Shampoos
The word shampoo in English is derived from Hindi chāmpo and dates to 1762. The Hindi word referred to head massage, usually with some form of hair oil. Similar words also occur in other North Indian languages. The word and the service of head massage were introduced to Britain by a Bengali entrepreneur Sake Dean Mahomed.
Shampoo is generally made by combining a surfactant, most often sodium lauryl sulfate and/or sodium laureth sulfate with a co-surfactant, most often cocamidopropyl betaine in water to form a thick, viscous liquid. Other essential ingredients include salt (sodium chloride), which is used to adjust the viscosity, a preservative and fragrance.
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[edit] Traditional Uses:
[edit] Indonesia
Early shampoos used in Indonesia were made from the husk and straw (merang) of rice. The husks and straws were burned into ash, and the ashes (which have alkaline properties) are mixed with water to form lather. The ashes and lather were scrubbed into the hair and rinsed out, leaving the hair clean, but very dry. Afterwards, coconut oil was applied to the hair in order to moisturize it.
[edit] India
In India, a variety of herbs and their extracts are used as shampoos. A very effective shampoo is made by boiling soapnuts with dried gooseberry (amla) and a few other herbs, using the strained extract. This leaves the hair soft, shiny and manageable. Another product used is the mustard cakes left after extraction of mustard oil.
[edit] North America
Certain Native American tribes used extracts from North American plants as hair shampoo; for example the Costanoans of present day coastal California used extracts from the coastal woodfern, Dryopteris expansa, for a shampoo.
[edit] Specialized shampoos
[edit] Dandruff
Cosmetic companies have developed shampoos specifically for those who have dandruff. These contain fungicides such as ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide which reduce loose dander by killing Malassezia furfur. Coal tar and salicylate derivatives are often used as well.
[edit] Gluten and/or Wheat Free
Many people suffer from eczema on their palms and their head. Some find that wheat and/or gluten (the protein found in many grains including wheat) is the cause, particularly if they are sensitive to this in food. Other reactions can include dandruff, thinning hair and hair that breaks easily.
Shampoo can often go into the mouth, particularly children's so those with wheat allergy, intolerances or on special diets for autism, ADHD, etc.
Shampoo manufacturers are starting to recognise this and there are now gluten/wheat free products available.
[edit] Baby
Shampoo for infants and young children is formulated so that it is less irritating and usually less prone to produce a stinging or burning sensation if it were to get into the eyes.
[edit] Animal
Shampoo intended for animals may contain insecticides or other medications for treatment of skin conditions or parasite infestations such as fleas or mange.
These must never be used on humans.
Pet shampoos which include fragrances, deodorants or colors may harm the skin of the pet by causing inflammations or irritation.
Shampoos that do not contain any unnatural additives are known as hypoallergenic shampoos and are increasing in popularity.
[edit] Solid
Solid shampoos or shampoo bars use as their surfactants soaps and/or other surfactants conveniently formulated as solids. They have the advantage of being spill-proof, and the disadvantage of being slowly applied, needing to be dissolved in use.
[edit] Jelly/Gel
Stiff, non-pourable clear gels to be squeezed from a tube were once popular forms of shampoo, and can be produced by increasing a shampoo's viscosity. This type of shampoo cannot be spilled, but unlike a solid, it can still be lost down the drain by sliding off wet skin or hair. As an alternative to synthetic detergent gels, soap jelly was formerly made at home by dissolving sodium soap in hot water before being used for shampooing or other purposes, to avoid the problem of slow application of solid shampoos,
[edit] Paste/cream
Shampoos in the form of pastes or creams were formerly marketed in jars or tubes. The contents were wet but not completely dissolved. They would apply faster than solids and dissolve quickly. Jar contents were prone to contamination by users and hence had to be very well preserved.
[edit] Dry shampoo
Powdered shampoos are designed to work without water. They are typically based on powders such as starch, silca or talc, and are intended to physically absorb excess sebum from the hair before being brushed out. Those with dark hair may prefer to use brown powders such as cocoa or carob powder.
[edit] Organic Shampoos
People are now beginning to realize the harmful effects that non-organic products have on the environment and as such buying trends are shifting towards the organic types.
They are good for the environment and the skin,because organic shampoos have unadulterated natural ingredients like aloe vera, hemp, honey or citrus, they are often very good for the skin. Makers of true eco friendly shampoos have learned how to create excellent products that are preservative free but maintain a shelf life due to creative green engineering.Once again, this fact is beneficial because it lessens the chance of exposure to compounds that would cause harm to the skin or health.
Some of the common organic shampoo ingredients can include organic lavender water, ylang ylang, French lavender essential oils, citric acid, organic tea tree oil, soy protein, rock salt, vitamin E, vitamin B5, chamomile herbs and bergamont amongst many others.
Organic shampoo manufacturers generally also require that their products or ingredients are not tested on animals. That means you are not supporting cruel and inhumane practices against animals. That is another major reason people choose organic products.
[edit] Benefits of organic shampoo include:
- Your hair and scalp receive benefits of natural ingredients
- Natural extracts without chemicals
- More gentle on the skin
- Contains extra vitamins
- Free of toxic chemicals
- Non-irritant
- Stimulates new hair growth
- No residue build-up when rinsing
