What are hair treatments?

Hair color, texture and body vary significantly among humans and are determined primarily by genetics. Temperature, humidity, and exposure to the sun also have an affect on the texture and body of hair. Hair styling is very popular among both men and women across various cultures.

Hair is composed of strong structural protein called keratin. This is the same kind of protein that makes up the nails and the outer layer of skin.

Each strand of hair consists of three layers. The innermost layer or medulla is only present in large thick hairs. The middle layer known as the cortex provides strength and both the color and the texture of hair. The outermost layer is known as the cuticle, which is thin and colorless and serves as a protector of the cortex.

Chemical hair straightening and permanents (perms): Both relaxing and permanent waving utilize fairly strong chemicals that are applied directly to the hair shaft. While a perm is designed to add curls or waves, a relaxing treatment is designed to remove them. Hair texture and curl is determined by the arrangement of sulfide bonds in each strand. The arrangement of sulfide bonds is largely a product of genetics, although environmental factors such as humidity may also affect the hair. Chemical hair straightening and perms alter the number of sulfide bonds in a strand of hair, thus rendering a look of more or less curl.

Hair coloring: Hair colorings affect different parts of the hair. Temporary hair dyes simply coat the individual strands of hair, and wash out within a week. Semi-permanent dyes penetrate the strands of hair and bond to keratin. Permanent dyes penetrate to the core of the hair strand, and often make their way into the hair follicle on the scalp.

Shampoo and conditioner: These products work to remove grease residue produced by hair follicles. However, nearly every shampoo and conditioner now includes a variety of other scents and chemicals.