OMG!CHEMISTRY'saroundME!!

Friday, May 15, 2009 Shampooo-poo-pooo-pooo anyone?

First post, highlight on shampoos. =]

Why? Because I just shampooed my hair just now. Hahaa. ok ... lame =.=

Let’s just get back to the topic.

Well, I understand that most of you know the reason why you use shampoo to wash your hair.

But, do you know what’s behind the thick or creamy in the hands, and produce

a nice feeling lather with a nice smell from the shampoo you use?

If you don’t, Im gona let you know. If u do, let’s just explore the inner part of a shampoo together. Alright mates? ^-^

Basically, the reason we shampoo our hair is to clean it.

But the shampoo must not clean too well. O_o?
ehh?! I mentioned that shampoo is used to clean our hair right?

But why must NOT CLEAN TOO WELL?
Well, the fact is, because all of the protective natural oils in the hair would be stripped out caused by the chemical contents.
Natural oils in the hair are very important so that our hair will not be too dry.
On the other hand, excessive of oils in the hair will make our hair oily and that is when the shampoo comes to help.

This is what actually happens when washing hair with shampoo.

Do you know why shampoos are soluble and they can be easily rinsed away without scum?

The most common ingredient in shampoos is also the most common detergent in use in other products where a class of surfactants known as straight-chain alkyl benzene sulfonates. For example, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and its close relative Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
A material that can greatly reduce the surface tension of water when used in very low concentrations. These detergent work best in water that has little calcium
and magnesium, as these elements bind to the detergent and make an insoluble scum.

Then, tetrasodium EDTA is used to sequester the calcium and magnesium from the detergent where it sequesters calcium and magnesium from hard water, preventing them from forming scum with soaps and detergents.

Chemical formula of tetrasodium EDTA

Alright now, why and how does shampoo produce a nice feeling lather like I wrote above?

This is caused by the foaming agent, Cocamide DEA made from fatty acids in coconut oils.

Chemical formula of Cocamide DEA

Most shampoos contain foaming agents to introduce gas bubbles into the water mainly for spreading the detergent over the hair and scalp for cleansing. This is why when we shampoo our hair, foam is formed.

But ofcourse the foam formed when we shampoo our hair won't have eyes and hands
like that picture lah.. =/

Not to forget another important fact about shampoo is the pH value.

Do u feel that your hair is rough?
This is because all basic shampoos are alkaline which causes hair shaft swelling. Thus, raising the cuticle of the hair somewhat like the scales on a fish and making the hair to be rough.
But somehow, they are formulated that way in order for them to clean our hair. But strong alkalines damage hair, so there are some products that are made more acidic.
So, to prevent this problem from occurring, most shampoos are made slightly acidic to keep the cuticle smooth and flat on the hair shaft.

This is how our hair looks like due to loss of cuticle as well as swelling of cuticle through exposure of the hair to the alkaline pH result in hair shaft damage .

To fight againts the alkalinity, ingredients like citric acid are added to acidify the shampoo which acts as the pH balance. Besides, there are many other pH balances added to the shampoo nowadays such as vitamin B5 (panthenol) and natural tea tree oil to ensure that the shampoo is not too alkaline which is not healthy for our hair.

This is how the cuticles look like when they are raised by the alkalinity of the solution.

Goodness... x____x

There are many types of hair such as normal hair, dry hair, oily hair, damaged hair and so on. Everyone of us require different type of shampoo that is suitable.
Better choose the correct type of shampoo for your hair instead of choosing those with nice smell/aroma and convincing advertisement.
Remember! The important part to look at when choosing a shampoo is the ingredients. Not the shape of the container, not the price nor the colour.
For instance, don't get too convinced with the result that lion got.

It
may
be
JUST
FOR
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

LIONS.

Cheers =]

Enjoy! XD

chemical reactions 5/15/2009 08:29:00 PM