I am a 28-year-old woman. I have naturally straight long hair. But my hair is oily. I wash my hair every day because if I don’t, my scalp becomes oily by evening. I also work out, which makes the scalp sweaty. Now I am suffering from major hair fall and my hair is thinning.

Name withheld 

I believe a clean scalp is a healthy scalp. However, what type of water you have available to you and what shampoo you are using are important. Start using a mild herbal tea- or citrus-based shampoo. This will help reduce the oiliness.

Also start applying a hair mask twice a week. Take half a cup of hibiscus flower paste and mix with 2tsp neem paste and apply to the scalp and hair. Wash it off. Also check whether you are taking a high-protein diet with sufficient iron. Lots of green leafy vegetables and salads will do both your hair and body some good.

I am a 20-year-old girl. I have oily skin and have been suffering from a severe acne problem for the past seven years. Now I am getting one acne at a time but it’s becoming a large, red and painful swelling, taking a few weeks to go and leaving nasty marks. I also have blackheads. I’m using a face cleanser, a gel-based sunscreen and a gel on my acne.

Name withheld

Gels and cleansers will not rid you of your blackheads, which, in turn, may be turning into infected pimples. You need to change your lifestyle first and look inwards to be able to look great outside. Stop eating all fried foods, aerated drinks, sweets and heavy gravy foods for the next four weeks. Drink 10 glasses of water daily and eat lots of salads and fruits. Avoid getting constipation. Make a mint scrub with powdered orange peel, 2tsp neem paste, 2tsp mint paste and enough rose water to make a thick scrub. Apply all over non-pus areas and scrub off when semi-dry. Wash off with water. Get your blackheads and whiteheads cleaned out professionally. And maintain clean skin.

I’m a 19-year-old boy with oily skin. For the past two years I have been having pimples and the marks caused by them are ugly. I use an acne-fighting face wash and it is quite good. But still pimples break out on my face. Can you suggest some effective remedy?

Saikat Kumar

Eat healthy and drink healthy — fresh fruits and salads with lots of water. Keep your skin squeaky clean at all times. You can make a face wash at home with 4tbs Multani mitti, half-a-teaspoon of camphor and rose water. Make into a smooth paste and add two finely powdered cloves. Whenever you come in from outdoors, wash your face with this wonderful natural face wash. The same concoction can be applied at night on acne and left overnight. Do this daily and you will see a difference in the acne within the next few weeks.

I am 16 years old and have very oily skin. There are red swollen bumps on my face that never go away completely, leaving marks and scars. Now I’m having hair issues too. It hasn’t grown in the last few months and there’s dandruff. Also, my nails grow very little and are prone to easy breakage. The skin on my arms and legs are of uneven tone. It would be really helpful if you could suggest remedies.

Raina Chatterjee

Have lots of water, green vegetables and fruits. Spritz rose water to which you have added half a teaspoon of camphor on the skin several times a day. Make the following face wash: 2tsp fuller’s earth, a pinch of camphor, rose water and 2tsp mint paste. Wash your face with this and also use as a mask on the entire face. Wash off when dry.

For your arms and legs, use a sunscreen to protect yourself from the harsh UV rays and apply sandalwood powder mixed with milk on alternate days. Do this regularly for any result to show. Without dedicated effort there’s no way you’re going to glow, naturally!

Suparna Trikha is a nature care expert and columnist. Find her on Facebook @Suparna Trikha. If you have questions for her, write to t2onsunday@abp.in with your age, skin type and other details