Almond milk for healthy hair

I have a 2-year-old son who has dry skin both on his face and scalp, as well as thinning hair. Please recommend a solution that is gentle and effective.

— Neelu

To fix the issues that you have mentioned, the first thing to do is increase the intake of water. Also try to include almond milk and oats milk in his diet. They are nourishing and help not only when consumed, but applying them on the affected areas will fix the dryness, and give the hair a healthy texture.

Having followed your column for 
years, I’ve noticed you recommend castor oil in your remedies quite often. I have two questions to ask you. One, what kind of castor oil can be used 
on the hair, considering there are different types available. Secondly, I have a lot of dandruff, which has lead 
to increasing number of acne on my face. Please help me!

— Smita

Castor oil is a treatment oil used for thickening hair. It is available at any 
supermarket or pharmacy, and I would recommend you avoid the perfumed variety. For your dandruff and acne 
problem, I suggest you apply a mix of two tablespoons aloe vera gel, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, on both your scalp and face.

I have a severe acne problem, which seems to have gotten worse lately. Kindly tell me how I can fix it.

— Name withheld

Make a mix of 1 tablespoon tomato 
juice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and corn flour. Apply this mask daily on the 
face, and when it dries, rinse it with cold water. This mask will help reduce the acne problem.

I am an 18-year-old girl, and I need a solution for my dark neck, and upper lip hair. Please help me!

— Name withheld

Take 1 teaspoon of oats powder, 1 teas-poon of rice powder, and mix this 
with tomato juice. Apply this on your face and neck, and gently scrub off 
when dry. Gradually the fine hair on 
upper lip will break and also the neck will lighten. Daily application will help your problem.

I have very tiny pimples on my face, 
but while some of them grow bigger 
and become painful, some stay small, and give my face a rough texture. I also have recurring blackheads. Please suggest a solution.

— Rasha

Take 1 teaspoon of soda bicarbonate, mix with warm water, and apply it on the face. Rinse this with warm water after 10 minutes, and follow up with a honey and cinnamon mask. Keep this on for 30 minutes, rinse with warm water, and follow up with a cold splash. Doing this three times a week will help solve the problem.