SHAMPOO SCIENCE
What chemical processes occur within the foaming lather of shampoo?
WORDS AILSA HARVEY
© Getty / Alamy / Illustration by Adrian Mann
Leaving hair unwashed for multiple days can cause it to feel heavy and greasy. This is because the scalp is continuously producing a natural oil called sebum. Without this sebum shield, the proteins within our hair would become damaged more easily. When there is a build-up of this oil and our hair is in need of a wash, water alone can’t remove it very effectively.