How does it work?

I love talking about HAIR and coming up with all kinds of recipes to treat anything from hair loss, to shine, to covering up that stubborn grey hair! I was a cosmotologist and I love, love, love HAIR!

Today, I want to discuss how shampoos work and cleansing the hair. Although not as facinating as other topics, the basics will help you understand how you actually cleanse the hair! Enjoy!


Shampoos work to cleanse the hair and scalp. All shampoos have a base surfactant – meaning ‘surface active agent'. Surfactants are the essential cleaning substances in shampoos. Oils, like sebum, your scalp's natural oils, do not mix with water, the water needs an addition to make the oily matters soluble. Surfactants are the ‘power ingredients' that do this.

When your shampoo is mixed with water it creates what we call “lather”. Please understand the amount of lather DOES NOT reflect the cleaning power of the shampoo. For some, it gives the impression the hair is clean. Its an indicator that it spread through the hair and upon rinsing, it shows us that we rinsed well. Sorry we couldn't’t give you a more technical and elaborate response, but it truly is that simple.

Surfactants are what actually cleanse the hair, but the surfactant alone doesn’t create the lather. Surfactants loosen, lift and remove the dirt, excessive amounts of called sebum. When you rinse your shampoo from your hair, the dirt particles are removed together with the lather.

Establishing healthy hair and scalp requires effort. Its wise to brush your hair gently before cleansing the hair. Brushing stimulated the hair follicle and loosen dirt/oils on the scalp. Your hairbrush should be made from man-made materials. While cleansing the hair massage the scalp and always ensure the shampoo covers the entire head of hair – from the root to the scalp. Always rinse thoroughly. Shampoo not rinsed from the hair will leave hair feeling and looking dull and lifeless, thereby, attracting more dirt. Its only necessary to wash the hair once, however, all cosmetologist are taught to wash the hair at least twice for the sake of the patron and not knowing the time span between shampoos. Towel dry the hair, but avoid rubbing, pulling or wringing wet hair. Wet hair loses its resilience/toughness, hence making it more prone to snapping and breakage.

Order your products online by visiting our website. http://www.subtle-essence.com/ or e-mail us at contact@subtle-essence.com . We also have a table set up at 4193 Minnesota Ave, NE, Washington, DC where you can purchase products and/or sample every Saturday.You can also host your own Subtle Party where you may receive product demonstrations and learn more about health skin and hair. E-mail us at contact@subtle-essence.com for more information.