care of hair

1. Care of Hair

2.  Care hair neof hair is a part of daily hygiene. A person’s appearance and a
feeling of wellbeing depends on the way the hair looks and feels, hair
growth, distribution and pattern can be indicators of general health status.

3. Purposes
 To keep the hair clean and healthy
 To have a sense of wellbeing
 To prevent hairloss and promote growth
 To prevent accumulation of dust, dandruff and oil
 To stimulate circulation of blood
 To observe the scalp
 To prevent or treat pediculi
 To prevent itching and infestation

4. Hair combing or brushing
 Hair needs to be brushed daily in order to keep them clean and to
distribute oil evenly along hair shafts. Patients who are able to perform self
care should be encouraged to maintain hair care daily.

5. Articles
 Bath towel – 2
 A clean comb
 Kidney tray with carbolic lotion 1:20 or Dettol 1:40
 Oil in a container
 A paper bag
 One apron

6. Preparation of the patient
 Give proper explanation to the patient
 If possible, let the patient sit on a char/stool
 Place one towel over the patient’s shoulders or give Fowler’s position on
the bed

7. Procedure
 To comb hair properly, part the hair into two sections and then separate
each section into two more section.
 Combing should be done from scalp towards the hair ends
 If tangles are present, the nurse uses fingers to separate a small lock of
hair, grasps if firmly near the scalp and combs the loose end of the lock.
This prevent painfull pulling of the scalp during combing
 Application of oil often frees tangles for easier combing
 To comb curly hair, start from neckline and slowly lift and fluff the hair
outward until the forehead is reached

8.  The nurse combs one side of the head at a time and then repeats on the
other side
 After combing the hair thoroughly, braid the hair into two – one on each
side of the head behind the ear to make the patient more comfortable.
 Discard the loose hair into paper bag and lice into the lotion, if any

9. After care of the patient
 Remove the towels and kidney tray
 Make the patient comfortable in the bed
 Dismantle the articles
 Wash hands
 Record the observations