Ask Shahnaz

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

Tanisha

My face looks normal, but two hours later my nose becomes very oily. What should I do? —

Hosanna

After washing the face, apply astringent lotion on the oily areas of the face, using cotton wool. You can also mix multani mitti with rose water into a paste and apply on the oily areas daily to reduce oiliness. Apply compact powder on the face before going out. Use wet tissues to wipe and reduce oiliness during the day.

I have oily and rough hair and I suffer severe hair fall. What should I do? —Hema

You may be having hair loss due to an oily scalp. Apply a non-oily herbal hair tonic on the scalp daily, using cotton wool and leave on. Avoid massage. Part the hair in sections and apply on the scalp. Once a week, heat olive oil and apply on the hair. Avoid massage. Leave overnight. Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash the hair after 20 minutes. Diet is very important. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and include fresh fruits, salads, leafy green vegetables, soya bean, curd, in your diet. Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.

Does a facial scrub improve skin tone only for a short period or is it permanent? —Nazia

The skin gets tanned when it is exposed to the sun. A scrub helps reduce the tan by removing the dead skin cells and their contained pigment (colouring matter). The use of scrubs should be done regularly to brighten the skin. If the skin is oily, use a scrub two or three times a week. For normal to dry skin, use it once a week.

I get too many pimples. I am told not to apply anything on them, as it might affect my skin. Suggest a remedy. —Pragya

Pimples should be treated in good time, as they can develop into an acne condition and leave scars. You should take care of pimple-prone skin with appropriate methods. Wash your face twice a day, morning and night with a medicated soap or face wash for oily skin. Then wipe with an astringent lotion, using cotton wool. Mix a little rose water with sandalwood paste and apply on the face daily. Wash off after 15 minutes. Mix cinnamon powder with a little lemon juice and a few drops of honey into a sticky paste. Apply it only on the pimples daily and leave it on for one or two hours. Mix multani mitti with rose water and lemon juice into a paste and apply it on the face two or three times a week. Wash it off after it dries. Avoid creams and moisturisers. Use only oil-free products. Drink plenty of water. Add the juice of a lemon to a glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning.