Wellbeing .

Q: I am a 21-year-old girl. I have black head on my nose. I take good care of my skin. I use a mild soap and wash my face twice a day. My skin, except for these black head, is clear. Please help.

A: Black heads, also known as open comedones, are follicles with a wide opening. They can be treated with local keratolytic creams or ointments as advised by a dermatologist. Or you could make a thick paste out of black pepper powder and curd and apply it on the infected area and let it dry. Wash it off after 5-7 minutes. Take two tablespoons of oatmeal and three tablespoons of yogurt. Mix and add a tablespoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of olive oil. Whisk together in a bowl. Apply over infected area and leave it on for 5-7 minutes. Rinse. Alternatively, you could blend peeled cucumber to a thick paste. Apply the mixture as a face mask. Leave it on for 25 minutes and wash off with cold water.
Dr Vandana Jayaprakash

Q: I am a 17-year-old boy and I am 5 feet 7 inches tall. I weigh 64 kg. A year ago, I lifted weights of up to 35 kg for a month. My worry is that I have not grown taller since then. Have I stopped growing? Should I start lifting weights again?

A: There is no scientific evidence  to prove that weight training stunts growth. Height is determined by a complex combination of genetics and environment. When an individual hits puberty, growth is at its peak, after which the body cannot grow any taller. So, if you feel you have stopped growing, your body must have reached the peak of its height growth. You may start lifting weights or try resistance training. You may also alternate weights with an aerobic form of exercise, five days a week.
Parul Dube

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