Shampoo Glossary

2 in 1 - Shampoo and conditioner combined in one bottle for convenience for people with normal, healthy hair. There are essentially 2 ingredients that have been added to a regular shampoo to make it a 2-in-1 product: silicone and a suspending agent. Silicone makes the formula conditioning, while the suspending agent keeps the silicone from separating out of the formula while it is in the bottle. Once massaged in the hair, the silicone separates out from the rest of the formula and stays behind on hair to provide conditioning.

Acidifiers - Hair products containing some form of acidic ingredient (pH balance of 2.5-3.5). Acidifiers create shine and elasticity without adding extra weight. These products work great on fine, textured hair.

Activator - Chemical ingredients added to hair products to speed up a specific process (i.e., curl activators, heat activators) without damaging the hair.

Active Ingredient - An ingredient of a product which is responsible for the desired action of that product.

Adrenal - This is the gland that helps determine certain types of hair growth.

Aerosol Can - Aerosol spray is the product of liquid under pressure in a can or bottle. The continuous spray is great for covering a large area of hair at one time.

Allergen - A substance that triggers an allergic reaction. Read labels carefully before purchasing hair products to avoid unwanted reactions.

Aloe Vera - A plant from which aloe gel is extracted. Aloe vera is added to many shampoos and conditioners for its moisturizing effects. These products are great for dry and damaged hair.

Alopecia - Medical term for hair loss. Generally referring to hair loss on the scalp.

Amino Acid - A chain of molecules which form a protein. Amino acids are found in hair and hair products and provide a protective coating on each individual strand of hair.

Anagen - One phase of the hair growth cycle, during this stage hair is actively growing.

Balancing Shampoo - A specially formulated shampoo that washes excess sebum from the hair and scalp, while preventing the hair from drying out.

Balm - A styling product applied to dry hair for added texture, definition and shine. Unlike hairspray and gel, hair balm does not harden or dry. It remains pliable for continuous styling all day long. Be careful not to use too much of this product, as this can result in a greasy look. Hair balm is also called glue, paste, pomade or wax.

Biodegradable Products - Products (or containers) capable of being broken down by bacteria and other organisms into stable products that will not harm the environment.

Body - Referring to the volume or fullness of hair. Some hair care products are formulated to give added body to hair.

Botanical Extract - Extracts from a plant or herb. Botanical extracts are added to many hair care products to provide additional scent and rejuvenation.

Castile Soap - A hard, odorless soap made from vegetable or olive oil. Castile soap is the primary ingredient in most homemade shampoo recipes.

Chemical Free - Products containing only natural ingredients (i.e., essential oils, botanical extracts). These products are great for people who may have allergies to synthetic ingredients (i.e., detergents, foaming agents).

Clarifying Shampoo - A shampoo product formulated to deep clean the hair by removing product residue (from sprays, gel, mousse) from the hair shaft.

Color Protection - Category of products formulated to extend the life of hair color by reducing fading.

Color Safe - Category of products safe for color-treated hair.

Color-Treated Products - Shampoos and conditioners formulated to extend the life of color-treated hair. These products contain gentle cleaners that help protect and preserve the color.

Conditoner - A hair product applied after shampooing which moisturizes and detangles the hair.

Damaged Hair - Unhealthy hair that is dry, frizzy or has noticeably split ends. Damage can be caused by an improper diet, texture of hair or the excessive use of styling products (i.e. color treatments, gel, spray, wax). Damage can be reversed with products such as hot oil treatments and deep conditioners.

Dandruff - Excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. Small amounts of flaking is quite common, but some individuals experience large amounts of flaking which may also be accompanied by scalp redness and irritation. If dandruff shampoos are unsuccessful, consider consulting a dermatologist.

De-tanglers - Products containing special conditioning agents which work at the cuticle layer of the hair to prevent tangles from developing. Some detanglers work instantly, while others work best after being massaged into the hair for a few minutes.

