Hairs spring from the skin, each having a root and a stem or shaft, which is
generally rounded and varies and thickness. The chief part of the stem is of a
fibrous character, the fibres being composed of soft cells with air spaces
between them. The colour of the hair is due to the pigment scattered in varying
amounts throughout the hair, while a white hair is produced by the formation of
very numerous airspaces throughout the cells composing it. The root of the hair
is set upon a fibrous papilla, from which it drives its nutriment. The root is
deep and the growing part of the hair pushes the older part out through the
cuticle.
The average rate of growth of hair is about 6 inches in a year, though in some
persons when the hair reaches a certain length, it ceases to grow and is
gradually pushed upwards till it falls out, to be replaced by a new hair which
develops from a fresh papilla. Attached to the underside of each, follicle (the
tube which contains the part of the hair embedded in the skin) is a small
muscle. It is these muscles, which produce goose-flesh when the hairs are
raised. The sebaceous glands open into the follicles of the hair. It is the over
active sebaceous glands which produce what fashion-conscious women call greasy
hair. The secretion of the sebaceous glands reaches the surface by the hair
follicle and serves to lubricate the hair and give pliability to the surface of
the skin.
Blood, while it circulates through the skin, provides nutriment to the hair and
if due to some defect the nutriment does not reach them, they start falling. No
application of any oil or pomade or cream can provide the natural nutriment to
the hair as is claimed by advertisements of hair-restorers. Only a vigorous
massage of the head can activate the circulation of the blood in the skin and
revitalize its function of providing the necessary nutriment to sustain the
hair. Oil is merely a vehicle for massage; it has no other function. If massage
is not neglected during childhood, a person is likely to have a full thatch
throughout his life.
The skin that covers the scalp has to be healthy and the follicles and the
sebaceous glands should function properly. The skin of the scalp must be thick
and loose for a rich growth of hair.
Diseases
Certain serious diseases are associated with partial loss of hair as one of
their symptoms. They are: acute fevers, myxoedema (degenerative conditions of
the subcutaneous and connective tissues due to a defect in the thyroid gland),
syphilis, influenza, anemia and great anxiety or severe shock. Gradual premature
baldness is generally hereditary. Sometimes it is preceded by dandruff, which,
in its turn, is caused by decomposition of the natural oil in the hair. Each day
in the process of combing, a certain number of hair, which have reached the end
of their existence, fall out and are replaced. But, if the changes are too
rapid, baldness results ultimately.
Falling of Hair
In some cases, if the hair fall out as a result of any particular disease, they
are likely to be replaced when the patient gets rid of the disease. The hair
may, in that sense, be called a barometer of disease. The moment the falling of
the hair is noticed, one should take to vigorous massage of the scalp, because,
if the hair fall and a fine down appear on the scalp, total baldness is not far
away.
The hatband or the cap should never be tight because it is likely to interfere
with the circulation of the blood in the scalp.
After the scalp has been thoroughly and vigorously massaged, rinse the hair
with cold water and then comb your hair. A cold douche of the hair is always
helpful if done regularly. The best way to do it is to immerse your head in a
flat-bottomed vessel for a minute. The hair should be combed with the fingers
and dried through massage.
Any method of pressure on or friction against, or stroking, kneading,
rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating or stimulating of the external soft
parts of the body with the hands or with aid of any mechanical electrical
apparatus or appliances with or without rubbing alcohol, liniments,
antiseptics, oils, powder, creams, lotions, ointments or other similar
preparations used in this practice, under such circumstances that it is
reasonably expected that the person to whom treatment is provided ...
Massage is the practice of applying pressure or vibration to the soft
tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons,
ligaments, and joints. A form of therapy, massage can be applied to parts
of the body or successively to the whole body, to heal injury, relieve
psychological stress, manage pain, improve circulation and relieve
tension.
The manipulation of skin, muscle, and joints (usually by hand) to relax
muscle spasm, relieve tension, improve circulation, and eliminate wastes.
Over 80 types of massage are in use today. Various forms include:
acupressure, athletic, polarity, reflexology, rolfing, shiatsu, sports,
Swedish, traeger, and watsu.
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