Prior to the 1950s, the few commercial hair care products available for women included harsh shampoos and soaps, hair lacquers and Brilliantine, and for men, greasy creams and tonics.
After World War II ended, silicones made a modest debut as a lubricant to prevent blockage of hair spray nozzles.1 However, by the 1970s and 1980s, the benefits of this multifunctional chemistry had propelled silicones to the forefront in hair conditioning, and their strong momentum in diverse hair care products – from setting gels to volumisers to frizz controllers – continues today.
In fact, the global hair care market is forecast to reach $84.3 billion by the end of 2015, led by shampoos and conditioners.2 Of the thousands of new hair care products launched per year, approximately 60 per cent3 will contain at least one silicone material, and often more than one in the case of conditioners.
Silicones have sustained their popularity in hair care for several reasons: they are very effective in providing benefits to hair including shine, repair and protection from colour loss; they are safe for people and the environment; they are stable under conditions of intended use; and they are exceptionally versatile, giving formulators a steady stream of new options to meet changing styles and consumer demands.
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