Deep Penetrating Treatment - A protein and vitamin rich conditioner meant for occasional use to moisturize dry, damaged hair.

Density - Number of hairs per square inch on the head (i.e., the denser the hair, the thicker the hair).

Dry Shampoo - A powder mix applied directly to dry hair and then combed out. Dry shampoos work by absorbing oils from the hair and scalp. Cornstarch, oatmeal and talcum powder are great examples of an effective dry shampoo.

Elasticity - The hair's ability to stretch and return to its original shape without breakage.

Essential Fatty Acids - EFAs - Essential acids are needed for hair growth. EFAs also help to preserve the resilience and flexibility hair. EFAs are found in many hair care products, as well as in foods such as fish, nuts and olives.

Essential Oils - Concentrated oils that have been extracted from plants through distillation (separation through boiling). Essential oils are found in many hair care products and work to stimulate hair growth, as well as provide fragrances to the products.

Finishing Spray - A hairspray with medium hold used on a finished style to maintain shape and hold.

Fringe - The shaped cutting of the front part of the hair which covers the forehead. More commonly referred to as "bangs."

Frizz - Dry, brittle hair due to lack of moisture. Hot oil treatments, regular conditioning and shampoos containing natural humectants will help to control frizzy hair.

Gel - A water-based styling product used for sculpting, hold and shine.

Glycerin - A natural humectant which absorbs moisture. As an ingredient in hair products, it softens and swells the hair shaft, allowing it to retain water.

Gray Hair - Hair that has lost its pigment. While the color looks gray, the hair shaft is actually transparent once it loses its pigment.

Hair Cortex - Inner-most part of the hair shaft. The cortex gives hair special qualities such as curl and elasticity.

Hair Cuticles - Outer-most part of the hair shaft. The cuticle provides a barrier around the hair shaft, protecting it from all forms of damage.

Hair Follicles - A tubular enfolding just below the surface of the skin containing the root of the hair.

Hair Loss Products - Shampoos and conditioners specially formulated to maintain a nutrient-rich environment capable of stimulating hair growth.

Hair Shaft - Part of the hair that can be seen above the scalp.

Hair Tonic - A petroleum-based styling product. The popularity of hair tonics has decreased with the development of pomades, waxes and pastes.

Haircare - The act of shampooing, conditioning and cutting hair regularly in order to maintain healthy looking hair.

Hairspray - A styling product containing elastesse ("liquid elastic") which is used to hold hair styles for a long period of time. Hairsprays range from light hold to strong or maximum hold.

Highlighting Shampoo - Shampoos containing hair color enhancements from vegetable dyes. Highlighting shampoos tone the hair and work to highlight or add depth to hair color.

Hot Oil Treatment - A process to help condition and treat damaged hair by heating up oil and applying directly to the hair. Hot oils temporarily repair damage brought on by styling products, blow drying and curling/straightening irons.

Humectant - A substance which retains moisture. Humectants are added to hair products to moisturize and prevent drying.

Humidity Performance - Term used for the extent to which a styling product can protect hair from environmental humidity.

Ionic Technology - Process where water molecules are broken down by ions into smaller droplets, allowing the hair to absorb moisture more easily. Ionic technology is often used in flat irons and straightening irons.

Jojoba Oil - Liquid wax that is extracted from jojoba seeds. These oils are very similar to human sebum and are added to hair care products as a moisturizer.

Keratin - A fibrous protein found in hair. The layer of keratin found on each strand prevents hair from cracking and splitting.

Lavender - An oil or extract found in many shampoos and conditioners. Lavender stimulates hair growth, replenishes the hair and scalp, balances oil production and provides a soothing scent to the product.

Leave-in Conditioner - A conditioner which does not need to be rinsed out of the hair after application. These products work great to moisturize and control frizz.

Moisturizing - The process of retaining liquid in the hair to prevent it from drying out. Many shampoos and conditioners are formulated with ingredients (i.e. humectants, extracts, oils) to specifically promote moisturization.

