Far Too Much Laxity

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 88, 8 January 1935, Page 11

Far Too Much Laxity

Sir, —“Strewelpeter” did not go far enough in his criticism of hairdressers establishments. .Many of the other correspondents simply went wild with rage, cud did not stick to facts. For 18 years I was a commercial traveller working the whole of New Zealand, And always let one Wellington man cut my hair; also one man in each of Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. Few hairdressers know how to manipulate a pair of hair scissors. Many have resorted to electric machines, which to my mind are rot correct for haircutting. I refuse to allow them to be used on me.

Many hairdressers do not keen cottonwool for the neck to stop the fine hair clippings from irritating the skin. I have never seen a hairdresser wash a hairbrush after using it on a client; or shall we say before using it on a fresh customer; consequently for many years now I have never allowed a brush to oe used on my hair at a hairdresser's establishment. I doubt whether the cabinets one sees in the hairdressers’ sufficiently sterilise the brushes after being used each time. I always have my hair thoroughly washed after being cut; and the eomb used on my hair is always washed thoroughly before being used by the hairdresser’s operative. As most hairdressers accept any clientele offering, it is.a risk run by men when they allow a hairdresser to cut their hair, and the only sure- way of preventing contamination is to refuse to allow hairdressers to use a brush after cutting the hair; and make them sterilise and wash the comb and scissors before using same. There is far too much laxity in hairdressers’ shops; and it is quite time the position was seriously discussed. One sees all sorts of gentry in hairdressers — persons with questionable habits whose make-up does not look too clean; persons of foreign extraction who live in squalid quarters; and others off overseas vesseis —calmly sit down in the very chair you and I will possibly have to sit on, and the self-same utensils used on our heads. There should be some sorting-out process, and for those of the community who are particular and do not mind paying extra fees, a separate room, or rooms, and guaranteed clean wholesome utensils. I know some hairdressers have cabinets in which are kept shaving brushes and mugs belonging to patrons. lam not talking about shaving, as I have always shaved myself, and intend so doing while able. I am positive there is much room for improvement in hairdressing establishments in New Zealand as to hygenie methods. —I am, etc., CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS.