HAIR PRODUCTS

The hair care and cosmetics industries are one of the biggest and fastest-growing industries in the world today. The multi-billion dollar industry diversify and grow in leaps and bounds each year, adding dozens of products-some of which were previously unheard of.

Revolutionary developments in the R&D department have resulted in a slew of products available- ranging from hair oils, shampoos, conditioners, serums, sprays to holding sprays/gels and so forth. Colours/dyes are available for changing the appearance of your hair and how you feel about yourself. Based on the functions, the hair products can further be classified into:

1)   Shampoos

Shampoos have been used since times immemorial. The origin of shampoos can be traced back to ancient India. The primary reason to shampoo your hair regularly is to cleanse off the dirt and particles and grease that get accumulated due to the polluted outer environment. Recent developments have led to the segregation of shampoos based upon the type of hair and requirement. There have been shampoos dedicated to excessive hair fall, dandruff removal, dry or damaged hair, and hair repairing. The proper method for application is to wash the hair with warm water first, applying shampoo, slowly massaging the scalp and then rinsing off with cold water. It is not advised to use shampoos daily as the daily cleansing effect the vital nourishment and nutrition- leaving the hair dry, brittle and prone to split ends.

2)               Conditioner

Conditioners are generally used after shampoo to provide the hair with the much-needed nourishment and nutrition that gets washed off due to the thorough cleansing of the hair. Like shampoos, conditioners are also segregated- tailor-made to the needs of a specific hair type. The conditioners provide the necessary nourishment to make the hair look fuller, smoother and silkier. Some examples protect the hair from the damages done from colouring. Conditioners can come in two forms; rinse-off and leave-in.

3)               Serums and Sprays

Serums and/or sprays are the latest development in hair care research. They are known to provide concentrated nourishment to the hair. For people with long hair, they also detangle the knots formed and smoothens out the hair- resulting in a healthy shine and full volume. Serums and sprays differ vastly in the price range and is generally used as an after-rinse product.

4)               Holding Sprays and Gels

Holding sprays and gels are generally used to dry out the moisture in the hair and keep the hair firmly in place. They can be used for straightening the hair as well as curling it. They contain active polymers and solvents, which might cause allergic reactions for some. It is better to apply a test patch and observe for irritations present on the skin, scalp, hair, etc. Extensive use of such products may damage the quality of your hair, and it is advised to cleanse it off after there is no use for it.

5)               Colours and Dyes

The practice of hair colouring has been used for a long time. Initially used for covering grey and ageing hair, the rise in the fashion industry has led to a lot of individuals opting to dye their hair and experiment with different looks. Almost every colour-ranging from black to blue, red, orange, burgundy- even pop pink or platinum blonde are now available for personal use. The colour of the hair can significantly impact how a person feels about themself. A necessary point of caution- people with naturally darker hair are generally advised not to bleach the hair- no matter how chic it may look. Bleach damages the hair cuticles- leading to breakage and split ends.

6)               Oils

Prior to the development of conditioners, hair oils had been the primary source of hair nourishment and nutrition for hair throughout all the cultures. Even now, herbal hair oils are hugely beneficial, doing the least amount of damage to the hair. Coconut oil is probably the most widely used among them all. However, aromatherapy experts suggest various herbal extracts- in the oil form can improve the overall standard of hair. Some of them are also linked to hair regeneration. The oil extracts are generally applied after dilution in some carrier oil(coconut or almond oil) before massaging through the scalp- slowly from root to the tip of the hair. Hot towels can also be used for wrapping up the hair- allowing the hair to absorb all the nutrient goodness before finally rinsing it off.

As the world changes, the number of hair products available to us slowly increase. Some hair products will always be in more demand than others, but as social trends change, some products may gain more popularity.