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Hairdressing Both for Men and Women: Care
Care of the Hair. - The proper care of the hair under normal conditions is very simple. The objects to be kept in mind are to preserve its natural luster and texture by means of absolute cleanliness, and to massage the scalp sufficiently to remove any scurf or dandruff that may adhere to it, and thereby promote the active circulation of the blood. All this must be done without injury to HAIRDRESSING BOTH FOR MEN AND WOMEN 585 the scalp or the hair by pulling, scratching, or tearing. Cutting the hair frequently has a tendency, especially in youth, to thicken the individual hairs and promote their growth. Neither this nor any other known process, however, tends to increase the actual number of hairs. All claims to the contrary are the pretensions of charlatans.
Professional hairdressers do not advocate shampooing the hair oftener than once a month. A thorough brushing once or twice a week is regarded by them as sufficient for cleanliness and as much more beneficial to the hair and scalp. Much contradictory advice has been given on the subject of brushing the hair, some persons saying that stiff brushes should be used and the scalp and hair brushed by means of them with a good deal of vigor; others recommending soft brushes and a very moderate amount of friction. These differences are probably due to different views of the objects to be obtained by brushing. One object is to promote the health of the scalp and hence to give strength and vigor to the hair. For this purpose brushes with hard, stiff bristles may be used with considerable vigor, provided the skin is not injured. The other object is to smooth the hair and free it from dust. For this purpose brushes may be soft and used with a very moderate pressure.
Care should be taken, on the one hand, not to scratch the scalp, tear the roots of the hair, or cause it to split; and on the other, not to neglect the stimulating effects of massaging the scalp and removing dandruff. In other words, a vigorous brushing should be directed to the head or scalp, the gentler stroke being employed in brushing the hair itself. The general opinion is that it is feasible to brush the hair free from dust each night before retiring. Applications of tonics and restoratives should also be made at this time, as they have the best opportunity of doing their work during sleep and especially while the blood is circulating freely as the result of brushing. The care of the hair must be governed by common sense, and general rules must be adapted to individual conditions. Some persons find it necessary to wash the hair as often as twice a month, and with others once a month is sufficient. When the hair is oily it should not be brushed as freely or frequently as otherwise.
When it is dry and harsh the application of lanolin or other pomades may be necessary.