WITH BRUSH & COMB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3274, 11 June 1943, Page 2

WITH BRUSH & COMB

MAINTAIN HAIR HEALTH STIMULANT TO THE SCALP IT RESPONDS TO TREATMENT In these days of shorter hair the mention of brush and comb seems scarcely necessary; nevertheless both are more or less essential in usage to maintain normal hair health. That daily brushing stimulates the scalp and encourages new hair growth; grease excess is also removed, with dust particles and the like that cause dandruff and most scalp irritations. A cheering fact about the hair is that it responds quickly to treatment; whether the scalp is overgreasy or dry is entirely a matter for the individual. Excessive greasiness is caused by over-activity of the oil glands, and though the scalp is shampooed occasionally, there is a tendency for the trouble to persist.

To circumvent this tendency there is the regular daily brushing already mentioned, but use a spirit lotion of eau-de-cologne and orange-flower water to rub into the hair roots at night. Massage lightly in with the finger-tips before brushing out to dry, and in the morning apply a trace of oil brilliantine to give sheen.

An oil dressing can play many parts with the hair. For the dressing with fail- hair it is stressed that a mineral or paraffin oil is preferable; it does not darken the hair with its use, whereas a vegetable oil has the opposite effect.

Therefore for 'brown to black hair that is liable to fade keep to olive, almond or castor oils as dressings, but apply sparingly if you would avoid that lank, over-oiled appearance that is so distresisng to the observing friend. Just a drop or two of oil rubbed in with palms of both hands is all that it necessary; really a film only of the oil gives the requisite sheen when the hair is pressed. To stimulate hair growth massage the head for five minutes each mght. Press the fingers firmly on one spot on the scalp and rotate them so the muscles and skin move; circle the finger-tips five times to the left, and five to the right, pressing firmly as the movement is made. Then move the fingers farther up and repeat un- . til every part of the head has been massaged.

A good shampoo for normal hair (neither greasy nor over-dry) is made by putting into a saucepan a dessertspoon of green soft-soap and a cupful of cold water, heating gently until the soap is dissolved, then straining

through muslin and letting the shampoo cool. When cold this will suffice for two or three shampoos, but the quantity used is not of consequence. Moisten the scalp fully with warm water, pour soap solution over and through the hair and work into a full lather with the finger-tips. Allow this to remain on for a few minutes while still massaging gently, rinse off with two changes of tepid clean water, and then after drying brush well and apply that oil dressing for sheen—always dry in sunlight if possible. If extra bleaching is required for fair hair add the juice of a lemon to the final rinsing water; peroxide diluted 1 in 4 with water to comb through the hair after drying acts as a definite bleach. For faded hair add a tablespoon of henna powder to a preliminary rinse; rinse again and dry without extra sunning if the hair is of brown shade or black. The henna pack is for colour tones and preferably for auburn hair; it requires the expert touch for a perfect effect.