March 21, 2019
Double-Sided Wooden Nit Comb
Name: Ancient Wooden Comb
What is it All About:
The oldest combs known, which are similar to today’s louse combs, came
from 1,500 B.C. ( Mumcuoglu & Zias, 1989). Royal combs from Pharonic times in
Egypt were used for delousing and styling their hairs. Most of the combs were two-
sided: one side of the comb was used to untangle knots in the hair while the other
side with the fine teeth was used to remove lice and eggs. Head lice were
recovered from the debris found between the fine teeth of a wooden comb
excavated in Antoine, Egypt and dated between the fifth and sixth centuries A.D.
(Palma, 1991). Most combs found in archaeological excavations were made of
wood; some were made from bone and ivory.
Function/Uses:
Combs serve different functions for different hair types and styles.
Typically, combs are used to tame stray hairs and detangle wet hair. Another
common use for the comb is to secure hair in one position before placing it in a
ponytail. Combs may also be used to part hair for coloring, conditioning and
braiding. Fine-toothed combs is also designed to aid in lifting the nits from the hair
strand and off the scalp. are held onto the strand with a kind of “glue” that can
make them difficult to fully remove without the comb which will make the hair
more healthy and presentable.
Step by Step Procedure: (Dual Purpose)
Systematic use of a louse comb over the period in which the eggs hatch can
remedy an infestation. Secure hair into 1 inch sections. If hair is tangled, apply a
natural treatment (like organic aloe vera gel etc.) and run the hair brush through to
detangle. Start at the nape of the neck (where head lice like to congregate). Place
comb at the scalp, and run it all the way through to the ends of the hair. Between
each pass of the comb, wipe with a clean cloth or rinse to remove any dead lice or
nits the comb has captured. Repeat the process until every section has been
completed. Once complete, rinse the hair and do a thorough inspection for any
dead lice or nits that may have been missed during the initial comb-out.
Long hair can get easily knotty and tangled, which is why brushing is such an
important part of keeping hair healthy. First, comb your hair before washing it.
Wash/ Wet your hair. Apply a treatment/conditioner if there's any. Comb from the
ends and work your way up. Brush from the roots to the bottom. Then start styling
the hair the way you wanted or supposed to.
Do’s and Don'ts:
Do: Use it every time you apply treatments specially when the hairs are still wet.
Don't: Use it harshly, as it might cause either the hair or the comb to break.
Significance:
Despite the tousled locks of Julius Caesar and Abraham Lincoln, the comb
has been around for thousands of years. Used first as a rudimentary grooming tool,
the comb has evolved into many forms for all types of hair. The type of comb you
need will vary depending on your hair's thickness and texture, as well as the
purpose of the comb. Parting hair requires a different comb than combing or
styling hair. Hair is the natural habitat of lice. The head hair, above all of children,
gets easily infested by head lice, which, while they cause itching, are little more
than a nuisance. More dangerous are body and crab lice which attach their nits to
clothing. Apart from causing intense discomfort they can transmit diseases such as
typhus. According to Herodotus Egyptian priests shaved their whole bodies to get
rid of lice and other impure things. That is why Wooden Nit/Louse Comb are so
important from past to present as it help human and even animals to maintain the
healthiness and presentability of their hair.