The chickpea pimple cure

 I am a new follower of your column and 16 years old. I have oily skin around my nose. Recently, I had an outbreak of pimples and they look really ugly. You suggested applying sandalwood paste before but, when I do so, I get an unpleasant, burning sensation. In my community, it is a common practice to apply gram/chickpea flour mixed with water - would you recommend this? Can rose water be used for the type of skin I have? Please suggest a suitable remedy, one that does not involve using oils on my face.
- Rachel
It is always good to hear from a new fan. I personally like sandalwood and am surprised that you're experiencing a burning sensation with it. Besan or gram flour helps reduce the oils in the skin and works well as a scrub. If you would like to apply this instead, go ahead. You can also add rose water to the besan (instead of water) to make it more effective. Tomato juice is also an excellent alternative. Do this daily to help control the pimples and shrink the pores.
I am 29 years old. I started losing hair about five years back but did not pay attention to the issue at the time. I've been using a herbal oil for a year now and am glad to report that my hair has started growing again, albeit at a very slow rate. I want a remedy that can give me good results rapidly and perhaps help me be rid of baldness forever. I also have dandruff  and an itchy scalp at times.
- Name withheld  
I would suggest you continue with the herbal oil you've been using so far. Additionally, you can also try the following: Mix four drops of tea tree oil with four drops of rosemary oil, then add one tablespoon of almond oil and a teaspoon of castor oil to this. Massage this into your scalp and leave on overnight. Shampoo off the next day. You may do this twice a week, followed by the herbal oil once a week. Do ensure that you drink a minimum of 8-10 glasses of water everyday.

I have been reading your articles every week for the past six months, and using some of your remedies - after which I'm actually seeing a lot of improvement. For the past year, I've been having a lot of pimples - despite having clear skin previously, right from puberty. I'm also suffering from hair fall. I have been using your remedy of tomato juice mixed with honey and oats powder, which has worked very well. But the dark pimple marks refuse to go. Please suggest a remedy that will get rid of these marks - as well as a good hair mask for hair fall.
- K Sainath
Scars left by pimples can be lightened by applying the following treatment: Take a few drops of potato juice and add an equal proportion of Vitamin E oil to it. Apply this over the dark spots and leave on overnight. I am glad you were happy with the tomato mask. Continue with the tomato juice, honey and oats treatment during the day. Your skin will brighten and glow. Hair fall can be arrested with lots of care. Brush hair gently daily, both in the morning and at night, to activate blood circulation and tone the hair. Steaming the scalp also helps to cleanse and oxygenate the hair follicles. Massage a creamy mix of almond powder and fenugreek juice into your scalp and leave it on for a couple of hours. Rinse and allow hair to dry naturally. Shampoo the next day. This rich protein treatment should be done twice or thrice a week.

I am a 36-year-old male and a regular reader of your column. I used to be very fair, but have been noticing my complexion getting really dark over the last two years. It is now darker than the rest of my body, even though I don't go out in the sun. Can you please give me a home remedy to regain my fairness?
- Name withheld
Mix coconut milk with corn flour and apply it daily on your face. Leave it on for an hour before rinsing. Your skin tone will lighten.

I am a 20-year-old girl and have many pimples on my nose. My face is very dry as well. Could you please suggest an effective home remedy for me?
- Name withheld
Drink two tablespoons of aloe vera gel daily and also massage some on your face to help clear the pimples on the nose and face. This gel can be left on overnight for best results. The beauty of aloe vera is that it is the best cleanser for the body, both inside and outside.

(Got a beauty-related query? Write to Rima Soni at wknd@khaleejtimes.com)