Hair and scalp, Hair care

HAIR AND SCALP 

Hair, which grows from the skin, can reflect, as the skin does, the general state of health. For example, dry, coarse hair may be an indication of under activity of the thyroid gland. While hair performs no indispensable function-and countless numbers of bald people live long and healthy lives-attractive, well-groomed hair can be psychologically important. Also, proper hair and scalp care can be important in the control of skin problems.

Care of the Hair

Hair, of course, should be kept clean. That requires a washing no less often than every ten days-more often if the hair tends to be oily. Plain toilet soap is excellent for the purpose, dissolved in a little water if you find it easier to use in liquid form. Good shampoos usually contain little, if anything, more of consequence than soap or detergent, along with some perfume to which you may happen to be allergic. Poor shampoos may contain an alkali or borax that may irritate the scalp. Washing removes both natural oil and dirt, and no shampoo we are aware of actually fulfills any claim that it restores oil while washing the hair. For oily hair, a tincture of green soap is satisfactory. For dry hair, a Castile shampoo is good. Don't forget to wash comb and brush at least as often as you wash your hair. After washing, rinse hair thoroughly. If your water supply is hard, soap is apt to leave a deposit on the hair. Some hard water can be softened by boiling; in other cases, distilling is necessary, but a nuisance. If you have very hard water and soap doesn't rinse off properly, you may want to use a soap less detergent.

While drying the hair, do not rub too hard. Sunlight or a hair dryer that blows air on the hair is good. So is gentle brushing during the drying. A little massage is helpful-but don't be too rough; just press the scalp with your fingers and move it about a little to stimulate the fatty tissue under the scalp. Do this once a day. One hundred daily strokes with a hairbrush is an old custom that deserves continuing; it is excellent for the hair, giving it a sleek and glossy look, and stimulating the glands that supply the natural oil. If your hair is dry, rub in a little pure olive oil or other oil after shampooing, or more often if necessary. Lanolin, somewhat overrated, works no magic.