Hairstyling product

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Hairstyle products are used to change the texture and/or shape of hair.

Contents

History

Hairstyling products have had a significant impact on the creation of various hairstyles and trends throughout history. For the ancient Egyptians, physical appearance was very important to the embalming process. Hair was often styled to maintain the individuality of the deceased. A fatty substance, now known as hair gel, was used to style hair and keep it in place. [1] The 1980s punk movement popularized using hair gel to sculpt spiky hairstyles, such as mohawks. [2] The ancient Gauls had invented a waxy soap-like substance, similar to hair wax, as a hair styling agent. Many years later, the same soap-like substance was used as a cleaning agent. [3] In 1948, Chase Products became the first company to package hair spray. Hair spray became very popular in the 1950s due to its ability to keep hair in place and prevent hair from falling out of a styled look. [4]

Types

Hair gel

Hair styled with hair gel Hair gel.jpg
Hair styled with hair gel

Hair gel is a hairstyle product that is used to stiffen hair into a particular hairstyle. The end result is similar to, but stronger than, those of hair spray. Hair gel is most commonly used in the hairstyling of men, but it is not gender specific. Hair gel can come in tubes, pots, small bags, or even in a spray form.

Hair wax

A small pot of hair pomade Hair wax.jpg
A small pot of hair pomade

Hair wax is a thick hair styling product containing wax, which helps hold hair in place. Unlike some products such as hair gel which leave the hair hard in texture, hair wax leaves the hair pliable. Many manufacturers are now releasing different versions of hair wax, such as pomade, putty, glue, glypto, whip, and styling paste. [5]

Hair mousse

Hair mousse is a product added to hair for extra volume and shine. It is most commonly produced as a foam, but can also be found as a spray. Hair mousse adds volume without causing clumps or buildup. It is a lighter alternative to hair gel. Mousse is generally applied to the roots of damp hair before blow drying or styling. Mousse may also be used to add definition to curls, or to add texture to hair for a beach blown effect.

Pomade

Pomade is an oil-based or water-based product designed for slick and tight hairstyles. Unlike hair spray and hair gel, pomade does not dry and often takes several washes to remove. Grease-cutting shampoos and deep-cleansing conditioners can be used to quicken the removal process. Other methods of removal include the use of olive oil, dish washing liquid, and lemon juice.

Most oil based pomades contain petroleum jelly (and in fact, petroleum jelly can be used alone as a pomade) and mineral oil, and many also contain some sort of wax. [6] They may also contain perfume and coloring agents. A plethora of pomades are still in production today and vary in factors such as weight, shine, and scent. The stiffest will have a higher proportion of beeswax [7] while the lightest may have a higher proportion of oils.

Hair spray

Cans of hairspray Hairspray.JPG
Cans of hairspray

Hair spray is a common household aqueous solution which is used to stiffen hair into a certain style. It was first developed and manufactured in 1948 by Chase Products, based in Broadview, Illinois. Weaker than hair gel or hair wax, it is sprayed directly onto the hair to hold styles for long periods of time. It sprays evenly over the hair using a pump or aerosol spray nozzle. The product may leave hair feeling 'crunchy' unless brushed out.

The active ingredients in hair spray are called polymers, which keep the hair stiff and firm without snapping. Solvents, which make up most of the content of the hairspray, are responsible for carrying these polymers in a solution. [8]

Originally, the solvent found in hair spray was a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). CFCs are nontoxic, nonflammable, and make almost ideal aerosol propellants. However, when research concluded that CFCs cause destruction of stratospheric ozone, they were replaced with other solvents, such as alcohols and hydrocarbons. [9]

One of the polymers used in hair spray is polyvinylpyrrolidone, which is water-soluble. The non-water-soluble polymer polydimethylsiloxane is added to make the hold last a bit longer. Some less common polymers found in hair spray include copolymers with vinyl acetate and copolymers with maleic anhydride.

Some hair sprays use natural polymers and solvents like vegetable gums dissolved in alcohol. One popular ingredient in natural hair sprays is gum arabic, which is made from the sap of various species of the acacia tree. Gum tragacanth is another herbal gum that is used to stiffen calico and crepe, as well as hair.

Hair volumizer

Hair volumizers are used to temporarily add volume, body and shine to thin or flat hair. Hair volumizers are used by both men and women. Men turn to hair volumizers to make their hair look more dense.[ non sequitur ] Volumizers come in many forms such as shampoos, conditioners, sprays, pomades and lotions.

Hair volumizers contain humectants, which work by attracting moisture from the surrounding areas to the hair strand, thereby swelling the hair and making it look thicker. Various polymers present in the volumizer coat the hair strand, making it look thicker and shiny.

