TLDR Shampoos clean hair mainly with surfactants and have added ingredients for extra benefits.
The document from 2007 explains that the primary function of shampoos is to clean hair, primarily through the action of surfactants, with anionic surfactants being the most common type used for foaming and cleaning. These anionic surfactants can be sulfates, sulfonates, carboxylates, or phosphates. Amphoteric surfactants can change their net charge based on pH, and betaines can increase shampoo viscosity when used with anionic surfactants. Since hair has a net negative charge, conditioning can be achieved by adding positively charged fatty materials to the shampoo, which then attach to the hair. Shampoos also contain other additives like anti-dandruff agents, humectants, and preservatives to provide additional benefits.
January 2013 in “Springer eBooks” Hair care products are important for appearance and self-esteem, and choosing the right ones can help maintain healthy hair.
96 citations,
September 2021 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Chitosan, a natural substance, can be used to create tiny particles that effectively deliver various types of drugs, but more work is needed to improve stability and control of drug release.
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January 2015 in “Chemical Society Reviews” Improving artificial vascular grafts requires better materials and surface designs to reduce blood clotting and support blood vessel cell growth.
67 citations,
April 2007 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” Shampoos are designed to clean and improve hair and scalp health, with specific ingredients for different hair types and conditions.
2 citations,
July 2023 in “Cosmetics” Surfactants in shampoos and conditioners remove some but not all lipids from hair, and more research is needed to understand their full impact.
