SEA-BATHING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 20 (Supplement)

SEA-BATHING

THE ILL-EFFECTS OF SEA WATER ON THE HAIR. There is no pastime more invigorating to the circulation and bracing to the system than a dip in the briny ocean. Sea water has, however, a distinctly bad effect upon the hair, making it harsh, lank, impoverished and difficult to arrange. Sea water dries out the natural oils, leaving the hair stiff and sticky. After each dip you should rinse the hair in tepid water to which a pinch of borax lias been added. This treatment releases the tiny particles of salt and restores the hair to a soft, fluffy and manageable condition. If*the hair is excessively oily, a teaspoonful of toilet vinegar may be used instead of borax. Should the tap water prove very hard and the supply of warm water be limited, you will be unable to rinse the hair as often as required. In such circumstances it will be necessary to apply a lotion having the same influence upon the hair that the borax or vinegar would produce. You can prepare this yourself by mixing together 20 drops of acetic acid and (ioz of orange-flower water. Apply this

to the hair on the palm of the hand or by spraying through an atomiser after every dip. Before the hair is quite dry, brush and comb it very thoroughly. This will make it sleek and glossy. People with naturally wavy hair often allow it to dry in the sun after a dip, being aware that, so far as appearance counts, hasty drying is a matter of little import. Yet coming straight from the sea into the glare of the sun has been known to injure the roots and permanently remove natural waves. Upon returning from th£ beach you will be wise to have a thorough shampoo, with a good super-fatted soap and distilled water. This will be slightly more expensive than an ordinary shampoo, but it is well worth the extra charge. The scalp will require a tonic to be well rubbed in every night, and for this the following prescription is very suitable: Mix together 2oz of honey water, 3oz saturated solution of boric acid and loz of 90 per cent spirits of wine. If the hair is of the moist, lank variety, ioz of acetone should be included. While the hair is still damp with the lotion, brush vigorously, using a scrupulously clean brush. Repeat this treatment every night for a week, and on the seventh night apply to the scalp a trace’ of oil of bergamot. The following day a shampoo again will bo necessary. Continue to apply the lotion nightly.