Women, today, more than ever, are experimenting with sprays, lacquers, metallic powders and even with hair restorers, hennas, and metallic hair dyes which coat and harm the hair. The chemicals in these products will frequently damage the hair so that it will no longer take a good permanent or a coloring treatment. When hair is in this state, it must be reconditioned before it can be successfully waved or tinted.

Hair may need reconditioning for reasons other than damage re­ sulting from the use of harmful preparations. It sometimes is naturally lifeless, brittle, thin and unmanageable. A patron's systemic condition or neglect of her hair may also cause it to be limp and lustreless.

Reconditioning treatments make the hair easier to color and per­manent and do wonders in adding sheen and manageability.

Reconditioning prevents hair from reaching the stage where it is difficult to give a successful tint or permanent.

HOW YOU CAN TELL DAMAGED HAIR

The professional hairdresser can always tell whether hair is damaged or not by first testing before permanent waving or haircoloring. When­ ever you feel that hair is not in good condition, give a preliminary strand test for color or a test curl before permanent waving.

Hair is considered damaged:

• When the texture, structure, and elasticity have been affected to
  the extent that it is brittle, broken, matted or split.
• When it is gummy and has lost its elasticity.
• When it is over-porous.

These conditions may be caused by over-exposure to sun and salt water, over-bleaching, faulty permanent waving, excessive coating by metallic dyes, hair restorers, hennas, compound hennas or rinses; or by improper use of shampoos, bleaches, tints and other chemical prepara­ tions. When any of these conditions exist, reconditioning treatments are necessary before tints or permanent waves may successfully be applied.

METHODS FOR RECONDITIONING HAIR

There are many methods and preparations used by beauticians for restoring the proper condition and texture to hair. Among these are creme packs, hot oil treatments and hot oil shampoos. These are applied to the hair and allowed to remain while heat is applied with either heat­ing caps, steamers, therapeutic lamps or violet rays.

Among the types of oils used in these treatments are petroleum (crude mineral oils), olive oil, castor oil, mineral oil and vegetable oils.

METALEX-A FINE RECONDITIONING TREATMENT

Metalex, by Clairol, is a specially formulated oil-base solution that reconditions dry, brittle and damaged hair. Metalex does more than simply recondition the hair. It also removes lacquers, hair rinses and foreign substances from the hair.

Some of the purposes for which Metalex can be used are: 1. To treat damaged hair—hair that has been overbleached, over- permanented or over-exposed to sun and salt water.

• For the removal of metallic dyes, compound hennas, Egyptian
  Hennas, hair rinses, lacquers, and other products which coat the
  hair. This must be done before giving permanent wave to eliminate
  the possibility of the discoloration which generally results when
  permanent waving over this type of coating.
• For the removal of discoloration caused by some types of rinses,
  colored bleaches, or permanent waves.
• As a corrective treatment when hair has been tinted to a shade
  slightly darker than natural or darker than the patron desires.
  Metalex treatments will lift a small amount of the excess color,
  if applied immediately after the color treatments.
• Metalex treatments can be used alternately with dye-remover treat­
  ments on hair that has been treated with compound hennas. There
  should be a 24-hour waiting period between applications.
• Metalex treatments can be used between bleach applications to
  improve and restore the quality of the hair.
• Metalex treatments can be given to new permanents to soften the
  hair without weakening the curl.

HOW TO USE METALEX

Metalex is used full strength just as it comes in the bottle. Do not dilute it or mix it with any other substance. It is applied in the following manner:

• Apply freely to the full length of hair with a piece of cotton or a
  small paint brush. Do not brush or pre-shampoo the day treatment
  is given.
• Work thoroughly through the hair. Then pile hair on top of head.
• Wrap head with a sheet of waxed paper, and over the waxed paper
  wrap a towel.
• Place the patron's head under a steamer or heating cap for 30 min­
  utes. Heat speeds up the action of the Metalex.

5. Rinse out the Metalex with warm water. Shampoo thoroughly.

Metalex will not remove penetrating coloring. Its purpose is to dis­ solve metallic salts and recondition the hair so that it will be possible to give further treatment successfully.

FREQUENCY OF USE

The number of Metalex treatments to be given depends upon the con­ dition of the hair. When Metalex treatments are given in a series for reconditioning purposes, the usual procedure is to give the treatments once a week before the regular shampoo.

A METALEX TREATMENT

1. Pour Metalex into plastic or glass dish. Metalex is used full strength just as it conies in the bottle.