Mousse - A styling product dispensed in an aerosol foam spray. Mousse adds volume, controls frizz and provides moderate styling control.

Natural Ingredients - Ingredients extracted from plants, earth minerals or animal products, as opposed to ingredients which are synthetically produced.

Nettles - An herb rich in Vitamins A and C which can stimulate hair growth.

Organic Shampoo - Shampoos containing only natural, non-synthetic ingredients.

Panthenol - A derivative of Vitamin B5. In hair products, it works to coat and seal the hair, making the strands look shiny.

Perm/Permanent - A chemical treatment used to make hair wavy or curly for an extended period of time (i.e., several months).

Petrosage - A scalp massaging technique used to stimulate blood flow to promote healthy hair and scalp.

pH Balance - Potential Hydrogen - measures the acidity or basicity of a solution. Solutions with a pH level less than 7 are acidic and those with a pH level greater than 7 are basic. Acids will harden the hair while basics will expand and soften the hair. Because of this, many shampoos and conditioners are pH balanced (pH level 4-6) to match the natural pH level of the hair and skin.

Pomade - A styling product applied to dry hair for added texture, definition and shine. Unlike hairspray and gel, pomade does not harden or dry. It remains pliable for continuous styling all day long. Be careful not to use too much of this product, as this can result in a greasy look. Pomade is also called balm, glue, paste or wax.

Relaxer - A cream or lotion used to straighten hair. Hair relaxers usually contain a strong alkali to chemically straighten curly or wavy hair.

Root - The area of hair at the base of the hair follicle, just below the scalp.

Root Lifter - Hair product applied to the root area of the hair (i.e., scalp) to add extra lift/volume.

Rosemary - An herb used in some hair care products to stimulate hair growth and prevent dandruff.

Scalp - The skin on the head from which hair grows. The scalp is greatly supplied with blood vessels.

Scrunching - Technique used to enhance existing waves and curls. To scrunch hair, place a small amount of mousse or gel in to the palm of the hand and rub together. Gather a section of hair at the tips and scrunch upwards toward the scalp (like crumpling up a piece of paper). Hold for a few seconds and then release. As a finisher, use a medium hold hairspray to maintain the curls all day long.

Sebum - Natural oil secreted from the sebaceous glands in the skin. Sebum moisturizes hair and skin and protects it from drying out.

Shampoo - Any of various liquids or creams specially formulated to cleanse the hair and scalp.

Silicone - Conditioning agent found in many 2-in-1 products, serums and sprays.

Split End - Splitting of the hair at the end of the strand due to stress from excessive heat or chemical exposure from hair products. The only way to fix or avoid split ends is to have hair trimmed regularly.

Strengthening Shampoo - Shampoo formulated with fortifying agents to strengthen hair and protect it from breakage.

Stripping - Process of removing unwanted hair color using various types of bleaching agents. Because hair stripping is hard on the hair, it is recommended to deeply condition the hair after this process is performed.

Styling - The act of creating a specific hairstyle or look.

Styling Foam - Gaseous bubbles in a liquid or solid form coming from an aerosol can that dissolve when applied to the hair. Foam products are used for styling, frizz control and shine.

Tea Tree Oil - Oil extracted from the Melaleuca tree. Tea tree oils are found in some hair products and have been shown to reduce the symptoms of dandruff.

Texture - Referring to a specific type of hair: fine, medium or coarse.

Thermal Protector - Sprays specially formulated with heat absorbing polymers to protect the hair from damage. Thermal protectors are applied to the hair prior to using blow dryers and other heat-activated styling tools to prevent heat damage.

Volumizing Shampoo - Shampoos containing substantial amounts of protein in them for added lift, thickness and volume.

Wax - A styling product applied to dry hair for added texture, definition and shine. Unlike hairspray and gel, hair wax does not harden or dry. It remains pliable for continuous styling all day long. Be careful not to use too much of this product, as this can result in a greasy look. Hair wax is also called balm, glue, paste or pomade.