Hair conditioner is used to moisturize the hair to make is softer and shinier. Conditioners are sold with a number of different functionalities including moisturizing, straightening and detangling. Most conditioners are rinsed out, however there are leave-in conditioners which add smaller amounts of oils to the hair, allowing it to still be manageable.http://www.salonweb.com/pro/conditioner

Hair conditioners can fall into several different categories. Different types of conditioner give hair different results. A conditioner is used after the hair has been shampooed, with excess water removed. There are various options when looking for conditioner and one should be chosen based the needs of the consumer.

• Acidifier - A pH balance of 2.5 to 3.5 is what qualifies a hair conditioner as an acidifier. This acid will flatten the cuticle layer of the hair, resulting in beautiful shiny, bouncy hair. This conditioner is great for people with fine textured hair.http://www.salonweb.com/pro/conditioner.htm#acid

• Detangler - This is an acidifier conditioner. The acid flattened the cuticle of the hair shaft. Some detanglers work instantly, others take several minutes before they complete the transformation that allow hair to untangle during combing.http://www.salonweb.com/pro/conditioner.htm#detangle

• Glosser - When you use a glosser, it is mainly just to make the hair shinier. Most of them very light-weight oils, made from silicone. Glossers also help to control the "frizzies."

• Moisturizer -A moisturizing shampoo is filled with humectant compounds that attract and trap moisture.http://www.salonweb.com/pro/conditioner.htm#moist

• E.F.A. - Permanent relaxers, hair coloring, and other chemicals can cause hair to be dry and brittle. An E.F.A conditioner is made to mimic sebum, an oil produced naturally by the scalp.http://www.salonweb.com/pro/conditioner.htm#efa

• Re-constructor - Hydrolyzed human hair protein has 19 amino acids. The protein is lightweight and it penetrates the cortex and strengthens the hair.http://www.salonweb.com/pro/conditioner.htm#recon

• Thermal Protection - If your hair suffers from heat damage, a thermal conditioner will offer a layer of protection. Blow drying, a hot curling iron and time in the sun can cause damage to your hair. Protect your hair with thermal hair conditioners.http://www.salonweb.com/pro/conditioner.htm#thermal

For many years oils had been used to moisturize the hair, however earlier types would leave hair oily and would stain clothing and furniture. The first modern day conditioner, brilliantine, was introduced in 1900 at the Exposition Universelle in Paris by Ed. Pinaud. Modern science has improved the quality of hair conditioner by adding silicone, fatty alcohols, and quaternary ammonium compounds, allowing it to moisturize without feeling oily and weighing hair down.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Ed. Pinaud presented a product he named brilliantine. He presented his new hair product at the Exposition Universelle, in Paris, France. His hair care product was to soften men's hair. The facial hair, including beards and mustaches were softened. Since then, modern science and advanced knowledge has given us hair conditioners with ingredients that include with silicone, fatty alcohols, and quaternary ammonium compounds. These chemical products allow the benefits of hair conditioner without weighing it down.