Dark circles: Home remedies

Try these simple natural home remedies to get rid of that oh-so-exhausted look on your face

Dark circles are a common problem not only amongst hassled housewives but also anyone with hectic work schedules and erratic sleep hours. They are not a very grave problem but can make you look much older than you already are. And in today's age where the market is being flooded with anti-ageing, skin lightening creams, it is a considered almost a fashion crime to sport dark circles. Here are some natural home remedies to help to get rid of those ghastly-looking dark circles:

- Grate some raw potato and soak a cotton ball in the potato juice. Close your eyes and place these cotton balls on your eyes. Make sure they cover the dark circles under your eyes as well as the eyelids. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash off with cold water.

- Applying a mixture of a teaspoon of tomato and lime juice, twice a day will help in reducing the dark circles.

- Drink a glass of tomato juice with some mint leaves, lemon juice and salt. Drinking this twice a day is another remedy.

- Prepare a paste of four to five almonds with some milk. Apply this paste over the affected area and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. This will lighten the skin around the eyes.

- A mixture of a few teaspoons of fresh pineapple juice along with a pinch of turmeric powder, when applied on the dark circles regularly will help clear them.

- Every night before sleeping, apply creams containing vitamin E and C around the eyes.

- Crush some mint leaves and apply them around the eyes. Doing this will also provide a cooling effect on tired eyes. 

Treating hair loss : Causes and Remedies

What causes hair damage and hair loss?

The causes are many. Chemicals used during straightening treatments, perming, highlighting, bleaching and colouring are some of the major culprits when it comes to damaging hair. Chemicals in some hair gels, shampoos or hair conditioners can also cause hair damage. Not to forget, malnutrition, fever, some drugs used in cancer medication, stress, pregnancy and childbirth are some of the common causes of hair damage and hair fall.

Tips for treating hair loss

1. Avoid using chemicals unnecessarily for styling hair
2. Clips and bands to tie the hair should not be too tight.
3. Cut the tip of the hair to remove split ends.
4. Use a shampoo formulated for dry or damaged hair.
5. Shampoo only on alternate days.
6. Do not use very hot water to wash hair.
7. Avoid hair driers.
8. Avoid brushing or styling hair till it has dried completely.
9. Use a deep conditioner with protein base once a week.
10. Eat healthy food with plenty of vegetables and fruits.
11. Exercise regularly to de-stress.

If all this does not work, it's time to consult a dermatologist

Top 10 home remedies for healthy hair

Hair can look healthy without visiting high priced salons, paying for expensive treatments and trying many conditioners and shampoos. 

A variety of home remedies for healthy hair can be easily found in our kitchens for better results. From beer to bananas, shiny healthy hair is easy with a variety of these home remedies. Let's have a look. 

Bananas for healthy hair 

Due to high level of potassium found in bananas, they help improve hair health and natural elasticity. 

Use a fork to mash one banana in a bowl, and then apply the mixture from root to tip. Leave the treatment on for 15 minutes, and then wash with shampoo. This treatment will cure dry and damaged hair. 

Egg yolk treatment 

Massaging the yellow portion of the egg on your scalp or a mixture of three egg yolks, 1 tbsp olive oil and three drops of Vitamin E can be a wonderful hair remedy. 

Leave treatment on hair for 10 minutes and then rinse and shampoo hair. You can repeat the procedure at least once a week to ensure best results. This treatment will soften and condition your hair. 

Beer treatment 

A popular remedy is to rinse your hair with a little beer. Place beer into a spray bottle. Shampoo and lightly towel dry hair. Lightly spray beer into hair. 

Believers in this remedy claim that beer has properties that can return the shine to your hair. 

Hair conditioning with mayonnaise 

Apply mayonnaise to wet hair. Leave treatment on hair from 15 minutes to 1 hour. 

Rinse well and shampoo. Mayonnaise is an excellent deep conditioner. 

Oil massage 

Massaging warm oil on to the scalp is a very popular medication in India. You can use coconut or olive oil for best results. 

Leaving this for an hour and following this procedure with the application of limejuice mixed with some vinegar can help you get rid of dandruff. 

Olive oil treatment 

Apply 4 tbsp of olive oil to hair. Massage oil into scalp and hair. Leave on for 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. 

For best results, leave olive oil in hair overnight for additional conditioning. Olive oil will strengthen hair and prevent breakage. 

Mixture of amla powder and lime juice 

Mixture of amla powder and lemon juice can be applied to the hair to help it grow stronger and have a fuller appearance. 

Combine 1 tbsp. amla powder with the juice of one lemon in a small container and shake to dissolve the powder. 

Gently massage the mixture onto the roots of the hair and scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing and shampooing. 

Strawberries for luscious hair 

Mash eight strawberries with one tablespoon mayonnaise. Massage into washed hair. Cover with a shower cap, then a warm towel. 

Wash out with a shampoo and conditioner combination. 

This luscious mix of rich berries will leave your hair both conditioned and with rich gloss. 

Fenugreek seeds 

Soak two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds overnight. Then ground the seeds into a fine paste in the morning and apply over the scalp. Leave it for 30 minutes and then wash thoroughly. 

This is a highly effective remedy to remove dandruff. 

Good diet and exercise 

You are what you eat even with reference to the health of your hair. Consuming fruits and dark green leafy vegetables and the right amount of proteins like nuts, cereals are the key to ensuring the good condition of your hair. 

Along with ample amount of water and little exercise will make your hair healthy and soft. The more you exercise, the better your body's blood circulation will be - which means that your hair will grow stronger, faster and healthier.