The Hair Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Healthy, Beautiful Hair Forever

For women who find coiffure coverage in glossy magazines and beauty books insufficient, or for those who are coping with hair loss, this volume covers all the bases in the smooth but enthusiastic voice of a seasoned hair pro. A quick but interesting history-from the water-and-citrus-juice concoctions Egyptian used as shampoo to Jennifer Aniston's infamous shag, and from the first hair salon, opened in Paris in 1635, to the first chemical hair color, 1907's Aureole (later renamed in L'Orial)-begins this guide to follicular matters. The authors then move into contemporary territory: the basics of hair care, how to choose the best cut, color and styling products and how to cope with hair treatments, enhancements and problems. As the book progresses, the focus turns to health somewhat more than beauty (Scott is a cosmetic and hair replacement surgeon): the authors offer home remedies for scalp troubles, discuss female pattern baldness and explore the emotional effects of hair loss. They even cover surgical procedures, such as hair grafts or scalp reductions, that can mitigate hair loss. The audience for this book may be somewhat limited, but those who pick it up will find quite a bit of info, including recipes (Philip B.'s Vegetarian Refried Bean Hair Masque), debunked myths (pulling out a gray hair will not result in two new ones) and tips (a dollop of body lotion can smooth flyaways). (Apr.)