I recently cut off my dreadlocks, which involved much teasing out of knotted hair and beeswax. The hair left is fine and limp. Is the damage permanent? Any suggestions?

Most women have low iron stores, particularly if you don't eat much red meat and if you are menstruating. This can have a direct impact on your hair: the body takes the iron stored in the hair follicle to use for more urgent needs, resulting in fewer healthy follicles and thinning hair. Wispiness around the hairline is a sign of this. Keratin produced from substantial protein in your diet improves the quality of your hair. Nature's Best's supplement Nutri Hair provides essential nutrients to help maximise hair growth in women (01892 552117, naturesbestonline.com).Use only natural shampoos and conditioners; ask in your local healthfood shop.

I am a 41-year-old woman, vegetarian for 25 years, and in good health. I have fairly large breasts, with my left breast roughly one cup size larger than the right. But recently it has become swollen and warm, increasing by two cup sizes in a matter of days. A mammogram, fine-needle biopsies and ultrasound have ruled out inflammatory breast cancer. My consultant tells me that the ultrasound revealed a fibroadenoma, but that the cause of the problem was hormonal. He doesn't think anything needs to be done, but my breast feels hot, heavy and uncomfortable; and none of my bras fits me.

Ask your specialist to test for fibrocystic breast disease (FBD), which is common among women in their late 30s and 40s. Benign cysts in the breast tissue move freely, are influenced by hormone fluctuations and are especially painful and enlarged just before periods.

Chemicals called methylxanthines, found in coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks and many drugs, are thought to be linked to FBD. Studies have shown that eliminating these substances from the diet and supplementing vitamin E (400IU increasing to 800IU daily) can drastically improve symptoms. Vitamin E can raise blood pressure, so check first with your GP. B vitamins help to regulate oestrogen levels; magnesium and zinc are also beneficial; and evening primrose oil (two caps three times a day) has been found to help, but may take three months to make a difference. Kelp is a rich vegetarian source of iodine, a deficiency of which is thought to cause FBD. A poultice of the herb poke root will relieve the pain and inflammation.

I am 30 and have noticed red veins spreading under my eyes. I'm not keen on laser treatment. Have you any recommendations? (I've had varicose veins since 17, and twice undergone surgery, though they have responded well to homeopathic treatment.)

You may have inherited a susceptibility to vein problems. Continue treatment with your homeopath. The antioxidant vitamins (C and E) and bioflavonoids in berries, cherries, and yellow, orange, red and green vegetables and fruit strengthen the capillary walls. Take an antioxidant complex, 500IU of vitamin E and 2x 1,000mg of vitamin C plus bioflavonoids daily. I had little red veins on my face in pregnancy, and found that certain essential oils got rid of them over a period of weeks: add three drops each of cypress, frankincense and neroli (and one of rose Otto, if feeling indulgent) to 20ml vitamin E cream. Apply gently to the whole face nightly.

· Emma Mitchell is a natural health therapist. Her recommendations are to be followed in conjunction with advice from your own healthcare provider. Send your questions to Wellbeing, Guardian Weekend, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. Email: ask.emma@theguardian.com.