Shampoo and conditioner forms of the volumizers are used just like ordinary shampoo or conditioners. The spray and lotion form of volumizers are used on damp hair near the roots of the hair. In order to use a hair volumizer, the person using the product must flip their head downward and gradually blow dry the hair, with the air being blown along the shaft of the hair until the hair is dry. Drying the hair in this position will increase volume and achieve the desired effect.

While the hairstyling products listed above are the most commonly used, there are other types of products as well. Serums, leave-in conditioner, clays, hair tonic, hair dry powder shampoo, and heat protection sprays are frequently used hairstyling products in salons and homes across the country.

Disadvantages

When applied properly, most styling products will not damage the hair. However, there is always a risk of the hair drying out when using any type of styling product. Some styling products contain ingredients that can dissolve the hair's natural oils, or ingredients which can cause a build-up that results in so-called "dull hair". This build-up of harmful ingredients can cause problems such as dry hair, hair breakage, eczema, or the thinning of hair.

When using a hair dryer to dry and shape one's hair, the heat being applied can cause damage to the hair strands. [10] This heat damage can be prevented by using some sort of heat protectant spray.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hairstyle</span> Style of hair, usually on the human scalp

A hairstyle, hairdo, haircut or coiffure refers to the styling of hair, usually on the human head but sometimes on the face or body. The fashioning of hair can be considered an aspect of personal grooming, fashion, and cosmetics, although practical, cultural, and popular considerations also influence some hairstyles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varnish</span> Transparent hard protective finish or film

Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not to be confused with wood stain. It usually has a yellowish shade due to the manufacturing process and materials used, but it may also be pigmented as desired. It is sold commercially in various shades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair wax</span> Hairstyling product

Hair wax is a thick hairstyling product containing wax, used to assist with holding the hair. In contrast with hair gel, most of which contain alcohol, hair wax remains pliable and has less chance of drying out. It is often sold under names such as pomade, putty, glue, whip, molding gum, or styling paste. The texture, consistency, and purpose of these products varies widely and each has a different purported purpose depending on the manufacturer. Traditionally, pomade is a type of hair wax that also adds shine to one's hair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paint stripper</span> Chemical product that removes paint, finishes, and coatings

Paint stripper or paint remover is a chemical product designed to remove paint, finishes, and coatings, while also cleaning the underlying surface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair conditioner</span> Hair care product

Hair conditioner is a hair care cosmetic product used to improve the feel, texture, appearance and manageability of hair. Its main purpose is to reduce friction between strands of hair to allow smoother brushing or combing, which might otherwise cause damage to the scalp. Various other benefits are often advertised, such as hair repair, strengthening, or a reduction in split ends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair gel</span> Gel used as a hairstyling product

Hair gel is a hairstyling product that is used to harden hair into a particular hairstyle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair mousse</span> Hairstyling product

Hair mousse, also referred to as styling foam, is a hairstyling product to protect, control, and style hair. "Mousse" originates from a French term meaning foam. Hair mousse originated in France and was brought to the North American retail market by L'Oreal in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pomade</span> Hairstyling product

Pomade is a greasy, waxy, or water-based substance that is used to style hair. It generally gives the user's hair a shiny, slick appearance. It lasts longer than most hair-care products, and often requires multiple washes for complete removal. The pomades of the 18th and 19th centuries consisted mainly of bear fat or lard. Lanolin, beeswax and petroleum jelly have been used extensively in modern pomades. The hold of pomades makes sculptured hairstyles such as the pompadour waves (hairstyle) possible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polydimethylsiloxane</span> Chemical compound

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), also known as dimethylpolysiloxane or dimethicone, is a silicone polymer with a wide variety of uses, from cosmetics to industrial lubrication.

Polyquaternium is the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients designation for several polycationic polymers that are used in the personal care industry. Polyquaternium is a neologism used to emphasize the presence of quaternary ammonium centers in the polymer. INCI has approved at least 40 different polymers under the polyquaternium designation. Different polymers are distinguished by the numerical value that follows the word "polyquaternium". Polyquaternium-5, polyquaternium-7, and polyquaternium-47 are three examples, each a chemically different type of polymer. The numbers are assigned in the order in which they are registered rather than because of their chemical structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair spray</span> Hair styling product

Hair spray is a common cosmetic hairstyling product that is sprayed onto hair to protect against humidity and wind and have it stay in a desired shape. Hair sprays typically consist of several components for the hair as well as a propellant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shower gel</span> Liquid products used for cleaning the body

Shower gel is a specialized liquid product used for cleaning the body during showers. Not to be confused with liquid soaps, shower gels, in fact, do not contain saponified oil. Instead, it uses synthetic detergents derived from either petroleum or plant sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunsilk</span> British hair care brand

