CARE OF THE HAIR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18446, 6 January 1922, Page 8

CARE OF THE HAIR.

SUMMER EFFECTS. It 13 not generally realised in what briefperiod an even, luxuriant head of hair may be lost through either neglect or wrong, treatment. During the summer the scalp slrin 'unavoidably becomes over-heated, a condition which induces an excess both of perspiration and fattv exudation. Tlio, clogging of the pores follows, and dust and small particles of various lands quickly adhere and cause the hair to cling in damp, Heavy strands. It is at this stage usually loss begins. At first the hair comes ■cot in almost imperceptible quantity, and only experience forsees the beginning of the ©no of the beauty of a perhaps particularly abundant growth. If no attention bo given the continues, and gradually increases, until ierious alarm is felt as to the consequences. The hair by this time has not only evidently thinned, much of its lustre and vitality has gone. Brushed or combed, the result is the same: bristle and comb are loaded with hair,’ which a wise woman, in view of future possibilities, will do well to collect and put away! A “switch” BometStnes proves immensely serviceable and presents a good appearance to the world whilst the 111 and faded hair rests uncurled and unrolled, until both strength and colour are regained. The curling of the hair year, after year necessarily somewhat affects Jts vigour. Much benefit will result if a more simple style of arrangement be adopted during the interval employed, in efforts calculated to restore the hair to its former healthy condition. PERFECTION OF BEAUTY. “Beauty in man' or woman,” says a writer, “is a gift divine; yet the crowning beauty is the hair, lacking which there is ao true perfection.” The truth of that conciurion is very generally admitted. There are degrees of beauty both in man and womatty but deficient lodes make serious claims jto that desirable attribute impossible. | Not only the quantity of hair possessed, but texture, gloss, and colour, mast ibe taken into consideration when regarding it as a point in the feminine contest far the golden apple! No Paris would favourably regard a woman with scanty, iU-looldng hair. Hot summers rob hair of its -gold, its sunny brown and gleaming lights, causes it to weaken and fall, until’ even the most inexperienced girl regards her brush and its rich gleanings with growing_ alarm. Nor are the unlovely, moistened strands the only result of hot December days. The scalp-skin, untended, develops presently dandruff or that still more serious symptom, fine, white, sandlike particles which fall from the hair whenever it is brushed or combed. Now indeed? is the time when systematic care is imperatively demanded. The fall becomes more and more decided, and will continue to increase the scalp-skin receives of which it is so urgently in ‘ REMEDIAL MEASURES. A certain oommonsense should rule when remedial measures are being employed for any purpose whatever. To blindly proceed to act; on instructions without noting rer suits jg not what is expected of intelligence, trained by experience and mature. Brushing -the hair is, under normal circumstances, good, but to use the brush freely at the Critical, period indicated aggravates the fail. * Discontinue temporarily the considerable us© of the brush. Employ it only to that limited extent required in arranging the coiffure. Remember that hair beginning to fall; or already coming out in handfuls, must be coaxed and most gently persuaded. 'A' shampoo must be the first preliminary to definite restorative treatment. Proceed .with such work with due regard to the tenderness of tho scalp-skin and the liability of the hair to fall at the least provoCleanliness, however, is absolutely Zleceaeory. For hair washing purposes tho most simple shampoo is preferable to one Containing ingredients of a more or less expensive kind. If rosemary grows in your garden, gather a handful of the leaves, cut them up in a basin, then pour upon them a pint of boiling water direct from the kettle. Lot it stand for an hour, strain off the liquid, add to it one quart of warm boiled water, and stir in three tablespoonfuls of- Castile soap jelly. If no rosemary, fresh and green, be available, tho following xeoipo jmay be substituted : -—Warm,. bailed ■water,'brie quart; Castile soup jelly, three tablespoonfuls; glycerine, two tablespoonfuls. Castile soap jelly and warm boiled water alone result m a mixture excellent for cleansing the scalp-skin and imparting polish and abeen to tho hair. MEANS TO RESTORE. A shamptap oh one or other of tho lines indicated stay be given as frequently as desired. fall of the hair will in part be temporarily arrested when thk scalpakin ha«- recently been cleansed. This act you wilr'qpiokly notice for yourself.' The natural conclusion is that such means are in themselves highly beneficial. Frequent washing of the hair is injurious only when harmful agents are employed, such as water, borax or ammonia, or when the hair is insufficiently rinsed and a certain amount of soap -remains to irritate tho skin and thill the .brightness otherwise following upon a shampoo. Use soft .Turkish towels for drying purposes, and do not roughly mb ■the head. “Clip tire ends of the hair. Some authorities consider that the shorter the 'hair the greater is- its vitality. Whilst the fall is proceeding, sticky applications, pomades, and scalp-skin foods are better left alone. The following lotion is one of the best for presenring and promoting tho growth of the hair at this crisis:—Bay rum, four ounces; tincture ■ jaborandi, one and abalf drachm; tincture of cantharides, half an ounce; olive oil, three ounces. Apply with a small sponge to the roots of the hair and gently rub. —Weekly Times (Melbourne).