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Hair conditioner

language culture Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Hair conditioner is a special product used to make hair feel and look better.

Herbalessencebottles
Herbalessencebottles

It works by making the hair strands smoother. This reduces friction when you use a brush or a comb. Without it, brushing might cause damage to your scalp. Many people use it to repair hair or stop split ends. You usually use it right after you wash with shampoo. Some people rinse it out quickly, while others leave it in.

Hair detergent
Hair detergent

There are many different ways to use conditioner. Thick products called hair masks or deep conditioners are very heavy. They use special ingredients to glue the hair surface scales together. These help restore moisture and stop hair from breaking. You might leave these on for 30 to 45 minutes. Leave-in conditioners are much thinner so they do not feel greasy. They are very helpful for people with curly or kinky hair.

Herbalessencebottles
Herbalessencebottles

People have cared for their hair for many centuries. In the late Victorian era, men often used Macassar oil. This oil was very greasy and messy. People had to pin small cloths called antimaccasars to furniture. This kept the oil from staining the chairs and sofas. At the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, Edouard Pinaud showed a new product. He called it Brilliantine. It was made to soften hair, beards, and moustaches.

Hair detergent
Hair detergent

Modern science has created many new types of conditioners. Some are called hold conditioners to keep hair in a specific shape. Others are cleansing conditioners that can replace shampoo. Scientists use ingredients like silicones to make hair shiny. They also use sunscreens like benzophenone-4 to protect hair color. Thermal protectors help shield hair from the heat of a blow-dryer. These modern products work well without feeling heavy or oily.

Herbalessencebottles
Herbalessencebottles

Conditioners work by changing how the hair reacts to the world. Most hair is made of a protein called keratin. This protein has a negative charge on its surface. Conditioners use cationic surfactants to bind to that protein. This creates a new, smooth surface on the hair. Many conditioners are also acidic to help the hair stay compact. This helps the scales on the hair surface tighten up.

Herbalessencebottles
Herbalessencebottles
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