Treat your dandruff, treat your acne

It sounds simple, but it's really easier said than done. If you find that you're constantly breaking out with blackheads, pimples, boils, etc, try washing your hair every second day to keep oil and dander off of your face.

Earlier I'd written on how it's important to change your pillowcases and sheets often to cure dandruff. The same remedy can be applied to treating acne.

Stop hair fall now

Is your hair falling out? Were you one of those who used to wake up in the morning to brush your thick hair and now, thanks to your hair fall, you are reduced to waking up to seeing at least 50 strands of loose hair spread out over your pillow?

The time to stop your hair fall is now. It can be a thing of the past. Start by understanding the core root of the problem.

Why does your hair fall out?

o A common myth is that a severe case of dandruff makes your hair fall out by handfuls. This however, is a myth and not a fact. Dandruff is a condition of the scalp caused by dead skin cells being shed. This does not affect the hair to a point where it falls out in handfuls.
o An important thing to remember is that losing or ‘shedding’ upto 100 strands of hair in a day is normal. The body easily replaces the fallen hair and as such, is part of a natural process.
o It could be due to a poor intake of vitamins – namely, the vitamin B6 and folic acid which is essential for hair repair and healthy skin.
o Hair fall often occurs due a non-balanced diet.
o It can occur after a prolonged illness, constant stress or unhygienic living conditions.

Treat your hair loss the natural way

o Massage your hair daily to encourage good blood circulation below the scalp.
o Eat a vitamin rich diet.
o Eat carrots, spinach, cabbage, nuts, wheat germ, liver, etc.
o Rub lime juice on your scalp with a cotton ball and allow it to steep into your scalp at least one hour prior to washing your hair.
o Apply coconut milk on your scalp and massage at least one hour before washing your hair.
o Try changing your shampoo.
o Change your pillow case and sheet often so as to promote good hair and skin hygiene.
o Wash your hat and hair scrunchies often.
o Apply henna to your hair at least once a week.

Before not too long, with the proper hair care, you should have noticed a visible change in your hair health. Hair loss will cease, and you will be a happier, healthier person because of it.

What works for you? Do you have a secret hair care recipe that you’re willing to share with us all? We’d all love to hear it!

Soften your feet with cocoa butter

Especially in summer months and dry climates, it can be quite a feat (no puns intended) to keep your feet soft and pleasant-looking. For women who wear open shoes, and men who wear sandals, keeping your feet clean and neat can be difficult when all day the sun and dust are working against the best of your efforts.

I read an article that a friend of mine had written in which she said that she found an effective feet softener – easy to use, quick and result-friendly. She said that she applies cocoa butter to her feet at night and wears socks to keep the moisture cream from rubbing off while it works its magic. By morning, you can remove your socks and actually feel the difference in and on your feet.

I found my friend’s advice to be spot on. Needless to say, if you need this remedy for any other part on you, just make sure you remember to wear a covering that is not too loose so as not to rub off the cocoa butter moisturizing cream. If you need to cream up your legs, wear tights or stockings to help keep that moisture in place. If you need to soften your hands, wear gloves.

For those of you who have cracks on the heels of your feet that bleed or pus, you may want to try a medical path before you jump to this easy remedy right away. This works great for dry and calloused feet, but deep cracks and bleeding may require something more antiseptic till they heal up a bit more. Get your doctor’s advice.

Are manicures and pedicures important?

Without a doubt, the answer is a yes. How well you maintain your hands and feet is a sure sign to others of the level your general personal hygiene and the importance you place on it. Sporting unkempt hands or feet is the quickest way to convey to those around you that you are untidy, careless or consider your outward appearance a non-priority.

They say that God looks on the heart, but I’m sorry to say that we humans aren’t quite so forgiving. We judge character by the outward appearance and right or not, there isn’t one man or woman alive that doesn’t look at you and in an instant assume you are something or another. Well okay.. maybe there are a few who don't do that. There still are some pure folk left on this earth. But that said, the majority of us aren’t quite so agreeable. For those lot, if you want to come across as 'together' make sure your extremities are well looked after.

Maintaining and giving care to your hands and feet doesn’t need to take forever. I do it while listening to music or while on a hands-free call with a friend. I wouldn’t recommend you boast of that to everyone, but it definitely does help you to do what you need to without skimping on anything else in your day.

If you can’t find the time to do it yourself, or you’ve just never learned how, go to a parlor or a men’s salon. And again, it is not gay to watch out for your appearance and to aim to look sexy. Going to a professional place to get it done may also help you sneak in that head and shoulders massage you’ve been dying to have for awhile now.

Manicures and pedicures can be done at the same time at a beauty spa, parlor, salon, or what have you. They can take an hour at the maximum, though that’s if you go in for the massage as well ;).

Teaching yourself to do a home remedy for your beautification process is not at all difficult. Watch some youtube.com videos and learn to be a do it yourself pro!

Happy beautifying!

Women use public bathrooms? Ew!

Are you one of those women who find using public toilets against the grain of your being? Do you walk into a public restroom and go ‘Ew!’? Is your first reaction to stop drinking liquids on a long trip so that your visits to the less-than-hygienic restroom stops along the way are infrequent? If you are, shake my hand on it. I’m another one of those germ-conscious, I-hate-using-public-restroom people. 

Unfortunately though, no matter what precautions we take, there will always be that inevitable ‘I gotta go now!’ situation where your mind simply does not yield to taking control over the matter. In those odd and sometimes freaky situations (local public restrooms and the like) there are ways in which you can keep yourself clean and still do your thing. 

Here are some methods I’ve found to be especially clean and helpful. I hope it’s a help to those of you out there who are conscious and find it awkward to deal with such situations. 

Take ‘The Stance’
The Stance is something every mother teaches to her daughter. If not, some kind friend while growing up will show you the way. It’s just one of those ‘must have’ skills. 

Using The Stance skill, is not difficult at all. Anyone with legs that can reach the floor can do it. You just do your thing without actually sitting on that seat. 

Always carry tissue paper 
In my experience in India, it’s a 50/50 chance as to whether or not you will actually find this ‘luxury’ in many public restrooms. 

Make it a point to ALWAYS carry some with you. If not for this, then it’ll come in handy in some other way – as a first-aid help, as a way to dry your hands, etc. Keep it handy.

Another way you can use your tissue stash, is by laying it out over the toilet seat so you can actually sit down on that seat without having to wonder if the woman before you had anything you may catch.

Wet/ Antibacterial wipes
I used to carry a box of wet wipes with me everywhere I went, although my handbag would often get heavy and I have to admit that I ended up chucking it out of my daily carry-on luggage. Instead I found a nice alternative to that: antibacterial wipes. 

Antibacterial wipes are perfect for wiping your hands after using a public restroom, especially if there is no running water or clean soaps available (which I have often found to be the case). 

See if you can get the individually wrapped antibacterial wipes, as it’s more practical and hygienic this way.

Hand disinfectant
Now I carry this along with me just incase I run out of wipes, but I should think that if you have the antibacterial wipes with you always, you wouldn’t need this as well. 

I picked up a Pure Hands Herbal Hand Sanitizer by Himalaya at a local Guardian pharmacy the other day and though I’ve yet to use it, just the thought of it being there 'just incase' is reassuring. 

So… there’s my little piece of advice to you fellow women when faced with such dire everyday situations. But it’s not unique for us women, you men can find some good tips in here too!