Our society considers hair to be a symbol of beauty, health and vitality. We stereotype people on the basis of hair color - blondes ''have more fun'', redheads are hot-tempered, and brunettes are steady and dependable, while people with gray hair have wisdom. The eyes may be the ''windows to the soul'', but hair is one's ''crowning glory''.
 
The Appearance of Your Hair Affects Social Success
The need for attractive hair is not merely a matter of vanity and concern for appearances. The look of one's hair has an impact on one's social success and psychological well-being.

Clean, shiny hair is one of the basic steps toward having beautiful, healthy-looking hair. Hairspray, dust, exhaust from cars, smog, cigarette smoke, etc., cling to hair. Cleansing removes this coating and its unpleasant odors.
                    
How do you Choose a Shampoo that will Clean but not Damage?
But how does one choose a shampoo that will clean thoroughly without damaging the hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and flyaway? The key is the ingredients used.

Shampoos are formulated from three basic types of ingredients:

• water
• surfactants (cleansing agents)
• conditioning ingredients

Water serves as the base for the shampoo and makes it easier to remove from the hair by rinsing with water. This is important because residues from shampoo can coat the hair shaft, making hair limp and difficult to style.

A surfactant (short for ''surface active agent'') is comprised of the soaps or detergents used to do the actual cleaning of the hair. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a detergent that is commonly used in shampoos. Avoid it - it has the highest irritation potential (in fact, it is the base against which all other surfactants are measured for irritation potential).

The Major Difference among Shampoos is in their Conditioning Substances
Conditioning substances generally include:

• proteins
• emollients
• substances to neutralize the static electricity in hair
• herbal and other ingredients (for example, plant oils and vitamins) that ''nourish'' the hair

These account for the major differences among shampoos.

Protein is desirable because it melds with the protein in the hair and strengthens it. In the past, animal proteins were most commonly used, but since the animal rights movement has gained strength, many companies have switched to equally effective vegetable proteins.

Emollients come from both synthetic and natural sources. They soften and soothe surface tissues, and seal in the moisture which keeps hair soft and supple.

After washing, hair becomes negatively charged. Ingredients such as lecithin or betaine are very effective at reducing static by neutralizing the negative charge with a positive charge and do not have the potentially toxic effects that other, more commonly used, synthetic compounds have.

Herbs are added to increase the desired effects of a particular shampoo (for example, for damaged hair, for oily hair, for dandruff). One should check to make sure that these have been tested for freedom from radiation, pollutants, and toxic substances. The following are some of the most desirable herbs for shampoos:

• Balm - stimulates healthy hair growth. Soothes.
• Betaine - conditions. Neutralizes negatively-charged hair so that it is not unkempt or flyaway.
• Birch - antispetic. Astringent.
• Chamomile - anti-inflammatory. Kills bacteria. Neutralizes irritants. Strengthens tissues.
• Clover - emollient and bactericide.
• Coltsfoot - soothes delicate, easily-inflamed skin.
• Fennel - calming. Antiseptic.
• Henna - gives hair shine. Smoothes the hair shaft. Untangles hair.
• Hops - softens. Promotes healthy cell growth. A natural preservative.
• Horsetail - stimulates growth and combats dandruff.
• Mistletoe - stimulates the immune system.
• Nettle - counter-irritant. Calms. Stimulates metabolism.
• Panthenol - protects the hair. Makes hair flexible vs. brittle.
• Rosemary - conditions. Stimulates circulation of blood to the scalp.
• Yarrow - anti-inflammatory. Antiseptic. Stimulates growth, fights dandruff and unhealthy scalp conditions.

One final note: to help preserve the environment, one should look for hair care products that are completely biodegradable in a short period of time and that are packaged in biodegradable containers.