SUPERFLUOUS HAIR
The most common places where the hair appears with or without associated growths are the face, arms, legs, stomach, back, the nail region and the nipples. This excessive growth of hair is associated with many causes which include endocrine imbalance, certain pituitary, adrenal and ovarian tumors. It is also due to lack of endocrine functioning, malnutrition, hereditary influences and sometimes to local inflammatory processes.
A thorough medical checkup is in order in all such cases with a check on various glandular functions including a Basal Metabolism Test. If endocrine deficiencies are present, they should be treated immediately. While in most of the cases no endocrine deficiencies are found to be present, the fact that the first appearance and subsequent "spurts", of hair frequently coincide with endocrine crisis like the onset of menses, maturity, pregnancy and particularly menopause indicate some casual relationship between the growth of hair and endocrine glands.
TREATMENT: No internal treatment proves effective. The only possible cure is permanent destruction of hair through electrolysis. A very fine electric needle is inserted into the hair follicle burn, it out. This is an extremely expensive and highly specialized method and should be performed only by experts in the field . If handled by a person who is not very experienced at handling it, it will lead to permanent disfiguring of the face with unsightly scars.
Another effective and cheaper method of removing hair is by using wax on them. Waxing is the most long-lasting method of removing hair. This method pulls the hair right out by their roots and slows up the process of regrowth. To prepare your own wax at home, take 250 grams of sugar and squeeze in the juice of 6 large limes. Cook the mixture over a gentle fire till it turns light brown and sticky. Remove from fire and mix in 1 tablespoon of glycerine. Store in airtight bottle and use when required. If in the hot season the wax turns thin, place it either in the fridge or on a bowl of ice till it gets back to the right consistency. If it becomes thick in cold season keep the jar for a couple of minutes in a bowl of hot water. Apply the wax in the direction of the growth with the help of a blunt knife. Place a strip of cotton cloth over it. Press down on all the sides for a firm grip. Holding the lower end of the cloth, pull off with a firm, sweeping movement in the direction opposite to your hair growth. When the cloth is full of hair, discard it and use a fresh one. Apply coal-mine lotion to soothe skin after the treatment has been completed. Waxing hair for a number of years may cause sufficient damage to the follicle and ultimately cause it to atrophy with permanent cure from this problem.
Threading and tweezing too are effective as they too cause the growth of hair to diminish like waxing. Threading is the Chinese method for getting rid of superfluous hair. All you require is a long piece of very sturdy thread, knotted at the ends and heaps of practice and patience. A loop is made with the thread round the index finger and thumb of one hand and twisted, so as to entangle the hairs nearest to the roots and then pulled away, from the skin.
Also, daily rubbing the affected areas with a pumice stone, after either waxing or shaving away the hair first, keeps the hair from protruding beyond the surface of the skin. In many cases, the continuous use of this method has lessened the growth. The best way to use a pumice stone is to lather up the skin with soap and water and use it in a circular motion on the area to be defused. Hair disappears through friction.
Shaving is the quickest and easiest method of getting rid of unwanted hair. But strict rules of cleanliness should be observed and no deodorant should be used immediately after shaving. Finish off any shaving job with moisturizing lotion, as you often skim off the fine top film of oil from your skin when shaving. Be prepared for a fairly rapid regrowth, because you have only removed the hair above the skin level. The regrowth will feel a bit stubbly, since you have truncated the hairs straight across. For a longer-lasting effect and a softer regrowth, go for depilatory creams. These creams partially dissolve hair roots, so hair take longer to grow back again and when they do they have natural, rape red ends. But depilatories don’t suit every one – the chemicals they contain may not suit some people so remember do a patch test first.
But never use a depilatory, razor or wax on the face. For a :mild growth on the face, the best remedy is to take 1 tablespoon of gram flour add a pinch of turmeric powder along with enough lime juice to form a thin paste. Apply it liberally over your entire face and neck. When the skin feels a little dry, start rubbing the face and neck vigorously with your hands until all the paste falls off. Remove the paste which still clings with water. If this is done regularly it will lighten and brighten the skin and make it soft and smooth. Another remedy is to bleach the hair. Take 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, 15 drops of liquid ammonia and 1 tablespoon of pure soap flakes. Mix together and apply on the whole face and neck. Rinse after 10 minutes. After rinsing your skin, apply a thin film of almond or olive oil on the skin.
