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Ask Shahnaz

March 23, 2014 07:55 pm | Updated May 19, 2016 10:53 am IST - chennai

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

Lisa Hayden

I never leave my hair open, because it is dry and difficult to manage. Also it doesn’t grow very long. Suggest some remedies.— Anjali

The average rate of hair growth, lengthwise, is half an inch per month. If the hair is curly or frizzy, the growth may not show that much. Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair serum to make it manageable. Or, mix some water with a creamy hair conditioner and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the hair. Then comb your hair, so that it spreads throughout. Twice a week, heat coconut oil and apply it. Then immerse a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water, and tie the hot towel around your head, like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Use very little shampoo and ensure your rinse it off well. After a shampoo wash, apply a creamy conditioner, taking very little of it and massaging it lightly into the hair. Leave it on for two minutes before rinsing it off.

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My brother is 26, with a dark complexion and oily skin. What can he do to lighten the colour of his skin?

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— Roopam

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After cleansing the skin, he should apply an astringent lotion. Or he could mix cucumber juice and lemon juice in equal quantities and apply it daily on the face. It should be washed off after 15 minutes. This will help to lighten the skin colour too. A facial scrub should be used twice a week. It should be applied on the face and gently rubbed on the skin with small circular movements, and then washed off. A paste comprising multani mitti, rose water and lemon juice could be applied on the face three times a week. Wash it off after it dries. It reduces oiliness and also lightens the skin colour.

Suggest a suitable skincare routine?— Pratesha

You should look after the skin according to the skin type and individual problems. Buy products for cleansing, toning, moisturising accordingly. If the skin is dry, apply a nourishing cream daily at night, massaging it on the face with slightly upward and outward movements. Wipe it off with moist cotton wool. Include fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts and yogurt in your diet. Drink plenty of water, have adequate sleep, and exercise regularly after consulting your doctor.

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Suggest a remedy for painful heels.— Archana

Apply almond oil daily before a bath. Immediately afterwards, massage your skin while it is still damp with cream. Apart from daily care, try this intensive treatment for a week. At night, before bedtime, soak your feet in warm water for 15 minutes, after adding some salt. Then scrub your heels with a pumice stone or heel scrubber. Avoid metal scrubbers. Then massage your feet with cream. Apply it generously on the heels and bandage them with a clean cloth. Wear cotton socks before going to sleep. This helps soften the skin. Do this every night for one week and see the difference.

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