Gossip Across The Family Table

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 77, 23 December 1937, Page 12

Gossip Across The Family Table

White Hair Gives Distinction

fJHIERE is no question that white hair gives distinction to any woman, and, when well-groomed and well cared-for, can be one of the most envied possessions in the world. Such hair needs more care than any other, for it soils more quickly, and when neglected becomes harsh and discoloured. Keeping it healthy and lus-

trous is a full-time job, but one well worth the trouble. Most white hair is susceptible to heat, and I know of one lovely white head of hair developing canary-coloured streaks from exposure to sunlight, while another had similar disflguring marks from cigarette smoke. Fortunately, permanent waving has improved to the extent that a definite assurance can now be given that white hair can be waved without the least discolouration. In fact, I have seen streaky hair come out of the machine much whiter than it went in. This was partly due to a clever little trick on the hairdresser's part with blueing solution. Waving with a marcel iron is rather a problem. Sometimes, no matter how mucli care and wisdom are exercised, slight discolorations will creep in. Even if this does occur it can be remedied, for there are prepared blue rinses to coimteract any yellow. These work on the same principle as blueing clothes, in fact, some women still use the homely blue bag, but prepared rinses are kinder to the hair. Vivid blue and blue-mauve • heads are so much in evidence that they no longer cause gasps of amazement. It is said that this fashion originated some years ago, when a smart American in Paris was having a last-minute shampoo before she sailed, and got an overdose of blue in the rinse. Not having time. to have it washed out she boarded the ship with blue hair, which caused so much favourable comment that hairdressers have found a demand for it ever since. The fact that neither the permanent wave nor the coiffure will be right if the hair isn't right must not be overlooked. White hair, with its tendency to grow stiff and coarse, needs softening and reconditioning. Brushing and hand massage, done at home, two or three times a week, combined with a monthly professional treatment with medicated oils, will make it truly a shining crown of glory. The right shampoo is very important. A special liquid shampoo, with a low alkaline content, should be used, and when drying thc hair, care must be taken to avoid" stiong sunlight. If the drying is being done professionally, the hairdresser may need a - little reminder to switch the dryer to low or medium temperature. The one thing to avoid is anything in the nature of an ointment or a lotion containing sulphur. It has the effect of giving white hair a peculiar greenish cast, particularly after a permanen wave. Blue or white brilliantine should be used, for white hair usually needs an oily dressing, but for those who prefer something less oily, there is a French preparation, a mmbination of perfumed spirit and oil

July 14, Miss Beatrice Metcalfe, of Roseville, suffered the loss of the nasal bone and cartilege, and considerable loss of skin, with resultant puckered keloid scars, running down the nose. Immediately after the accident, in July, Miss Metcalfe was taken to a Sydney hospital, where she stayed for three weeks, and was operated on once in the hope that the bone of the nose could be re-set. This proved impossible at the time, as the bone was completely smashed. All that could be done was to straighten the nose. Early in September she left for New Zealand to be under the charge of a famous plastic surgeon, who was in Sydney for some years, but has returned to New Zealand. Entering hospital immediately on arrival in Wellington, Miss Metcalfe was operated on the next day, when some skin was cut from the arm and grafted on to the side of the nose. Hardly any pain was felt by the patient, and she remained in hospital for a fortnight. After a fortnight oiitside, she was able to travel round Wellington, the only discomfort being that the nose had to be kept covered. The next operation involved taking bone from a rib and grafting in a cartilege and bone to make a bridge for the nose. In every operation the doctor studied Miss Metcalfe's photograph closely, and a fortnight later as he had made the nose slightly too long, he cut away the end of the bone, and grafted on two more bones to form the desired shape." The remarkable fact about these operations was the lack of pain. Great difficulty in such surgery is encountered by the doctor in removing the rib, as it is exactly above the lung, and also in grafting the bone, as it is necessary to lift the skin graft.