HOW TO PRESERVE THE HAIR

Evening Star, Issue 11893, 22 May 1903, Page 4

HOW TO PRESERVE THE HAIR

I met not long ago (writes Mrs Fenwick Miller in the ' Daily News') a middle-aged la'dy who possessed magnificent natural hair, such as any girl might sigh for in vain, bhe confided to me that, except for brushing her luxuriant locks vigorously »or ten minutes at a time both night and mornin?, and washing them in a concoction of nettles, such as many Italians use, her only hair tonic was to sit out of doors for in hour at a time, whenever the weather permitted it, in a sunny and private corner of her garden without a hat, and her hair falling loosely over her shoulders. It seems Lhat the fresh air and sunshine proved better medicine than all the hair tonics in the world. Without outraging the proprieties, or exciting the gossip of our good j neighbors, we might with advantage sit at the open window on a warm sunny day j in the same fashion, and try the effect of this fresh air and sun bath. 1 hear that there is a new process in Paris by which the hair is dried after shampooing by means of " compressed air" being blown through it. The tube through which it is conveyed is kept continually in motion, so that the hair is dried very rapidly. As the air "an be turned on hot or cold, according to taste, the sensation must be both soothing and good for the nerves. Rain and wind are almost equally good for the hair, as (hey cleanse the scalp and bring a rich store of oxygen to me young growth. A brisk run in the rain will hurt no young, healthy crpature, if followed by a vigorous rub over with a Turkish towel. Premature loss of hair and dulness of color are mainly due to bad health, depraved nerves, or neglect md ill-treatment. Nothing, as every doctor is aware, plays more havoc with the hair than prolonged illness followed by enfeebled health. The poison of fever in the blood, or the want of red corpuscles in the Wood produced by anemia, are "bound to affect the nourishment of the scalp. The habit of frizzing 'the hair with hot curling tongs or pins has had much to answer for in diminishing its luxuriance' and growth. Repeated applications will in time cauterise the whole growth to which they are applied, taking away all appearance of life and leaving the ends split and broken. Frequent washings with strong alkaline soaps must be avoided, as they tend to dry up the natural creases of Jie Lead and make the hair barsh and brittle. Of coarse it is above all things most Important to keep the head perfectly clean ; but much can be done by means of a soft brush with long bristles. The hair should be separated into three or four parts, so as to prevent entanglement, and thoroughly brushed for ten minutes at a time, botn. night and morning. Brushing by machinery does no harm, if not done too frequently ; but it should be avoided by those who have any tendency to baldness. It is surprising what a beautiful gloss can be given to the hair by rubbing and rolling it about gently w.tb the naked hands, and the sensation is most soothing and refreshing when done by a clever maid. The frequent use of a tooth comb is a lazy and injurious method of cleaning the hair. The sharp teeth are :'pt to irritate the skin of the head, and -to increase mischief when the hair is falling out. Some dermatologists strongly recommend massage with the tips of the fingers, coupled with an application of a strong tonic. When the skin of the head is in a poor condition this is often a successful means of stimulating the pores of the ikin.