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What is Shampoo?

Brad Cole
Brad Cole

Shampoo is a type of cleaning agent that is used on hair. In most cases, the cleaning agent comes dissolved in a liquid. The liquid solution is massaged into wet hair, and creates a lather that breaks up deposits of oil and dirt. The lather is then rinsed from the hair after a few minutes, leaving the hair clean.

Shampoos have a number of qualities that should be considered before use. How well a shampoo cleans is very important, and individual brands usually come in slightly different formulations for either “normal” or “oily” hair. The fragrance that a shampoo leaves in the hair is also a major consideration, and is why scented shampoos are so popular. Other factors often taken into account include how shiny the shampoo makes the hair, possible irritation of the scalp, toxicity, price, if organic ingredients have been used, and whether or not the shampoo has been tested on animals.

Plastic bottles of shampoo.
Plastic bottles of shampoo.

There are many different categories of specialty shampoos, with each type claiming to have properties beyond cleaning hair. A few of these categories are: lice killing shampoos that help get rid of lice infestations; anti-dandruff shampoos that often contain fungicides, chemicals that can assist in removing white flakes in hair; clarifying shampoos that remove hair-care product buildup; baby shampoos that are specially formulated to be gentle; thickening shampoos that purport to make hair fuller; straightening shampoos that make hair less curly; 2-in-1 shampoos that contain conditioners; and dry shampoos that can be used without water.

Some shampoos are made specifically to treat dandruff.
Some shampoos are made specifically to treat dandruff.

Modern shampoo is not made out of traditional soap. Although earlier versions did use soap shavings, traditional soap-based shampoo made hair dull and irritated the scalp. Modern shampoo is formulated using chemicals and fragrances that balance the ability to clean hair with other factors including scalp irritation and superficial look. By leaving some oil in the hair, being slightly acidic, rinsing cleanly, and not irritating the skin, the chemical composition of modern shampoo has shown itself to be far superior to that of the soap-based original.

Discussion Comments

musicshaman

One thing that's important to bear in mind when buying shampoo is the difference between shampoo and conditioner for thin hair, and shampoo for thinning hair.

One is intended for those with thin hair, as in, not voluminous hair. Products that claim to be the "best thin hair shampoo and conditioner" are not intended to be read as "the best shampoo for thinning hair", i.e., "the best shampoo for hair loss". Those two things are quite different problems, and using one product as opposed to the other can make quite a bit of difference.

pleats

What is the best hair shampoo and conditioner for a pre-teen boy? I am trying to get my son to start using his own shower products, and he steadfastly refuses to shampoo. I have no idea why.

As he is getting longer hair, it's really starting to be a problem.

So how can I get a good, yet not "girly" shampoo that a boy like that might actually use?

rallenwriter

I have to say, I think that hair shampoo and conditioner are one of the best inventions of the recent centuries.

Any question -- just stand next to someone who hasn't washed their hair for a few days.

You'll be lining up to give them hair and shampoo products within no time.

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    • Plastic bottles of shampoo.
      By: Dessie
      Plastic bottles of shampoo.
    • Some shampoos are made specifically to treat dandruff.
      By: Jasmin Merdan
      Some shampoos are made specifically to treat dandruff.
    • The lather of a shampoo breaks up the oil and dirt in hair.
      By: cirquedesprit
      The lather of a shampoo breaks up the oil and dirt in hair.
    • Some shampoos contain acids that are designed to make the hair shinier.
      By: edwardderule
      Some shampoos contain acids that are designed to make the hair shinier.
    • Shampoo ingredients might be designed to help treat scalp issues.
      By: Lars Zahner
      Shampoo ingredients might be designed to help treat scalp issues.
    • Some shampoos are designed to prevent and kill lice.
      By: corinne matusiak
      Some shampoos are designed to prevent and kill lice.
    • Allergies to an ingredient in shampoo may cause itching or burning.
      By: diego cervo
      Allergies to an ingredient in shampoo may cause itching or burning.