Some Friendly Hints About the Hair.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 179, 20 November 1886, Page 6

Some Friendly Hints About the Hair.

It may seem strange, but it is a fact, that the peculiar constitution of the hair is inherited, We notice that baldness —premature — runs in families, and so it is of the reverse condition, some men and women retaining quite a luxuriance of hair up to old age. Still one ought to make the very best of the hair in one's possepsion. The weaker.and softer the hair is, themore carefully should it be treated. Children with soft fine hair are probably more troubled with irritable scalps than others, and 1 desire to impress upon mothers the fact that if these are not treated immediatoly on their appearance, weakness of the hair is to be looked for in future, and even premature baldness. But no great amount of hard brushing can be toleiated by the scalps of young people. It ought to be better known that treatment on this rough principle, though it may stimulate the skin and the consequent growth of hair for a time, soon doea more harm than geod, for the scalp becomes weak, and the hair gets shorter, thinner, and falls off. Uee therefore a soft brush, ladieß, and youths of both sexes. But if you have very strong hair, then the bru3h may be correspondingly rougher. Should oil be used ? Probably a waxy pomatum is best, but even this should be used most sparingly. Keally, in my humble opinion, the hair, to bo healthy, requites fresh air and sunlight as much as does any growing plant, and all know what the result would be if a tree's bark were completely coated with any stiff paste. When oils or pomatums are ueed, care should be taken that they are quite fresh. JNever make or buy any large quantities at a time therefore, and let the perfume with which it is mixed be of the simplest kind. Bair that is oiled must be more frequently washed — say, once a week. Use the best and mildest of soap, or lukewarm water and yolks of new-laid eggs, and dry carefully with a soft towel. This washing is best done at night, so aa to avoid a chill afterwards. Ladies' hair to be kept in health should be carefully bruphed and combed every night, and arranged loosely in a net. As to head dresses for night use, every one must vee her or his own judgment. I believe in keeping the head cool, and the sleep is often more refreshing when nothing is worn. Splitting of the hair at the ends is caused by the overdryness and improper nourishment, and in reality points to a feeble state of constitution. Use somo tcnic, such as iron and quinine, or codliver oil with malt extract. Live well, take plenty of exercise, the morning bath, and use in this case hair oil. It is worthy of remark that the first sign of failing hair-growth in ladies ia the failing of short hairs. Take the trouble to measure the combings ; if a quarter of these are less than six inches long, eomething is wrong. Attention must be paid at once to the general health. Some change in that must be made, and cooling medicines and tonics taken. As to local treatment, nothing is better than rubbing in a weak solution cf bicarbonate of soda in distilled water three times a week ; on the alternate days use a little oil : this for many months. Be careful to dry the hair "with a soft cloth, else the colour may slightly change. Brief and imperferrtthough thesehints are, I sincerely hope many persons may be benefited thereby. The subject is a very extensive one, and difficult to condense. One word in conclusion : beware of quack remedies, and trust as much to health of system as anything else to keep the hair beautiful. — " Casseil's Magazine."