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 em ployed in brushing the hair itself.
The general opinion is that it is feasible to brush the hair free from dust each night before retiring. Ap plications of tonics and restoratives should also be made at this time, as they have the best opportunity of doing their work during sleep and es pecially 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 con ditions. Some persons find it neces sary 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 appli cation of lanolin or other pomades may be necessary.
An analogy may be found in the grooming of horses. Every good groom knows by experience that plenty of combing and brushing not only produces a fine coat but pro motes the health and vitality of the animal. Hence brushes with moder ately stiff bristles should be chosen.
For men the so-called military or broad double brushes, one for each hand, are to be preferred.
To Dry-clean the Hair.—To thor oughly cleanse the hair it should be brushed successively from partings made in all directions upon the scalp, the utmost care being taken that for eign matter accumulated on the brush is removed and not returned by the next stroke to the hair.
Professional hairdressers when giv ing the hair a dry cleaning run a comb through the brush each time the latter is drawn through the hair, and afterwards wipe the comb clean on a towel. The object of this proc ess is to remove dirt and dandruff and bring about the additional soft ness resulting from perfect cleanli ness. If this is not done, the natural oil of the hair mixing with foreign substances merely makes the hair sticky.
Care of Hairbrushes. — Brushes should be cleaned very often and thoroughly, as a surprising amount of dust and dirt gathers in the hair. This quickly accumulates in the brushes and fills them. Hence the brush should be cleaned immediately after using.
Substances recommended for this purpose are gasoline, ammonia, bo rax, and sal soda, of which the last is least desirable. It is also a good
plan to disinfect the brush by put ting a few drops of carbolic acid in the water. Neither hot water nor soap should be used, and the bristles should be allowed to dry thoroughly before using them. The effect of hot water and soap is to soften the bris tles and also the glue with which they are commonly fastened into the brush, and when soft, the bristles are likely to split and break off or fall out.
To Clean a Hairbrush. — First comb out the loose hair with a coarse comb. Turn the brush downward and strike the bristles on a smooth, solid surface to loosen the dust and dandruff. Then rub the bristles over a Turkish or other coarse towel to wipe off as much of the loosened dust as possible.
To Wash a Brush. — Take two bowls of Cold water in which to wash and to rinse the brush respectively. In one put about 1 tablespoonful of ammonia to 1 pint of water, and in troduce the bristles in this without immersing the back of the brush. Rub the bristles back and forth with the hand in the water until they are clean.
Or, to assist in cleaning them, re move the brush from the water and brush the dust and dirt out of it with a clean, stiff whisk broom which will work down into the bristles. Af terwards rinse in clear water in the same way.
Or add about 2 or 3 teaspoonfuls of alum to 1 pint of water, and rinse the bristles in this to toughen them. Wipe the bristles back and forth on a clean, dry towel, and hang up the brush by the handle to dry, or better still, lay it down in the draught with the bristles down. Never lay a wet brush down on the back, as this per mits the water to run down the bris tles and soak the glue with which they are fastened to the back. Do not expose a wet brush to direct sun shine or other drying heat, as too rapid drying has a tendency to warp or crack the back of the brush.
Or first moisten the bristles in clear warm water and sprinkle them with powdered borax, after which wash and rinse as above.
Or dissolve 1 tablespoonful of sal soda in 1 quart of boiling water and let stand until it is cold. Wash and rinse the brush as above.
To Clean Combs.—A wire brush or whisk broom is the best means to clean gutta-percha combs, and is preferable to soaking them in water.
Or they may be washed in either of the solutions recommended above for washing brushes.