Facials & masks for all
Paramjit K. Chugh

THERE is a mask for just about any problem that you may have. Go a head... pamper yourself.

Take one teaspoon tomato juice, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder and a teaspoon of flour. Make a paste and apply. Leave for 10 minutes and wash off.

Take a glass of grapefruit and lemon juice in equal parts to dispel fatigue and general tiredness after work.

This one is messy, but your skin will never feel so soft. Mix equal amounts of honey and sugar. Apply to face and neck. Rub gently in a circular motion. (Make sure your hair is up in a towel). Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Mash the meat of some honeydew melon and smear it on your face and neck. Leave it on for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Beat two egg yolks and apply them to your clean face, forehead and neck. Avoid the eye area. Relax for twenty minutes with your feet raised about 30° higher than your head. Do not talk. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Your skin will feel tightened and toned. Do this once a week.

1. Use the same procedure above but use egg whites instead of yolks. Cleopatra was known to use these.

2. Mix together 1 tsp. yeast, one tbs. sugar, and one half cup of water. Cover and keep in a warm place until it ferments. Remove the top layer of yeast and mix with five drops of lemon juice. Apply as a mask and wait for 15 minutes. Wash with warm water. Sounds yucky, but it works.

This mask will exfoliate and moisturise in one step. Dab 1 tbs. of honey over your face and let it set until tacky. Then wipe away with a cotton ball dipped in pineapple juice. Leave on for 5 minutes, then rinse. Repeat three times a week for wonderful results.

Mix 1 tbs. of sour cream and 1 tbs. of wheat germ flour until it is creamy. Spread it onto face and neck and relax for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Do this once a week.

Massage the pulp of mango into the face. Let dry and rinse. It will unclog your facial pores and make skin tight.

Combine 1 tsp. of Roman Brewer’s yeast (available at health food stores), wheat germ and safflower oil, and one whole beaten egg. Apply to clean skin and let set for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. This facial will keep your skin hydrated and dewy-fresh.

Apply 2 tbs. of yogurt from forehead down to the neck (avoid eye area). Relax for 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. Sweep cotton pads dipped into chilled chamomile tea over face. Rinse and apply a rich moisturiser. Yogurt’s lactic acid reduces wrinkles, minimises age spots and unclogs pores.

This will make your face as soft as a baby’s behind. Dissolve a packet of gelatin, with three tablespoons of distilled water over low heat. Thoroughly blend a peeled, seeded papaya, strain the juice, and mix the juice with the gelatin. Refrigerate for 20 minutes, then apply to face and neck for 15. Rinse and waa-laa!!!

Wanna make the same custom-blended facials that spas sell for big bucks? These are easy and inexpensive. Just start with half a cup of soaked oatmeal in a bowl. For normal skin, mash one-quarter mango; for oily skin, add a few mashed strawberries; for dry skin, mash one-quarter avocado. Mix to form a paste; smoothen over skin and leave on for five minutes then rinse. You’ll have a flawless complexion in no time.

Cleanse and exfoliate your face, then apply a layer of honey all over, including your lips. Using your fingertips, pretend that you are playing the piano on your face. Leave the honey on for 5 to 7 minutes, then rinse with cool water. If you are acne-prone or want to tighten and tone your skin, use egg whites instead.

Dip a wash-cloth in buttermilk and pat it on your face. Allow the buttermilk to air dry. Rinse and pat dry.

Beat two egg whites (they tighten the skin) with 10 drops of freshly squeezed orange juice (it exfoliates, tones and cleanses). Smoothen over clean, dry skin. Let set for 5 minutes then rinse with warm water.

Dip a wash-cloth in yogurt and pat it on your face. Let dry, rinse, pat dry.

Application of fresh mint juice over

face every night cures pimples and prevents dryness of the skin.

Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and rose water. Apply on face and keep for 1/2 hour. 15-20 days of this application helps cure pimples and also removes blemishes and scars.

Laugh your blues away
Karuna Bector

Do you know that laughing and clapping work wonders with your health? According to the Laughter Club International, laughter is one of the finest, economical and easy-to-practice anti-stress exercises. "A one-minute guffaw is as refreshing as 45 minutes of exercise and clapping therapy is a panacea for all diseases, from head to toe," says Dr S. S. Bajaj, Director, Laughter Club, Rose Garden.

The punctual members of the club meet sharp at 6 a.m. to perform the stress-relieving laughter and clapping exercises. Raising their hands, they begin by laughing, making their shoulders move, thorax shake and diaphragm vibrate. As Dr Bajaj explains, "During laughter, brain drug endorphin is released which has pain-relieving properties and promotes the feelings of well-being and strengthening the immune system."

At the time of laughing, one may realise that the heart beats faster, pumping more oxygenated blood all over the body. Also, the blood pressure increases temporarily and falls as you stop, reducing the stress hormones. Those slogging out at the gym must know that 80 muscles are involved in a hearty laughter. It tones up the facial muscles, improving one’s facial expression.

Dr Bajaj, Mr R. L. Khosla, Mr J. K. Nanda, Mr A. L. Chopra, Mr M. M. Madan, Mr Krishan Lal and Mr R. S. Dham enjoy the clapping session following the laughing exercise. The procedure involves opening the fingers wide and clapping such that the fingers, thumb and palm meet their counterpart.

"Clapping for half-an-hour and gradually increasing the speed up to 150 claps per minute is good for health," says Dr Bajaj. It increases the blood circulation while pressing all the pressure points of the hand.

Thunderous claps, combined with whacky laughter, are a cure for many ailments, leaving you active, fresh and energetic throughout the day and physically fit in the long run.

Laughter protects a person from such diseases as asthma, bronchitis, high blood pressure and fatigue, strengthening the immune system. "Clapping therapy is a means to get rid of dandruff and control baldness and graying of hair. It also control eye ailments like clouded vision, cataract, ear ailments, persistent cough, diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pains, mental tension, fatigue, insomnia, dengue and malaria fever," says he. There are also chances of addicts quitting smoking.

The members of the club have an open invitation for all. Join the group or start your own laughter club in the nearby park. Just as another group of around 25 persons laugh their blues away in Sector 46 park near the hockey stadium.

Most of them retired, old persons and veteran sportsmen, they all swear by the laughter therapy that has kept them younger, fitter and relieved from tension. Dharamvir Sharma, Satish Kumar, M. L. Garg, Sewa Singh and others share their problems even as they laugh the four types of laughter: 1. smirking (light) laughter 2. laughter in single breath 3. open laughter 4. soundless laughter.

Everyone needs a break from stressful activities. So, clap and laugh it off!