When bleaching your face keep the mixture well away from your eyes. Always bleach under a fan running at a full speed and turn your face towards the fan, otherwise the bleach will harm your eyes. When using the bleach, avoid any small cuts and grazes because it will make them sting. Never bleach a pimply face. If your skin is the sensitive type, apply a little of it on the inside of your wrist to see whether it agrees with your skin. If it doesn’t, never go in for bleaching. If your skin happens to be on the dry side, apply cold cream on the areas to be bleached before bleaching. In cold weather, it is very essential to apply cold cream before you use the bleach. If you have big hair on the face, pull these out with the help of tweezers and then use pumice stone on these areas. The hair will not protrude beyond the surface. Besides, use bleaching on the face. This way the hair will be almost unnoticeable and your face will turn fair with constant bleaching. Bleaching can be used with advantage on the hair around the navel, chest and stomach. If the hair on these regions happens to be long, cut it very short with the help of scissors before bleaching, but on no account use any other treatment on these regions.
ACNE
Acne popularly called the blackheads is a common disease amongst the young people. In the beginning, there are sebaceous plugs (known as black heads and white heads) in the sebaceous glands. Usually, infection causes the inflammatory process and pimples set in on the face, chest and neck. Red boils are formed and the size varies from a small seed to that of a pea. Initially, they last for a few weeks and then disappear leaving a temporary pigmentation. With recurring infection these boils develop into an abscess leaving behind very unsightly scars which may ruin the complete appearance of the face.
TREATMENT: The best remedy for pimples is your own spit. The spit found in the mouth early in the morning and at midnight is very poisonous that can kill any disease. Every time you wakeup in the night apply spit on the pimples and before brushing your teeth, apply the spit. Leave it on for 1 hour before washing your face. Within a week you will find definite improvement in your condition. This is a tried and tested remedy which I have tried on myself.
Another good remedy is to grind to a paste equal quantities of neem, mint and coriander leaves and mustard leaves and apply on the face. Leave on for half an hour before washing your face.
One-fourth teaspoon each of dry nutmeg powder, sandalwood powder mixed with camphor lotion into a paste and applied on the face in hour before taking bath also helps in combating pimples. Camphor lotion is made by putting camphor in a bottle. Close the stopper and set in a warm place within half an hour the camphor turns into a lotion. Tamarind mask also helps in reducing pimples. Take a few pods of tamarind and soak in warm water for 15 minutes. It is a strong antiseptic and clears the skin of grease and bacteria in which soil the pimples flourish. Vitamin A & E capsules if broken and rubbed on the pimples in the night before going to bed also help greatly. Avoid using all face creams including all types of skin foods, skin tonics and lubricants. Wash your face with an antiseptic soap and plenty of water. Just put on powder and that too baby powder on the face. However, more emphasis should be put on the use of lipstick and eye makeup in order to draw attention to your eyes and mouth so that your pimpled skin is less noticeable.
Diet: Avoid eating chocolate in any form. Do not eat groundnuts. Do not eat any cheese except cottage and cream cheese. Avoid eating shell and salt water fish, very sweet, rich and starchy foods because they upset the skin. Refrain from taking medicines which contain iodides. Sometimes cough mixture and other medicines may also contain iodides therefore read contents of every medicine before taking them. Cold tablets, nerve medicines, sedatives and barbiturates sometimes make acne worse therefore they should be avoided. Take plenty of fruits and green leafy vegetables and foods – rich in Vitamin A. Vitamin A given in relatively large doses has aided in the control of acne. Constipation puts a brake on the whole system and aggravates acne. For this reason, first thing in the morning should be to drink a glass of water to which juice of a lime has been added. This helps in clearing the bloodstream and therefore helps in clearing the skin of its blemishes and at the same time also helps in working of the bowels.
