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HOME REMEDIES Things right out of your kitchen and refrigerator can help you fight the harmful effects of the sun on your skin and hair. SHAILA SUDARSHAN

Too much sun and too little protection is bad for both your skin and hair. The sun’s ultraviolet rays lead to aging of skin, with wrinkles, brown patches and loss of elasticity. Fret not because here are some home remedies to help you fight the sun right from the comfort of your house… 

• To start with, sour curd is excellent for sunburn. A daily massage with curd and oatmeal soothes skin to perfection, and a glass of buttermilk completes the treatment. 
• Those who suffer from dry skin can try this one. Take two parts of coconut oil and one part of sesame oil. Warm a little and then blend together. When cool add lime juice and store in refrigerator. Massage on skin daily for 15 minutes, splash water and then pat your skin dry. 
• For that glowing skin, soak a cup of rice in water. When it softens, blend it with cucumber and add some curd. Apply as body pack once a week.
• Beta carotene and vitamin C help protect against UV damage as well pigmentation problem. But avoid popping pills. Include the following in your diet: carrots, sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, orange, cherry pomegranate, cucumber, peaches, pear and melon. Try whipping up a juice with apple, carrot and a little ginger. It works wonders for your skin and also keeps you hydrated. 
• Peaches and melon help refine skin texture, grapes are toners, melon make a great cold compress for tired eyes; mashed papayas make excellent exfoliaters. Seasonal fruits mashed with oatmeal or chick peas or cornmeal is an instant face mask. But this is effective only when done regularly and made freshly. 
• The sun has a bad effect on hair too. Those who colour their hair, here’s a word of caution: try to avoid it till summer’s gone by. Chemicals on your hair may lead to pigmentation, pimples and dry hair. Use bananas and coconut milk to coat the hair; flower power like marigold and leaves of hibiscus to help minmise sun damage. Lastly wash your hair daily and bathe twice a day to keep dust, pollution and sweat at bay.

Shaila is the proprietor of Shyl’s Salon, Alwarpet

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