Importance of Hair Care – Products

8 July 2014 10:11 am [metaslider id=935] By Nayana Karunaratne

Beauty of a woman can be enhanced immensely with well maintained healthy head of hair.

Unlike in the past today there are many quality products easily available to help you maintain your hair, despite your busy schedule. Given below are the purpose, value and guide to select the suitable products to maintain beautiful hair.

Shampoo

The purpose of shampoo is to cleanse the hair and scalp removing sweat, dust, dirt, oil, natural secretions and the dead skin on the scalp. Shampoos have a pH between 4 to 6 and do not contain soap and being a little acidic they are kinder to the hair. They are the most commonly available shampoos Shampoo gets activated when mixed with water. The physical action of shampooing makes the grease and dirt become an emulsion that is then rinsed away with the water. This is known as the emulsifying action. Sulfate free shampoos are less harming on colour treated hair than normal shampoos that contain sulfates.

Conditioners

Conditioners are often used after shampooing to smooth down the cuticle layer of the hair, which can become roughened during the physical process of shampooing. There are three main types of conditioners.

•  Anti-oxidant conditioners are mainly used in salons after chemical services such as a colour, perm or straightening to prevent oxidation.
• Treatment conditioners such as deep conditioners and hair spa, enter into the cortex of the hair and help improve the hair’s internal condition.
• External conditioners or daily use conditioners that smooth down the cuticle layer, making the hair shiny, easy to comb and smooth. Conditioners also provide a physical layer of protection for the hair against physical and environmental damage. Conditioners also contain thermal protectors to protect the hair from heat, glossers for shine, and oils to avoid dryness. Cream rinse is different to a hair conditioner which is a thinner substance than conditioner, used simply to detangle hair.

Hair mousse

Hair mousse is a hairstyling product added to hair for extra volume and shine. It is dispensed in an aerosol foam spray or in cream form. Hair mousse adds volume to hair and provides both conditioning and hold, without any clumps or build-up. Hair mousse is purple while in the can and turns an off-white colour upon coming in contact with the air. A lighter-weight styling product, mousse is applied to wet hair before drying and styling. Mousse can be used on naturally curly or permed hair to reduce frizz and define curl. Mousse is a popular choice for both short and long hairstyles.

Gel

There are many brands of hair gel available in a number of variants. Gels give a soft hold to the hair while some gels give the hair a wet look. A category typically referred to as “ethnic” gels are made for sculpting the hair texture. Some forms of hair gel include temporary hair colouring that get washed away with one shampoo.

Hair Spray

Hair Spray (also hair lacquer or spritz) is a common product that is sprayed onto hair to keep it stiff or remain in a certain style. The spray is dispensed from a pump or aerosol spray nozzle holding about 6 – 12 inches away from the hair. They come in a variety of strengths as, mild, medium and stronghold.

Hair serum

Hair serum is a hair care solution which makes the hair shine and stops it from tangling. It protects the hair from the damages done by overexposure to the sun and styling products. Applied on washed hair, the effect of the serum application will remain only until the next wash. Hair serum forms a thin protective layer on the hair strands and provided the lost moisture to the hair. It is primarily used for dry and frizzy hair, which breaks easily, or hairs that have under gone excessive chemical treatments like perming, colouring or straightening.

Hair Wax

Hair Wax is a sticky substance very popular among men, used to keep the hair smooth and controlled. Often marketed as “paste”, “putty”, “glue”, or “whip”, these products come in various textures and consistencies, and essentially achieve the same effect.

Pomade

Pomade is a greasy and waxy substance that is used to style hair. Pomade makes hair look slick, neat and shiny. Unlike hair spray and hair gel, pomade does not dry, and often takes several washes to remove. Pomade is commonly used with dry and rough hair to keep it from getting dry. Traditionally, the difference between hair wax and pomade was that pomade gave the hair a slicker, shinier appearance than wax.

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