Shampoo

Shampoo is a soap product which is explicitly for the cleaning of hair. It is designed to remove oil, dirt and build-up which accumulates from the scalp as well as the environment in general. Pollutants, natural oils, dry skin, and styling products form a residue in hair. Shampoo removes this build-up, and is used by both men and women.

Shampoo is much different from soap. Its surfactants remove the residue without removing hair's natural oils, so hair doesn't become dry and brittle. It is common to use a hair conditioner to soften the hair and make it more manageable.http://www.chemistryquestion.com/English/Questions/ChemistryInDailyLife/1c_Shampoo_Soap.html

The concept of shampooing the hair has only been in existence for a century or so. It originates from ancient times when men and women of Greece and Rome would use soaps and essential oils to clean and fragrence their hair. However, the word shampoo did not come about until the 1700's when it was adopted from the Hindi word champo which means to massage.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/shampoo

Innovations in hair care did not occur until the turn of the century when human hygiene demands began to rise and a Berlin chemist answered that call by opening a drug store where he sold powdered shampoo. Since that time, the science of shampoo has brought us products to enhance luster, eliminate dandruff, cleanse, and condition the hair and has become a milestones of achievement in personal hygiene for those of all ages.http://www.randomhistory.com/2008/07/19_shampoo.html

There are certain factors that all people should look into when selecting a shampoo. For example, The Ladies Home Journal states to stay away from shampoo that contains sodium laureth sulfate because it is drying to the hair.http://www.lhj.com/style/hair/hair-care/healthy-hair-habits/ Hair specialists recommend that hair should be brushed after showering to prevent the hair from becoming tangled. Shampoo with foaming agents should be avoided to stay away from a dry scalp. Other natural ingredients, such as lemon, menthol, mint and papaya can also be irritating to scalp.http://www.long-healthy-hair-advisor.com/shampoo-facts.html

Most salon quality shampoos do not build up on hair over time when they're used repeatedly. They remain effective for as long as they're used and do not become less effective or ineffective all together when it comes to cleaning or nourishing hair. Because of this, the practice of rotating shampoos or exchanging one for another periodically is not necessary. Though the myth suggesting a rotation is not true, hair may still benefit from occasional rests or breaks from conditioning and the use of styling products. However, fine or delicate hair may still benefit from certain moisturizing processes and regimens that require alternating products.http://www.salonweb.com/pro/shampoo.htm