BLACKHEADS
Tiny black capped eruptions are called blackheads. Make a good lather of 1 tablespoon ground almonds and water and gently work this foam over the face. Then use a shaving brush to cleanse the face and open clogged pores. Take care not to use the brush too energetically or you will irritate your skin. A good cleansing of a very oily skin is a very effective measure in combating blackheads. A good cleanser for oily skin prone to blackheads is ‘!. cup of shavings of baby soap, 4 cup makai ka atta and 4 cup ground almonds. Put them in a container and use daily.
Every day take a small amount in your hands, add enough water to make a fairly smooth paste. Apply the paste with a moistened shaving brush over your skin specially where the blackheads are concentrated. This action will help to dislodge the embedded dirt and oil which are breeding ground of blackheads. Rinse the face in warm then in cold water. As a final rinse, use a tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of water and splash on the face. An excellent antiseptic lotion for a blemished’ skin is made by soaking a sprig of parsley in a pan of water. Let it remain in it for 24 hours.
Apply on the face every night before going to bed. Large pores are cured by this parsley lotion. Besides, include vitamin A pills in your daily diet. Lack of this vitamin can create dead cells below the surface of the skin which clogs the oil glands and pores and prevents the normal lubrication of the skin. If numerous, large and closely grouped superficial blackheads are present, you can remove them by taking a piece of ordinary adhesive plaster. Heat the plaster and apply it firmly on the affected portion. Leave it on for 24 hours and then pull it off with a sharp tug. This if properly used is very effective in curing blackheads. This procedure may be repeated but it should not be used on sensitive and hairy areas. After removing them, dab moisturizing cream on the skin.
WHITEHEADS
White heads are tiny cysts which are formed due to the improper elimination of the oil secreted by the grease glands. They have the appearance of hard white spots. They appear on any part of the skin, but they are most often seen on the areas around the face especially nose, cheeks, temple and forehead. A whitehead can be best removed by pricking its apex with a clean sterilized needle. Another very effective remedy for removing white heads is to rub them regularly with a mixture of soap solution and table salt, then wash off with cold water. After a few rubbing’s, the whiteheads can be removed by gently pressing them out.
SKIN ALLERGY
Skin allergy means that one is more sensitive to some particular substance than others,. Allergies are caused by anything from food, cosmetics, clothing, fibres, pollen, plants and even animals. Cosmetic allergy is manifested by skin eruptions, swelling of tissues, itching and many other symptoms. If you find that you are breaking out into any of the above symptoms and discover that you have used a new lipstick, powder or cream then you should immediately eliminate the encounter with the offending agent. The symptoms of food allergy are belching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains, constipation, diarrhea, sores around the mouth and the swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Trial diets in which the suspected foods are eliminated one by one and are particularly helpful in furnishing clues to allergy. Your doctor can give you a prescription to alleviate the reaction but once you know what the encounter with the culprit does to you, avoid it as a plague and remember that you can suddenly develop an allergy to a substance which you have been using or taking for a long time, therefore suspect every thing unless you find out the real "Culprit" . For allergy of the face, make a paste of Brewer’s yeast tablets and water and apply on the face . Leave it on for half an hour. Do this for 2 days and the face will clear up beautifully.
WINTER’S ITCH
The term is applied to itching which appears during the winter and clears up during the warm summer months. This condition is usually due to excessive dryness of the skin during the cold winter months. It is also due to wearing of too many woolen garments, too many hot baths, too little sun, lack of sweating, too much use of soaps and perfumes and dietary deficiencies. Arms and legs are commonly affected by it. To minimize winter’s itch, every day massage your body with olive, almond or coconut oil an hour before you go in for your bath. Besides abstain from wearing woolens next to the skin. Reduce hot baths and use of the soap to the minimum. Take 2 Vitamin A tablets daily and expose yourself to the sun for at least an hour daily. Winter’s itch disappears in warm weather because perspiration caused by the heat helps to keep the skin moist and soft.
