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What are Hair Care Products?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Hair care products are substances which have been formulated for use on hair. You may also hear hair care products referred to simply as “products,” especially in beauty salons. There are a number of different types of products designed for hair on the market, ranging from simple shampoos to shine enhancers. Many drug stores carry an array to choose from, and beauty parlors often stock specialty products for their clients.

A hair care product may be designed to wash, detangle, or smooth hair. Others are developed to keep hair in place, or to address specific problems with hair, such as split ends or dryness. Some are meant for daily use, while others are intended for more infrequent use and hair maintenance.

Hair spray can be used to help hold a style in place.
Hair spray can be used to help hold a style in place.

When selecting hair care products, hair type is often a major concern. Some products are formulated for specific hair colors, as for example in shampoo which highlights blonde hair, while others have been developed for dry or oily hair. It is also possible to find hair and scalp products which address scalp issues like dandruff, itchiness, and irritation. Hair care products may also be targeted at colored or treated hair.

A hair dyeing kit.
A hair dyeing kit.

Many people use shampoo and conditioner on a fairly regular basis, using the shampoo to clean their hair and moisturizing it with conditioner. Conditioner is designed to keep hair smooth and silky, reducing tangles and flyaways, and it also keeps the hair in better shape so that it will last longer. Some people also engage in periodic deep conditioning treatments to improve the condition of their hair or to address problems such as color damage.

Hair wax is a product used to form dreadlocks.
Hair wax is a product used to form dreadlocks.

Detanglers can be used in long hair, while shine enhancers can be worked into hair which feels dull or flat. Pomades, gels, hair sprays, and similar products are used to hold specific hair styles in place, while hair wax is sometimes utilized to make dreadlocks. A wide variety of coloring products are available, from temporary brush-in color to permanent hair dyes, along with specialized conditioners and oils for colored hair.

Shampoo and conditioner are hair care products.
Shampoo and conditioner are hair care products.

Specific hair care products are also available for hair which has been treated or processed. Perms tend to last longer when products designed on permed hair are used, for instance. Products which supposedly promote growth and strength, such as vitamin-enriched creams, are also available.

Extensive and heavy use of hair care products can weigh hair down, making it dull and listless and necessitating the need for strippers which will pull old product out of the hair. Strippers are usually necessary for people who put products like hairspray, wax, and so forth in their hair every day, as a layer can build up in the hair even with regular shampooing.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

croydon

@clintflint - I don't really like using the same products over and over though, because I think they are more likely to build up residue in your hair. If you change your shampoo regularly I don't think you'll have that problem. And I don't like the idea of getting hair care products online, because I like to know what they smell like and everything before I buy.

Plus I'd be really worried about the bottle breaking in transit.

clintflint

@browncoat - I don't think I've bought hair products from in store for a long time. I always get them on the internet from the cheapest place I can find. Often they have free shipping and it is half the price of the same products you'd find in a salon.

My hair is quite frizzy, so I use a lot of hair conditioner and a lot of other products to smooth it out and I would never be able to afford it if I was getting them from a salon. They have to put their prices up a lot in order to keep their business afloat and that's fine when you need the advice, but once you know what you need, there's no reason to keep paying for the advice along with the product.

browncoat

It's really important to get your beauty products from the salon, rather than just getting them from the supermarket. I always notice a huge difference when I have to use cheaper shampoo and conditioner. I don't even think you end up saving that much money, because I end up using more product to get the same effect.

Plus you can get your stylist to recommend the exact kind of hair products that you need to get the style that you want.

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    • Hair spray can be used to help hold a style in place.
      By: difught
      Hair spray can be used to help hold a style in place.
    • A hair dyeing kit.
      By: Tim
      A hair dyeing kit.
    • Hair wax is a product used to form dreadlocks.
      By: bst2012
      Hair wax is a product used to form dreadlocks.
    • Shampoo and conditioner are hair care products.
      By: EuToch
      Shampoo and conditioner are hair care products.
    • Many hair products are designed to moisturize and heal split ends.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      Many hair products are designed to moisturize and heal split ends.
    • Salons typically sell a variety of hair care products.
      By: gemenacom
      Salons typically sell a variety of hair care products.
    • Shampoos can be made for specific hair types and colors.
      By: esp2k
      Shampoos can be made for specific hair types and colors.
    • A hairbrush is a common hair care item.
      By: bedov
      A hairbrush is a common hair care item.
    • Oxidation dyes provide long-lasting coverage that fades slowly.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Oxidation dyes provide long-lasting coverage that fades slowly.