By Virgilio C. Ventura
The science and big business of human hair care involve a lot of research and development by cosmetic chemists who formulate and develop products. Knowing what is good and what is bad for your specific hair type requires the kind of determination reserved only for the brave and (maybe) too obsessed with their looks. It doesn’t help that while proper hair care information is available, you can only access them in expensive and often too-difficult-to-read academic journals. Otherwise, you may choose the easier pathway to your favorite hairstylist and hair salon.
As it happens, human hair has three main components: protein, natural oils, and keratin.1/ Shampoo is designed to remove sebum and environmental dirt from hair and scalp, while conditioner helps to detangle and moisturize hair.2/ The best way to approach analyzing hair care formulas is to consider their function.3/ Hair care products are marketed with clever wording that implies big promises, and with the industry spending millions on advertising.1/ The hair care industry is worth billions of dollars.4/
“The global hair care market size was valued at USD 91.60 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow from USD 99.53 billion in 2023 to USD 147.49 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period.”5/
Human hair for wigs, weaves, and extensions can be sourced from a variety of locations and donors, and lack of regulation and transparency within the global hair industry, coupled with fragmented supply chains, make it difficult to neatly draw a straight line through the lifecycle of human hair extensions.6/ China is the biggest exporter and importer of human hair, harvesting huge amounts from its own massive population. The hair industry is conscious of the fact that “Made in China” is viewed as a negative label, and markets the products in more glamorous ways instead. Mislabeling is common, and often the people buying the hair don’t ask questions.7/
Hair care experts explain that hair is composed of a shaft and a root, and scalp hair goes through three phases: a growth phase, a resting phase, and a shedding phase. While countless hair care products market themselves as promoting hair growth, it can be hard to figure out what your hair needs.4/
How critical are hair types for both men and women in choosing the most compatible shampoo and conditioner hair solutions?
Hair types play a crucial role in choosing the most compatible shampoo and conditioner hair solutions. Experts suggest that a shampoo should be chosen based on your scalp condition, while conditioner should be used to treat your hair. Different shampoos are designed for different types of hair and scalp. For example, dry shampoo will not work for you if you already have dry hair.8/ In general, there are 12 different types of shampoo, each formulation aimed at specific concerns and functions.9/
Knowing your hair type is essential for proper maintenance and styling.10/ Hair types can be broken down into four categories: straight, wavy, curly, and coily.11/ Each type requires different treatments to cleanse, nourish, and style. For example, if your hair is thick and curly, you’ll want to opt for something with tons of moisture to help detangle and smooth flyaways.12/
As mentioned, the hair care industry spends millions on advertising, and superlative, clever marketing. 8/ However, it can be hard to figure out what your hair actually needs, with countless hair care products marketing themselves as promoting hair growth.13/ Therefore, it is important to choose the shampoo and conditioner with the right ingredients, avoiding those with sulfates, silicones, artificial fragrances, parabens, etc. 9/
Conclusion
In conclusion, the science and big business of human hair care involve a lot of research and development. The hair care industry, and its business marketing arm, is worth billions of dollars. The science behind the hair care industry is constantly evolving, and there are tremendous opportunities for players operating in the global hair care market. Hair types play a crucial role in choosing the most compatible shampoo and conditioner hair solutions. Hair care is knowingly linked to our self-perception, confidence, and identity, and high-performing products are certainly must-haves in achieving one’s hair goals.14/ END
NOTES:
1/ Chen, A. (2016), Truth, lies, and hair products, The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/11/12864726/hair-products-shampoo-conditioner-science
2/ D’Souza, P., & Rathi, S. K. (2015). Shampoo and Conditioners: What a Dermatologist Should Know?. Indian journal of dermatology, 60(3), 248–254. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.156355. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4458934/
3/ Wong, M. (2022), The Science of Hair Products: Shampoo and Conditioner, Lab Muffin Beauty Science. https://labmuffin.com/the-science-of-hair-products-shampoo-and-conditioner-with-video/
4/ Docter-Loeb, H. (2023), What does your hair actually need? National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/what-does-your-hair-actually-need-parabens-sulfates
5/ Hair Care Market, Key Market Insights. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/hair-care- market-102555
6/ Where does human hair come from?, April 29, 2021, The Renatural. https://therenatural.com/blogs/renatural/where-does-human-hair-come-from
7/ Brewer, K. (2016), Untangling where your hair extensions really come from, BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-37781147
8/ Importance of choosing the right shampoo for your hair type, Ultrasoft, https://www.theultrasoft.in/importance-of-choosing-the-right-shampoo-for-your-hair-type/
9/ Sinha, R. (2023), The 12 Different Types of Shampoo: Which Type Is Right For You?, STYLECRAZE. https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/types-of-shampoo/
10/ Men’s Different Hair Types: How to Identify, Maintain, & Style!, Pete & Pedro. https://peteandpedro.com/blogs/the-pedro-post/mens-hair-types-chart-straight-curly-wavy
11/ How to Identify and Style Your Hair Type, healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/types-of-hair
12/ The Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Every Color, Hair Type, and Texture, whowhatwear. https://www.whowhatwear.com/best-shampoos-and-conditioners
13/ Varnika (2023), Different Hair Texture Types for Men and Women, Styles at Life. https://stylesatlife.com/articles/different-hair-types/
14/ Ana and Jelic (2018), Opinion: The hair-care industry is due for a change, GLOSSY. https://www.glossy.co/beauty/opinion-the-hair-care-industry-is-due-for-a-change/
