Nanoscience on shampoo and conditioner

Abstract

The nanoscience of shampoo and conditioners touches on our everyday experience and bridges the traditional field of colloid science to emerging topics in nanoscience and biomaterials. This chapter, written for dermatologists, aims to demystify the hair care process focusing on the interactions of water, shampoo, and conditioners with hair as a biomaterial. The practical goal, to provide language that can be used when discussing hair care products, is met by reading through the discussion of the physical interactions between proteins, water, surfactants, oils, polymers, and hair. We conclude by reviewing several nanotechnology-based approaches found in hair care today as well as some emerging approaches we expect to see in future products.