GIVE YOUR HAIR A CHANCE!

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 388, 23 June 1928, Page 20

GIVE YOUR HAIR A CHANCE!

“FITNESS” ESSENTIAL “Keeping fit” is the desideratum of us all in these strenuous days, but how many of us extend this zeal for general well-being to the particular province of our crowning glory? Despite the fact that hair is obviously responsive to sympathetic treatment, so to speak, and can be immeasurably strengthened and Improved in appearance by systematic care, we think we have done all that is necessary with a minimum of brushing and the more or less casual application of a tonic. There is more in hair “fitness” than that. When it is at all out of condition, two things are absolutely necessary. First, perfect cleanliness. The scalp should be as spotlessly immaculate as the rest of the body. Second, plenty of friction at the roots, applied by two methods —brushing with a firm brush, and massage. Great care should be taken over the choice of a brush, which should be firm but flexible. Very thick hair obviously requires deep bristles, and the brushing should take place night and morning for at least two or three minutes. Then it Is that the scalp ought to be massaged. The fingertips can be justs slightly “lubricated” with a lotion, or with the merest soupcon of French chalk. Let the rubbing be done gently, but firmly, with the finger-tips moving from the side, the front, and the back of the head toward the centre. Keep up the massage until the scalp glows. Those who have allowed their hair to grow again, or who have never sacrificed it, ought to have it cut and trimmed at leasts once a month. For excessive falling-out of hair, electricity is often wonderfully helpful. And special vibrators, of course, are now available. These are quite inexpensive, and give really excellent results. The use of a lotion is also advantageous. An oily lotion must be used if the hair is too dry; a spirituous type if it is naturally oily and greasy. Castor oil is perfectly splendid for promoting the growth of the hair, and may be used “neat” or worked into a pomade with cocoanut oil. Needless to add. the hair must be kept beautifully healthy and well nourished If one Is to ward off greyness as long as possible./ Dandruff, for instance, is terribly injurious to the hair. The white of an egg beaten up with spirits of wine (one teaspoonful) is a highly satisfactory lotion for this trouble. One last word: If you have long hair, let it bang perfectly free at night. Any sort of constriction is bad for it. H.K