HAIR SHAMPOOS

Over and above the daily brushing, it is necessary to remove from the hair dirt and all the secretions of sebaceous glands which accumulate on the scalp. The process of shampoo is divided into portions so that you lather twice and rinse after each lather. Rinse thoroughly in plenty of water (preferably rain water) until the hair squeaks when you rub it with your fingers.
Now the question arises how often you must shampoo. Women are advised to shampoo once every 8 to 10 days for normal hair, once every fortnight for dry hair and once every 5 to 8 days for oily hair. I would like to mention that too frequent washing of hair, however good the quality of the shampoo used, can in the long run cause damage to the hair. There is at present in the market quite a large selection of products ranging from ordinary soaps to medicated shampoos. Buy these products preferably from a chemists shop or a reputed general store.
Do not use ordinary household detergents to wash the hair. These are crude, very alkaline and can act as an irritant. Manufacturers usually add to the refined detergents soapless shampoo, perfume and other products such as lanolin and lecithin to render the hair supple and glossy after washing.

Medicated Shampoos

Colouring shampoos have become very popular in recent years for brightening the colour of the hair. These shampoos are generally harmless, but they can affect those who are susceptible to allergies, by causing an eczema on the face and swelling or irritation on the scalp. To avoid these severe allergies, do not use colouring shampoos during periods, pregnancy, menopause, ovarian upsets, and skin troubles.
To carry out a shampoo properly, begin by soaking your hair in hot (not too hot) water. Too hot water is not good for the hair or the scalp. Pour on to the hair a small quantity of shampoo and rub the scalp with the tips of your fingers vigorously. If your hair is long or very thick, slip your fingers right through the hair to the scalp itself, and rub it vigorously but not roughly. Next rinse completely with hot water, and again apply a lot of shampoo. Rub in, but this time more with the hands flat. Do not penetrate through to the scalp, but gently rub the hair. The shampoo should foam cleanly. If not, apply more shampoo for the third time. The rinsing which follows must be very thorough. Rinsing should not stop until the water from this last rinse is completely clear.

HOME MADE SHAMPOOS

There is a large selection of reliable preparations and you may select the one most suitable for you.

Egg Shampoo

This is one of the oldest beauty recipes. Eggs are full of protein. Beat two egg yolks in a glass of hot water. Strain, soak hair and scalp. Keep on for one hour. Rinse off with warm water.

Panama wood shampoo

In two pints of water, boil up 50gms. of Panama wood. Let it infuse for an hour. Strain off the liquid and use. This is a good preparation for normal and oily hair.

Rum shampoo

Combine two egg-yolks with two dessertspoonfuls of odourless linseed oil and two dessertspoonfuls of rum. Soak the hair and scalp. Keep on for one hour. Rinse off with warm water. This is especially good for dandruff and dry hair.

Conditioning shampoo

Mix together 1-2 tablespoons cheap shampoo, one egg and one tablespoon unflavoured powder gelatin. Beat slowly in order to avoid lumps. This is an effective conditioning shampoo. The egg and gelatin are both proteins, and make your hair lovely and thick.

Tonic shampoo

Put 130gms. each dried reetha, shikakai and amla into one litre water. Keep it for 24 hours. Boil and then allow to cool. Strain and use as a shampoo.

Herb shampoo

Wash 200gms each of dried olives and shikakai beans in cold water and then soak overnight in an iron pot. Next morning boil them for 10-15 minutes and strain. Liquidize the flesh that remains and use the paste to wash your hair. This shampoo leaves your hair soft and shiny.