CHAPPED SKIN
Chapped skin has a rough texture which causes the skin sometimes to crack. The best way to cure yourself of this condition is to avoid the use of soap completely. Instead, clean your skin with cold cream. Half an hour before you take your bath massage olive, coconut or mustard oil vigorously on your body. After bath apply hand and body lotion on your body. Take Vitamin A twice a day because Vitamin A is stored in the fat just beneath the surface of the skin counteracting any tendency towards dryness and roughness. Do not wear woolens or other rough clothing like sweaters next to the skin. Always wear white cotton clothes next to the skin, over these you can wear woolen clothes to protect yourself against cold. If you have developed scales then the best remedy for you is to take a saline bath. Add 3 pounds of table or rock salt to 12 gallons of warm water in the tub. Soak in this water for 15 to 20 minutes daily. Blot dry and then massage gently with olive, coconut or almond oil or cold cream. This simple inexpensive treatment gives considerable relief from itching and scaling. But saline bath should be only taken when you are in excellent physical health.
EXCESSIVE PERSPIRATION AND BODY ODOUR
Excessive perspiration usually occurs on the palms, soles, under the breast, forehead and scalp. It is often accompanied by offensive odor which is largely due to decomposition of sweat and contamination with micro-organisms. Under unclean circumstances micro-organisms flourish giving rise to unsightly boils. Therefore, if you are suffering from foul smelling perspiration you should pay special attention to your personal cleanliness. You should take a bath twice daily with an antiseptic soap and plenty of water. Certain areas of the body where perspiration is excessive should be treated with deodorants or anti-per aspirants. But all anti-preprints should be given a trial for a few days in just one area to see if there is any hypersensitivity before applying on larger areas. After the lotion has been applied and perspiration checked, the part should be liberally dusted with boric powder mixed with equal quantities of good scented talcum powder. If your feet perspire profusely then soak them for 15 minutes in a dilute solution of potassium permanent in order to prevent infection and to minimize offensive odor. Refrain from wearing nylon or woolen socks. Wear cotton socks and shoes which have no rubber soles. To check perspiration of the hands, wash them well, dry them and then rub them with a few drops of witch hazel.
BAD BREATH (HALITOSIS)
Often a sufferer of bad breath is quite unaware of her condition . Even her best friend will hesitate to tell her of her condition but bad breath is one condition which most certainly repels people. Bad breath is due to a number of causes. If it is due to bad stomach or constipation then include in your daily diet laxative, fruits and vegetable like figs, papayas, prunes, beetroot’s, spinach, cucumber etc. Besides first thing in the morning, after you get up from your bed, drink a glass of water, If it is due to bad teeth, gums or tonsils, then you should seek medical advice. But you should make it a point to brush your :teeth after every meal and use a reliable mouthwash. To disguise the smells of strong foods like onions, garlic, radishes etc, chew cloves, cardamoms, or anise seeds or an antiseptic lozenge which also acts as a good mouthwash. Take vitamin C, calcium and vitamin B. Eat curd and parsley. Drink feun-greek or peppermint tea.
WITHERED SKIN
Withered skin has a very rough texture usually full of wrinkles. It is due mainly to over exposure to extremes of climate such as too much sun or too much cold. To protect yourself from being a victim of such a skin, protect yourself with an umbrella whenever you are going out. Besides, do not remain outside for any considerable length of time when it is too hot or too cold especially if you have a fine-textured skin. Always cleanse your skin with cold cream instead of soap. It would be a good idea to dispense with the use of soap completely. Massage cold cream into your face in the night. Leave it on for 1 hour, then remove with tissue paper what the skin has not absorbed. Use lip-gloss on your lips. Treat dry itchy skin around the mouth with Vitamin B tablets. Also take 3 tablets of Vitamin A daily. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the bath water before taking your bath. Use a moisturizer below your makeup and a creamy lipstick.
WARTS: The simplest and the most effective natural way to get rid of warts is to apply Vitamin E capsule directly to it twice a day. Do this till it falls off or disappears. Another method is to put warm Castro oil’ or gauze and apply three times a day for half an hour on the warts. You will achieve results within a few months.
VITILIGO: Vitiligo is characterized by dark patches on the skin It is accompanied by itching and burning. Vitiligo is greatly helped by taking Vitamin B complex tablets and well-balanced protein diet. In a few months time the burning sensation disappears and natural pigmentation returns to the person afflicted by it.
