Q: I suffer from dandruff throughout the year and my hair is very dry, rough and frizzy. It is thinning at an alarming rate, especially in front, while there’s baby hair growth that is unmanageable and looks messy. I am a 43-year-old woman and fine lines have appeared on my forehead. Please suggest solutions.
Bubli Mitra

A: At 43, frown lines are normal. Use a good vitamin nourishing cream that will help nourish your skin. Brush an egg white all over the skin and let it dry. Wash off with ice cold water and pat dry. You should be oiling your hair with a good ayurvedic oil. Follow that up with a hair mask of one  mashed tomato, 2tsp curry leaf powder, 2tsp fenugreek seed powder and 4tbsp curd. Mix well together and apply all over the scalp and hair and leave on for 30 minutes. Shampoo with a mild herbal shampoo.

Q: My complexion was dark but after using some fairness creams, the tone became lighter, while the region around the eyes and lips look darker. I have used under-eye creams, but nothing works. Please help.
Shreya Das, 18

A: Why not just concentrate on improving your complexion rather than being fairer? Massage your skin with papaya and lemon juice and apply a mask of grated cucumber, 1tsp almond paste, half a grated potato and 1tsp fuller’s earth mixed with fresh tomato pulp. This is a wonderful mask that will wake up tired, dead-looking skin and you can safely apply it to the lips and the under-eye area too.

Q: I have dark circles under my eyes that make me look tired and as if I haven’t slept for days. My mom also has dark circles, so maybe this is a hereditary problem. Please help me get rid of them.
Devanshi Bhagat, 16

A: If this is hereditary then you will continue to have this problem, but it can be reduced substantially. Massage the eye area with a mix of almond oil, coconut oil and 1tsp of fresh aloe vera gel and leave on for about 30 minutes before you wash it off. You can also dip cotton wool in cold milk and use it as a cold compress. Drink lots of water to flush out the toxins. Last but not the least, do a blood test to check your haemoglobin level to see if you have any internal weakness.

Q: Is permanent hair straightening really harmful? I’m a 15-year-old girl and I want to straighten my hair but I am scared of the side effects.
Isha Ojha, 15

A: Initially, chemical straightening looks and feels wonderful. After some time, however, you will find your hair getting rougher. Hair fall becomes a nightmare and results in the hair thinning. Why not work towards getting good hair with regular oiling, natural hair masks and conditioning instead?

Q: I am 15 years old. I have oily skin that is prone to pimples and acne. It’s leaving dark brown marks. Please help.
Sonali, 15

A: Keep your skin squeaky clean at all times. Take 2tsp of fuller’s earth, 1tsp of mint paste and a pinch of powdered camphor and mix into a thick paste with rose water. Use this as a face wash two to three times a day. Also, a healthy lifestyle plays a major part in the way you look. So, drink at least 10 glasses of water daily, eat lots of fresh fruits, salads and green vegetables, and avoid sweets, fried and junk foods.

Q: I am an 18-year-old girl suffering from dandruff from 2016. Now my hair is also thinning. Please help.
Mimi Chatterjee, 18

A: Dandruff is dangerous and can be the cause of hair fall and hair thinning. It is caused by the body’s internal problems such as prolonged illness, internal weakness, bad diet, lack of water, stress and inadequate blood circulation. Oil your hair with coconut oil followed by lemon juice and turban therapy, or a good quality mahabhringraj oil. You can also use a tea shampoo as these help balance the natural pH level of the hair. Be careful about your lifestyle.

Q: I have oily skin and I get a tan in summer. Also, my lips are dark. Please suggest ways to keep my skin feeling fresh and clean all the time and to lighten my lips.
Ruby Kumari, Durgapur

A: Drink lots of water and keep your body hydrated. Also, mix two drops of coconut oil and almond oil and apply on the lips two to three times a day. For tanned, grimy skin, sandalwood works like magic and is also easy to use. Mix 1tsp of fuller’s earth and 1tsp of sandalwood powder with cucumber juice. Apply this on the skin and leave to dry. Not only will your skin look and feel better, but the tan will also be removed.

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