Hair gel

From ArticleWorld

Hair gel is a hair styling product that is used to keep hair hardened into a specific hairstyle.

Terminology

Hair gel is typically stronger than a hair spray but weaker than a hair glue.

There are a variety of popular hair gel products made for a variety of uses (men and women, etc.). In the United States, DEP is one very popular brand. They can be purchased at a variety of stores (like drug stores or grocery stores). Or, a more expensive variety of gels may be purchased at a salon or through one’s hairdresser.

Properties

Many hair gels contain polyelectrolyte polymers. These polymers are charged with a high number of positively charged groups, which are often polyvinylpyrrolidone. The charges in these polymers result in the polymer stretching out, which makes the gel more viscous. This is because the stretched polymer takes more space than a coiled one. This also enables it to resist the flow of solvents around it (like water).

It commonly consists of:

• Water, which accounts for most of the mass in hair gel.
• A water-soluble polymer. These are usually a cationic polyelectrolyte (polyvinylpyrrolidone, for example). It binds to the hair.
• A humectant.
• A plasticizer, which is usually water soluble (like sorbitol, a sugar alcohol).

Uses

Gels often contain a number on their packaging. This number indicates the strength of hold that they offer. For example, a high number hair gel typically offers more hold (and makes the hair stiffer). A low numbered hair gel, on the other hand, typically offers less hold and allows the hair to remain softer. Some gels also allow for a temporary change in hair color (usually in exotic or unnatural colors).