How aloe vera gel and tea tree oil can come to the rescue of your skin

Our beauty expert Rima Soni answers your queries

I have quite a few issues: 1) My nails don't tend to grow much. What can be done to fasten growth? 2) The skin on my forehead is darker than the rest of my body. How can I get rid of the colour difference? 3) I have a few pimple-like spots on my chest. Doctors have given prescriptions saying there's water accumulated in those spots. I've even used homeopathic medicines as they work the best for me, but there were no results! How can I get rid of these marks? 4) My teeth tend to turn yellow. Any natural remedy? 5) I got a bikini wax done a few times but it was very painful. Any home remedy that's less painful?
- Richa
1) For nails to grow healthy, follow a nourishing diet, and drink at least 10 to 12 glasses of water daily. Additionally, massage nails with warm olive oil mixed with a few drops of lemon juice, and leave overnight. Do this every day for best results. 2) Tomatoes lighten the skin; rub a slice of tomato on the forehead and leave overnight. 3) Take aloe vera gel and add a few drops tea tree oil; apply this on the chest every day and leave overnight. This will cool and calm the skin, and the pimples will disappear. 4) Add a sprinkle of baking soda to your toothpaste; this will help whiten the teeth. 5) Waxing is the best for bikini hair; or get laser treatment done by a good dermatologist.
I have dark circles under my eyes, dark underarms and kneecaps. I also have soft facial hair - not a full beard. On the other hand, I have rough thick hair; I'd like to have straight, silky hair or wavy hair. Please recommend natural remedies for my above problems.
- Asim
Dark circles, underarms and kneecaps can be lightened with potato pulp: just rub some on affected areas and keep on for 15 minutes daily, till such time you get the desired results. For a full beard, apply castor oil and a few drops of rosemary oil to activate hair growth in the area. For your hair, apply coconut milk, and leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing off; this will help soften hair and add a silky texture to it. Do this regularly.

I am a 17-year-old girl. I have started getting dandruff on the back of my scalp. Please suggest a remedy that will not involve yoghurt or egg. I also have some scars on my face due to acne, and a tanned skin tone.
My sister is 14; she recently injured her knee and now there are dark patches on her knee; her elbows are also dark and she has acne and boils on her back and shoulder. Finally, my mother, 42, has old scars from chicken pox, and acne. I'd like a remedy for her too!
- Name withheld
Dab a few drops of tea tree oil in hair partings; leave overnight and shampoo next day. Do this till your dandruff disappears. Tomato pulp will lighten scars and skin tone.
For your sister: take grated potato pulp, and apply on knees, elbows and dark patches. Do this regularly to lighten skin. Tea tree oil is the best treatment for acne and pimples; dab on affected areas and leave on for some time.
For your mum's chicken pox marks: mix rice powder with water, and apply the paste on skin; scrub off when dry. This will gradually smoothen out the marks.
My father is 43. He has very thick eyebrows, like a uni-brow. Apart from getting it done professionally, is there a way to groom his eyebrows naturally?
- Name withheld
Laser treatment is best to shape the brows and make them look well groomed. Contact a good therapist, and get laser done for your dad.
(Got a beauty-related query? Write to Rima Soni at wknd@khaleejtimes.com)

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