkles around my eyes. — Nazleen

If you have normal to dry skin, apply a nourishing cream daily, massaging your face with a few drops of water. Use outward and slightly upward strokes around your mouth on either side. Laughter lines are on the sides, from nose to mouth. With the second and third fingers smooth laughter lines upwards across the cheek bones. Move easily upwards as far as the temples. Massage the delicate skin around the eyes very lightly, using only the ring finger, for one minute around each eye. Massage in one direction only. You can also have regular salon facials. Use a face mask twice a week. Mix 2 teaspoons of wheat bran with egg white and one teaspoon each of ground almonds, honey and curd. Apply it on the entire face, avoiding the lips and the area around the eyes. Wash it off after half an hour.