The condition of your hair is a good indication of your general health and nutrition.
Hair loses its shine when you are tired and run down, unwell or unhappy. Hormonal changes,
sun, chlorine, wind and chemical hair treatment can also affect the condition of your hair.
A healthy diet is essential to beautiful hair so make sure yours includes plenty of vitamins
A and B, minerals such as calcium, iron, iodine, zinc and silica, as well as protein and essential fatty acids.
The kind of shampoo you use is also important. Many commercial shampoos are largely made up of alkaline
detergents which strip the natural oils from the hair and scalp. Avoid washing your hair frequently
as this can over stimulate the scalp and increase oiliness of the hair. Choose a natural bristle
brush as nylon brushes damage the hair and cause split ends.
It consists of:--
Washing with soap or shampoo. Sometimes beaten egg white is employed to give glossiness to
the hair. Sunny, Weleda Calendula are useful in controlling dandruff.
We have, certain indigenous plant products like ritha and amla are used for washing the hair.
They are cheap and effective. Dry hair require less frequent washing and good oil message.
Greasy hair need frequent washing and less oil application. Frequently of washing depends upon
the climate and the length of the hair, daily, alternate days or weekly.
Often bland soap and water are sufficient.
Greasing or oil application is essential for effective lubrication and grooming,
choice depends upon individual taste.
Combing and brushing of the hair is normally done once or twice a day.
No force should be used in either combing or brushing. Combs and brushes tend to irritate
the scalp, often injures and atrophies the hair.
Singeing of the hair ends is often employed by beauty parlors and hairdressers to treat splitting. It has no advantages over cutting, and is by on means curative.
Dyeing grey hair with vegetable dyes (henna, chamomile), metallic dyes (bismuth, silver, lead)
and chemical dyes (paratolyendiamine, paraphenylendiamine, etc.).
Several dye preparations are available in the market. Vegetables dyes are usually the safest,
but there is limited choice of colour in them. Patch test to the dye must be applied before
its use.
Permanent waving, and straightening of wooly hair (as in Negroes).
Broadly speaking there are two methods of permanent waving:--
1) The cold method : The hair is curled by means of curlers and softened with a
reducing agent like ammonium thioglycolate so that it can conform to the undulations made by
the curlers, later, undulations are fixed with a neutralizer or an oxidizing agent.
2) The hot method : The hair is first softened by an alkaline sulphate solution and
then undulations are made by rods and the application of heat (electrical, steam or chemicals).
The hair is shampooed before any of the two techniques of permanent waving are employed.
Burning of the scalp by direct heat or chemical irritation and sensitization are some of
the risks of permanent waving. Due precaution should be taken, patch tests should precede
the use of chemicals.
Hair ornaments: pins, clips and nets. These are employed to keep the hair in a desired shape
and also to enhance looks. Only rarely do such accessories cause dermatitis.
Nickel and plastic materials should be used with caution to prevent irritation.
Wigs are worn, particularly by women, to conceal alopecia or for improving appearance.
|
