Hair
·
Most didn’t
wash their hair very often, but there were other ways of keeping it
“healthy.” Women brushed their hair more
than 100 times a day to make it shiny.
To treat dandruff, they rubbed bran into their scalp.
·
Brushing and
combing your hair would dislodge dirt and also spread the natural oils and
fluids across the length of the hair, improving its conditions.
·
As the
century developed, the habit of washing one’s hair with water began to be
promoted. A range of washes for the hair
were widely recommended, most of which were relatively basic. Rosemary water was particularly popular. It
removed more grease than just water.
·
By the
1840s, occasional washing of men’s hair with water was creeping in, led by
women, who had adopted the process first.
For most, it meant a swill around in cold water to dislodge the dust and
dirt, but some were willing to risk soap, although it did tend to leave the
scalp sore in some people.
