Hair Preparations

    December 2000 in “ Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology ”
    Stanley Pohl, Joseph Varco, Paul Wallace, Leszek J. Wolfram
    TLDR Hair care products are regulated, with shampoos, conditioners, dyes, and styling products designed for cleaning, enhancing, and maintaining hair.
    The document discussed various aspects of hair care products, which were primarily categorized as cosmetics and subject to regulations. Shampoos, the largest segment, were formulated with synthetic detergents for effective cleansing. Conditioners aimed to improve combing, sheen, and softness, while fixatives like styling products and finishing sprays helped maintain hairstyles. Hair dyes were classified into temporary, semipermanent, and permanent systems, with safety being a key concern. Waving and straightening involved chemical processes to alter hair structure, using agents like thioglycolic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The FDA regulated these products, with some also classified as drugs if they claimed to treat or prevent disease.
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