In the same way that there are a variety of skin types, there are also a variety of hair types. Which type is your hair?

Dry Hair

Dry hair is usually fine. It splits or breaks easily, and soon gets a fly-away look.

You must brush your hair well to stimulate the flow of natural oil from the sebaceous glands.

An oil pack is one way of helping too-dry hair. Instead of olive oil suggested by old-fashioned Cookery s, try a poly unsaturated oil (e.g., corn oil). This permeates into the hair shaft more effectively than olive oil.

It helps if you warm the oil to body temperature and. then massage into your hair.

Shampoo off after a couple of hours. You may need two or three latherings to remove all traces of oil. Remember, according to today's concept of beauty, nothing can be as unattractive as sticky strands of oiled hair.

Don't forget to use your conditioner.

This treatment should initially be taken twice a week. Later, reduce to once in every two weeks.

If you are averse to keeping oil on for a couple of hours — perhaps you just do not have the time — steam your oiled head by pressing hot towels on it. You can now shampoo an hour after your oil message.

Make sure you use a mild shampoo. Avoid hot water. Try not to expose your hair to extremes of temperature.

Remember that hair spray aggravates dryness. Avoid frequent use of it. Also avoid perming and backcombing.

* Going back to old Indian beauty Cookery s, here's one that works wonders with dry hair : Mix a light hair oil with Fuller's earth (Mullani mitti). Massage this paste into the scalp.

Leave on for an hour.

Then shampoo well.

Try a dry scalp-massage. Using your finger-tips, massage firmly but gently, moving the scalp, not your fingers. Repeat process at different parts of your scalp.

Shampoo your hair at least once a week. Don't forget to use a conditioner. Rinse off thoroughly to avoid stickiness.

You must be very careful about your diet. Your protein intake should be high.

Greasy Hair

Greasy hair quickly looks lank and limp. No matter what you do, your flip-flops, your waves wilt, your long hair turns to frizz !

Your hair probably looks good the day you wash it. But the next morning you have the greasies. Your hair sticks together in unattractive strands.

We suggest :

Frequent washing — even every day if you have to. The old myth of harming hair by frequent shampooing is hog wash. Instead, specialists have now proved that it can be harmful to your skin if you leave greasy, oily hair unwashed.

Normal Hair

Wash at least once a week — more often if hair has been exposed to heat and dust. Brush regularly. Follow "General Hair Tone-up Tips".