HOW TO IMPROVE THE HAIR.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 11980, 31 January 1903, Page 3 (Supplement)

HOW TO IMPROVE THE HAIR.

Suabatha. I met not long ago (writes Mrs Fenwick Miller in the " Daily News ") a middle-aged lady who possessed magnificent natural hair, such as any girl might sigh for in vain. She confided to me that, except for brushing her luxuriant locks vigorously for ten minutes at a time both night and morning, and washing them in a concoction of nettles, such as many Italians use, her~b'nly hair tonic was to sit out of doors for an 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 that the fresh air and sunshine proved better medicine than all the hair tonics in the world. Unfortunately, we are not all possessed of sufficiently private gardens, where we can air our tresses over our shoulders without running the risk of being watched, and of getting an unenviable character for eccentricity or worse. But without outraging the proprieties, or exciting the gossip of our good neighbours, we might with advantage sit at the open window on a warm sunny day in the same fashion, and try the effect of this fresh air and sun bath. I 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 can 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 fur the hair, as they cleanse the scalp and bring a rieh store of oxygen to tlie young growth. A brisk run in the rain will hurt no young, healthy creature, if followed by a vigorous rub over with a Turkish towel.

Premature loss of hair and chilness of colour are mainly clue to bad health, depraved nerves or neglect and 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, pr the want of red eovpuscles in the blood produced by

anasmia, are bound to afreet 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 1 time cauterise the whole growth to whioh 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 greases of the head and make the hair harsh and brittle. Of course, 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, both night and morning. Brushing by machinery does no harm, if nob done too frequently; but it should be avoided by those who have any tendency to baldness. It is surprising what a; beautiful gloss can he given "to the hair by rubbing and rolling it about gently with the naked hands, and the sensation is most soothing and refreshing when done by a clever maid. The frequent use of a toothcomb is a lazy and injurious method of cleaning the hair. The sharp teeth are apt 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 skin.