Sunsilk is a British hair care brand produced by the company Unilever. The brand was introduced in 1954 in the UK and available in most countries globally. It is a hair care brand in Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aussie (shampoo)</span> American toiletries brand specializing in hair care products

Aussie is an American toiletries brand. Its products are focused on hair care, such as shampoos, conditioners, hair serums, gels, and sprays. While its logo is a kangaroo, and slogan is "Add some Roo to Your Do!", along with earlier advertisements having the voiceover of an Australian woman, the brand is not Australian owned, made, nor conducts research & development in Australia. The products are manufactured in Europe and the United States by Procter & Gamble, an American company. The brand and initial product was created by American businessperson Thomas Redmond in the late 1970s.

Personal care products are consumer products which are applied on various external parts of the body such as skin, hair, nails, lips, external genital and anal areas, as well as teeth and mucous membrane of the oral cavity, in order to make them clean, protect them from harmful germs and keep them in good condition. They promote personal hygiene and overall health, well-being and appearance of those body parts. Toiletries form a narrower category of personal care products which are used for basic hygiene and cleanliness as a part of a daily routine. Cosmetic products, in contrast, are used for personal grooming and beautification. Pharmaceutical products are not considered personal care products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair straightening</span> Hair styling technique

Hair straightening is a hair styling technique used since the 1890s involving the flattening and straightening of hair in order to give it a smooth, streamlined, and sleek appearance. It became very popular during the 1950s among black males and females of all races. It is accomplished using a hair iron or hot comb, chemical relaxers, Japanese hair straightening, Brazilian hair straightening, or roller set/blowdryer styling. In addition, some shampoos, conditioners, and hair gels can help to make hair temporarily straight.

Greasy hair is a hair condition which is common in humans, one of four main types of hair conditioning— normal, greasy, dry and greasy dry. It is primarily caused by build-up of the natural secretion from the sebaceous glands in the scalp and is characterised by the continuous development of natural grease on the scalp. A chronic condition of greasy hair may often accompany chronic greasy skin conditions on the face and body and oily skin and acne. Excessive carbohydrate, fat and starch consumption can increase the likelihood of developing greasy hair and also poor personal hygiene and not washing the hair for a long duration will lead to a buildup of sebum in the hair follicles. Hair conditioners can decrease the likelihood of developing greasy hair after shampooing. Some cosmetics companies produce shampoos and conditioners specifically to deal with greasy hair and for oily or dry hair problems. Massaging the scalp and exposure to the sun can reduce the problem of greasy hair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frizz</span> Hair that does not align with the surrounding hair

Frizz is hair that does not align with the surrounding hair, but stands up or curls independently, creating a fuzzy or irregular texture. The three main causes of frizz are genetics, hair damage, and humidity. Frizzy hair can be seen as a positive or a negative trait depending on the current fashion and one's personal preference. Many hair products, such as gels, pomades, and hair waxes, are designed to reduce frizz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polyquaternium-7</span> Chemical compound

Polyquaternium-7 is an organic compound in the polyquaternium class of chemicals and used in the personal care industry. It is the copolymer of acrylamide and the quaternary ammonium salt diallyldimethylammonium chloride.

Hair volumizer is used to temporarily add volume, body, and shine to thin or flat hair. Used by both men and women, most men tend to use it to make their hair look more dense. Volumizers come in many forms such as shampoos, conditioners, sprays, pomades and lotions.

References

  1. ↑ McCreesh, N. C.; Gize, A. P.; David, A. R. (2011-12-01). "Ancient Egyptian hair gel: new insight into ancient Egyptian mummification procedures through chemical analysis". Journal of Archaeological Science. 38 (12): 3432–3434. Bibcode:2011JArSc..38.3432M. doi:10.1016/j.jas.2011.08.004.
  2. ↑ Gianoulis, Tina. "Hairstyles". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  3. ↑ "All about hair wax". monplatin-news.com. 2013-04-15. Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  4. ↑ "Hair Spray facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Hair Spray". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  5. ↑ helped hair grow/tips/g8155/history-of-hair-removal/?slide=1 "History of Hair Removal". ELLE. 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2016-10-26.{{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  6. ↑ Robinson, Dixie (2008). "Hair pomade composition and method of making the same". USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database. Archived from the original on 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  7. ↑ "BEESWAX: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD". www.webmd.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "How hairspray is made". Made How. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  9. ↑ "The Montreal Protocol". www.unep.org. Archived from the original on 2016-12-04. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  10. ↑ Bergfeld, W. F. (1981). "The Side Effects of Hair Products on the Scalp and Hair". Hair Research. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. pp. 507–512. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-81650-5_82. ISBN   9783642816529.
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