DIY brightening mask, anyone?

I am a 14-year-old girl. Recently, I had a lot of itching and dryness on my left leg, which has left ugly spots. Also, my skin is oily and my lips are dark because I frequently pull out lip skin. Please suggest easy home remedies for my problems.
- Yasmine
Mix a little sugar, a little glycerine, a few drops of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of almond oil and gently scrub your skin with it. Do this every day, and you will see amazing results. Make a mask of tomato or strawberry purée and oats powder, and apply this brightening mask daily to skin. Leave on 30 minutes and rinse off with cold water. You may also apply this mask on your lips. These treatments will be able to repair the issues you're facing.
I'm a 17-year-old girl with dry skin. I have pimples on my face which leave black scars that remain for around one-and-a-half months. Also, the area between my nose and upper lip, and the area around my lips are really dark. Please suggest quick remedies for both.
- Name Withheld
Strawberry with yoghurt and honey will be the best mask for your skin; it will exfoliate dry skin, lighten it and get rid of pimples and marks. You may add corn flour to give body to the mask, and avoid it from dripping. The same mask can be used for the nose and upper lip areas.
I am a 14-year-old girl. Since last year, my hair has been falling. I used to have thick hair, but now it is very thin. I use oil daily; and if I don't, my hair becomes too rough. I need home remedies for all these problems.
- Alia
Brush your hair every day; this helps activate blood circulation on your scalp. Thrice a week, massage aloe vera gel in your hair; after 10 minutes, you may massage a warm oil of your choice. You hair quality will improve tremendously. Your diet should be a blend of fresh green leafy vegetables and low-fat protein foods. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. Keep your body calm; try and do meditation. Add yoga to your routine, three days a week.
I am a 12-year-old girl. The area around my lips is darker than the rest of my body. I have tried a few remedies - but in vain. Can you please suggest an effective remedy?
- SS
Sometimes, the area around the mouth gets darker if you are PMS-ing or even during your menstrual cycle; body is stressed, so you need to calm it down; drink fresh green juices and eat lots of fresh fruits. Carrot and apple juice are very good! Massage extra virgin coconut oil around the mouth area daily; this will help lighten the skin.
My hair fall is getting worse every week; my hair falls especially when I oil and shampoo my hair. I've been using a mix of castor oil and coconut oil of late. But the castor oil is quite heavy on my hair, making it look greasy. Am I using it wrong? Please advise.
- Niharika
Proportion should be: castor oil quarter part, three-fourths of another rich hair oil. Soak 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds overnight. Next day, in a blender, take 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel, add the fenugreek, and make a creamy mask. Massage well into scalp. Leave on for 1 hour, then rinse off. Avoid shampoo or conditioner after this. This pack will help stop hair fall and improve hair quality. Do this thrice a week. Shampoo your hair just once a week.
(Got a beauty-related query? Write to Rima Soni at wknd@khaleejtimes.com)

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