Source for skin care and beauty tips

The hair should have that vital, alive look with a shine, elasticity and bounce. It is this vitality that is responsible for the youthful quality that all women try so hard to achieve.

Hair is a protein matter called “Keratin”. The hair that we see on the head is a horny substance that is actually “dead”. Hair like the skin owes its color to melanin, the pigmentation that is formed in the special cells. This depends mainly on the hereditary characteristics and can also be influenced by racial factors. The texture of the hair also depends on these factors. Hair has certain characteristics which helps us to know how to handle it. For one thing hair is porous. This allows dyes and other lotions to penetrate the outer layer, causing the hair to be bleached, tinted or dyed. Before you get down to hair care, it is important to first make sure what kind of hair you have, and then to look after sit accordingly.

Dry hair:
Dry hair, for example, would need plenty of nourishment. The roots require extra oil and feeding. So if you have dry hair, make it a point to use shampoos and tonics that have nutritive value, preferably with lanolin or Vaseline bases. Eggs shampoos go a long way towards preventing hair dryness.

Hot oil treatments, like massages with warm olive oil are extremely beneficial for toning dry hair and for preventing it from becoming brittle. It is a good idea to steam the scalp before a hot oil massage is done. Soaking a towel in hot water and wrapping it around the scalp is an excellent method for opening up the pores of the scalp. Since this is an easy treatment it can be at home easily.
Right methods of hair massage, a good nourishing hair preparation is required. With the fingers planted firmly on the head, work in small, circular strokes, first clockwise and then anti-clockwise, moving the skin of the scalp as you do so. A listless massage is useless.
Wash hair with lanolin based shampoo, and always rinse your hair with a gentle acidic solutions so as to rid the scalp of the alkaline mantle. This is easily and economically done by using 2 tbsp of cosmetic vinegar in your last rinse. It helps prevent excessive oiliness and gives the scalp a chance to prevent as well as to rid itself of infection.

Oily hair:
Oily hair requires a completely different therapy. It is important to remember that though brushing is very good for healthy hair, too much brushing is not good for oily hair because it stimulates oil glands that are already over-active. You must take care to buy something that will brace the scalp and prevent oiliness. If your hair is oily, it needs ti be washed every third or fourth day. A good nourishing shampoo is often the best for oily hair. Excessive oiliness, when neglected, often leads to falling hair and premature baldness, especially in men, after 35.