OWNERS MANUAL FOR THE HAIR
DRYER
--Advanced preparation for
the information highway of 2001, and for the generation of tomorrow. --
When you purchased your hair
dryer, you probably thought it would be easy to use. But, just because your barber or hairdresser could dry and style
your hair so easily, it doesn't mean that this is an ideal "do it
yourself" project. But, never
fear, Bic Parker's here.
Years ago hair was dried in
the sun. After shampooing, one would go
outside and sit on a stump (there is no shade on a stump). Then while
reading a "big-little book"
the hair would dry naturally. This
worked well for those in sunny climates.
But, in areas where there is always fog or haze or smog it didn't work
so well. So, hair dryers were invented.
A hair dryer fits over the
head and allows warm/hot air to blow over the hair and scalp. Styling is accomplished by rolling up the
hair into desirable patterns using hair pins, or wire gadgets that resemble a
rolling pin, except on a much smaller scale.
Often a movie magazine can be used to copy a pattern of the first lady
or a certain celebrity. BTW, a rolling
pin is not a reference to a straight pin spinning on a table after having been
dropped. Rather it refers to a hand
held gadget formerly used to spread out biscuit dough. If interested in this item, please contact
the Smithsonian Institute or see our booklet on pins that roll
"dough" (no pun intended with money)
A blow dryer, on the other
hand is better for drying and styling without pins or needles or rolling pins
or whatever. Generally men use blow
dryers, but in recent years more women use these than men.
There is one caution we want
to bring to your attention. On many world wide units there is a voltage selection
switch for selecting either 120 volts or 240 volts. If you are not sure of the voltage, there are several ways to go
about finding out. One is to go to
Radio Shack and purchase a volt meter and actually measure the voltage.
But then some character
suggested that one could put his finger in the socket and measure the
"ouch." The larger
"ouch" would be 240 volts. We want you to know right now that we
frown on this technique as danger is associated with it. Don't do it.
Perhaps a good rule of thumb
would be that if you are in the United States you are using 120 volts and if in
Great Britain or one of its subsidiaries, 240 volts. If you are in some other country we suggest you contact an official
with the department of public utilities.
These have been known to be knowledgeable on occasion.
In any event, once you are
sure, you may select the switch setting to the proper voltage for your locale.
Frequently there are two
switches on the unit. One selects
between HOT and COLD and the other selects a fan speed of fast and faster. You may wish to play with these switches
while holding your hand over the end where the air comes out. This will give you a good indication of what
to expect when the dryer is placed near your head. Good point!
Your dryer is now
initialized and ready for immediate use.
Next take a shower. Just follow
our simple instructions on "How to Take a Shower" (another Bic Parker
exclusive). After you have dressed or
at least wrapped a towel around your waist, then proceed to prepare for styling
and drying. You will need at least a
styling comb, or a brush. Older people
with thin hair may use some thickener.
Don't forget conditioners and hair spray. Hair spray reminds me of a
cross between lacquer thinner and a spiders web. It dries fast and feels like a very stiff web. It's spongy like foam rubber.
For some hair, drying alone
is enough. For unruly hair, you may
need a combination of ingredients (Not a commercial for Anacin).
For example suppose you are a
pretty young woman and you want bangs.
Well, one way is to spray a lot of conditioner and hair spray onto the
few hairs designed to make the big bang.
There are many theories on the big-bang. But, regardless, the best idea is to dry rapidly while trying to
pull the designated hair away from the face using a styling comb.
We don't recommend the big
bang because people who believe this usually ends up pulling their hair
anyway. Find another style and use less
heat and spray. You'll probably look
better anyway.
This subject is so complex
that we could never cover all the possibilities. We will therefore leave you with this thought. If you don't like the way your own hair
looks...how do you think you will like a wig or a hair piece? Take care of your hair, successful hair
transplants may still be a few years off.
--Bic Parker --