ABSTRACT
Throughout history, hair has always been an important element of personal adornment. From the beautifully regular beard curls of the Assyrian kings to the elegant haircuts of Egyptian pharaohs to the carefully coiffured wigs of the European nobility, hair has been shown, admired, and envied. Over the years, what had been the privilege of the affluent few has become an almost consuming passion of many. The explosive growth of the haircare market since the middle of the 20th century is the result of deep, socioeconomic changes combined with an increasing focus on personal aesthetics, assisted by affordability of products. The attempt to satisfy the genuine needs of the consumer and the drive for competitive advantage among marketers has led to a variety of grooming aids and products, such as shampoos to cleanse the hair, hair conditioners to make it soft and combable, hair colorants and permanent waves to impart the hair the properties that it does not have, and hair sprays to keep hair in the desired style. Hair products are in the cosmetic category and, as such, are subject to all laws and regulations that control the labeling and claims of all cosmetic products.