CONSTIPATION: A person with a happy stomach enjoys youthful health . Often the bloodstream is a polluted internal river because of constipation. Constipation puts a brake on sparkling vitality and natural beauty. Fresh fruits such as apples, peaches, plums and pears are good for constipation but they should be eaten with their skins. Carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, potatoes and beetroot’s are also helpful. Dried fruits are also excellent for constipation but they should be taken with plenty of water or eaten stewed. Prunes and figs have a direct laxative effect. A nice long walk daily will also help. Besides, drink plenty of water daily.
SUNBURNS: Sunburns are caused when the skin is overexposed to the hot rays of the sun. The symptoms vary with the intensity of the burns. The symptoms may just be a slight flush or even blistering or loss of skin. Immediately after the burn there may be a sensation of heat which is followed in a few days by itching and peeling of skin. Sunburns seldom produce scars unless there is secondary infection of the burn area. The application of cold cream, Vaseline or olive oil will stop the sensation of burning and dryness. In severe cases apply burn to the burned areas.
SUNTAN: This is another skin ailment which is caused by the overexposure of the skin to the sun’s hot rays. The best remedy is to make a paste of raw tomato and buttermilk and apply on the face and other areas affected by suntan. Let it remain for half an hour. Do this daily to get results.
FRECKLES: These are exceedingly common pigmented spots of the skin which are frequently grouped or in rare cases scattered all over the surface of the body. They represent a reaction of the skin to the sun and will not appear if the skin is protected effectively from the sun. Sensitive skins are more prone to get freckles. Therefore, if you have a sensitive skin stay out of the sun as much as you can and protect your face with an umbrella whenever you go out in the sun. Take 1 teaspoon of grated raddish, mix with one-fourth teaspoon each of curds and lime juice and apply on the affected areas. Leave for half an hour. This treatment will definitely lighten your freckles considerably. Besides, you can bleach your freckles with hydrogen peroxide-ammonia mixture once a week. You should use a foundation cream slightly darker than your skin coloring.
OPEN PORES: To cure yourself of this condition, steam your face once a week with hot water to which juice of 1 lime and a teaspoon of rose water has been added. After 10 minutes fill another basin with warm water. Add 12 drops of tincture of benzoic to this. Bathe your face with this, then rub ice on the whole face. Pat dry, then apply moisturizer on the whole face. They are usually caused by excessive use of cold cream. Therefore, apply only a little cream daily to keep the skin young and moist. Apply astringent lotion beneath the makeup. The best remedy for enlarged pores is to daily rub on the skin half teaspoon of lime juice mixed with one-fourth teaspoon each of tomato juice and milk.
PRICKLY HEAT: This is a very common condition during the hot weather. The most effective remedy for prickly heat is to take a small piece of sandalwood and rub it on a stone to form a paste with a little rose water. Mix in a pinch of powdered alum and apply on the affected areas twice a day. Another effective remedy is to dissolve a tablespoon of soda bicarbonate in half a cup of water. Mix in one teaspoon of rose water. Apply on the affected portions a few times daily with cotton wool.
SCARS: To remove minor scars resulting from burns take a small piece of dry coconut and hold it on fire with a pair of tongs until it turns black. Grind it and squeeze out its oil. Apply this oil a couple of times daily on the scar. If it is applied immediately after the burn, it proves very effective in preventing unsightly burn scars.
DARK LIPS: Heavy application of lipstick or the use of cheap brand of lipstick turns the lips dark. Fresh air, vitamins and iron are required for maintaining red lips. Also keep them free from lipstick as much as possible. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, take carrot and orange juice and every day. Before going to bed massage your lips with a few drops each of glycerine, lime juice and honey.
ITCHING: The main cause of itching besides allergy and other skin diseases is dryness. Especially after the age of thirty the skin loses its moisture and starts drying gradually, therefore it’s a good idea to massage yourself with oil every day before taking bath if you are suffering from itching. Also take Vitamin A & C in the form of tablets. Vitamin E oil is the best oil for combating itching. Sandalwood oil also helps. If the itching is intolerable, then apply a paste of baking soda and rose water to the affected parts.
