I have many pimples on my forehead, but my skin is very dry. My forehead is also dark. Except for powder, I don’t use anything else. — Jaysri
The outermost layer of the skin may have become dry. Take two teaspoons of curd, add a little turmeric to it and apply the mixture on your face daily. Wash it off with plenty of water, after 15 minutes. It will help lighten the colour of your skin. You can also add one teaspoon of pure glycerine to 100 ml of rose water. Keep this in a bottle and apply a little of it on your face daily. It will prevent dryness. Avoid powder, as it can clog the pores and make the skin dry. Apply sandalwood paste only on the pimples daily.
Whenever I play outdoors I get tanned. What should I do to get rid of it? — Shashi
Washing does not lighten skin colour or remove tan. Mix one teaspoon each of honey and lemon juice and apply it daily on your face at any time. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Or, take two teaspoons of curd, add a pinch of haldi to it and apply it daily the same way. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Twice a week mix together one teaspoon of curd, one teaspoon of honey, 3 teaspoons of oatmeal and egg white. Apply this on your face, avoiding the lips and the area around the eyes, washing it off after 20 to 30 minutes. If you do not wish to use egg, apply more curd. Oats will be available in food stores. Mix the liquid ingredients gradually to get the right consistency. It should be a thick paste, which does not drip.
I have whiteheads, but they cannot be removed by applying pressure. — Niharika
Since the pores are not open in whiteheads, they are difficult to remove. Avoid pinching them with your nails, as it can lead to infection and leave marks on the skin. Facial scrubs help discourage whiteheads. If the skin is very dry, use the scrub only once a week and only on the areas with whiteheads. For oily skin, scrubs can be used more often. Some home remedies may help. Make a paste of fenugreek (methi) leaves and apply it on your face daily, washing it off after an hour. Grated potato or potato juice may also be applied. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Add the juice of a lemon to a glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning. Drinking barley water is said to prevent whiteheads.
I have a broad long face and wavy hair. What hairstyle would suit me? — Deepthi Priya
A short hairstyle suits a long face. Or, you can have it at shoulder length. A layered cut, which adds width to the face will suit you. The layers can start at ear level. You can also have a longish light fringe. It can either be a straight fringe, or swept sideways.
I have oily skin.But, my face becomes dry just after I wash it. — Kavya
Wash your face with a mild glycerine soap. Mix one teaspoon of pure glycerine with 100 ml of rose water. Keep it in a bottle. In hot and humid weather, it can be very refreshing if kept in the fridge. Apply a little of it after washing your face, to relieve dryness. It helps tone and moisturise the skin without making it oily.
I am getting married in August. My hair is wavy and I want to straighten it. I’m also losing a lot of hair. — Reeta
Straightening is done with chemical lotions and/or direct heat application (irons). This can damage the hair and cause hair loss. The best thing would be to seek the advice of a reputed hairstylist. You can have a layered hairstyle with waves and curls, as it is trendy. Apply a herbal hair tonic daily on the scalp and leave it in. Apply pure coconut oil once a weekthe night before shampooing your hair. Avoid massaging your head. Diet is important. Eat a small bowl ofsprouts daily and include fresh fruits, salads, leafy green vegetables, soy bean and curd, in your diet. Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.
I have lots of open pores. I have black marks too after blackhead extraction. — Charitha
Open pores occur on oily skin or on the oily areas of combination skin. After washing your face, wipe these areas with an astringent lotion with cotton wool. Mix oatmeal with egg white and apply this on the areas with open pores and marks twice a week. Wash it off after it dries. Mix multani mitti with lemon juice and rose water into a paste and apply it on the dark marks. Wash it off after it dries.
My skin is very oily in summer and very dry in winter. What skin type do I have?Suggest home remedies for blackheads. — Vineta
You may be having oily or combination skin. Even oily skin can feel dry due to dryness of the outermost layer of the skin. This happens due to lack of humidity in the air. Use a light liquid moisturiser. Add a drop of water to it before application for lighter coverage. To get rid of blackhead apply a paste of baking soda and water on your face first thing after washing your face in the morning. Leave it on for five minutes and then wash it off. Use a facial scrub three times a week on the blackhead prone areas. You can either buy a scrub or mix rice powder with rose water and use it. Rub it gently on the areas with blackheadsusing small circular movements. Leave it on for 5 minutes and then wash it off.
How can I do a pedicure at home? — Susi
First, remove old nail polish with remover and cotton wool. Then, soak your feet for 15 minutes in warm water to which shampoo, coarse salt and vegetable oil have been added. Then scrub your nails with a soft brush. Use a pumice stone on the heel and sides of the soles. Scrub your feet with a rough towel or loofah. Then, wash your feet. Dry them with a towel. Use a clipper to trim your nails. Toe nails should be cut straight across. Use an emery board to smoothen them. Do not cut the cuticles. Massage them with cream, pushing them back gently with a cotton bud. Massage cream on your feet and nails. Avoid using sharp instruments to clean your nails. Massage more cream on your heels. Wipe your feet with a moist towel. If you wish to apply nail polish, put cotton wool between your toes. Apply the varnish in broad strokes, from the base of the nail to the tips. After the first coat dries, apply the second coat.
I am 40. My skin is wrinkled and dry. Can you also suggest a suitable face pack? — Paul
For dry skin, avoid soap and use a cleansing cream or gel. Keep your skin moisturised during the day. Apply a sunscreen before going out in the sun. At night, massage nourishing cream mixed with a few drops of water on your face. Wipe off the excess cream with moist cotton wool before bedtime. Mix honey with egg yolk or pure almond oil and apply this mixture daily on your face. Wash it off with plenty of water after 15 minutes. Weekly salon facials and massage will help. For a face pack, mix 2 teaspoons of wheat bran with one teaspoon each of ground almonds, curd, honey and egg white. Apply this on your face twice a week. Wash it off after half an hour.