B eautician Shahnaz Husain offers tips and answers queries. You can send your queries to askshahnaz@gmail.com
Despite going in for spa treatment and trimming my hair, I have split ends. — Sonam
Split ends develop when the hair is dry and the oil is not distributed properly along each hair shaft. Cut off the split ends. Avoid tying your hair tightly with rubber bands. Avoid using hair dryers and brushes. Use a wide-toothed comb. Twice a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply it on your hair. Apply it on the ends too. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the towel around your head like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. This helps the hair and the scalp absorb the oil better. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Use just a little shampoo, taking care to rinse it off well. After a shampoo wash, lightly massage your hair with a very small quantity of a creamy conditioner. Apply it on the ends too. Leave it in for 2 minutes before rinsing it off. Or, apply a leave-in conditioner or hair serum. Apply it the same way, but do not rinse it off.
I get a rash and sometimes boils on my hands and the back of my neck after hair removal. — Arsha
You have not mentioned what method of depilation you are using. Do you remove the hair by waxing? If so, there can be rashes and eruptions. Apply an astringent lotion before and after waxing. You could take ice cubes in a clean napkin and apply it on the waxed area for a few seconds at a time. Applying sandalwood paste or clove cream will also help.
I have a lot of warts around my neck. What should I do to get rid of them? — Rajeshwari
Consult a dermatologist or try homeopathic treatment. Some warts are caused by a virus and spread easily. A wart should never be picked with the nails. As far as home remedies are concerned, it is said that applying vinegar on the warts daily causes them to eventually 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.
My face becomes oily barely 10 minutes after washing it. What should I do to have a glowing complexion? — Pawan Kumar
After washing your face, apply an astringent lotion. If the lotion is too harsh, mix it with rose water in equal quantities and wipe your face with it, using cotton wool. It helps reduce oiliness and refresh the skin. You can use this whenever the skin feels oily. Mix multani mitti with rosewater into a paste and apply it on the face, avoiding the lips and the area around your eyes. Wash it off after it dries. You can also use a facial scrub twice a week.
My skin gets irritated and erupts in rashes. The doctor says it is due to sun exposure. I used a herbal facial, but it has not helped. Suggest a suitable facial. — Divya
If there is a rash or an allergic reaction due to sun exposure, then you need to apply a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF of 30 or above. The SPF is mentioned on the label of all sunscreens. If you stay in the sun for long, re-apply the sunscreen. Facials should be done according to skin type. Cleanse or wash your face twice a day in the morning and night. Wipe it with rose water after cleansing it, using cotton wool. Apply the sunscreen before going outdoors. If there is any allergy, irritation, rash or itching, consult a skin specialist.
