I have got the biggest head (area-wise) in the whole family, which gives ample licence to my sis to call me ‘loghead’. Even my barber says “Your hair takes so long to chop—kitna bada sir hai!!” For a moment I think “Atleast I have more stuff inside my skull than you do!” Coming back to the topic, I think, you better start reading:
WHAT IS HEAD AND SHOULDERS?
I think the whole world knows this answer. But still, Head and Shoulders is an anti-dandruff shampoo manufactured under the umbrella of Procter and Gamble worldwide. The reason behind its popularity is the effectiveness with which it works. That’s all!
MENTHOL---ANYTHING SPECIAL?
Ah yes!! I love mint. I actually love its aroma. And this H & S has loads of it. On top of that, it’s the after-bath cooling effect that makes it so special. They say they add natural menthol to the shampoo, though I haven’t been to any of their plants, so no comments!!
HATE THAT NAME!!
Head and Shoulders...why did they keep this name? This question haunted me for a full three years when I was 8-10 years after which I eventually gave up finding any answer to it. Actually, I made a compromise. Every time I went for a bath, I poured some shampoo and rinsed my head. After I got some froth, I used to rub it on my shoulders, and thought, maybe this is what they wanted every bather to do...Rub on the head, and then rub on the shoulder.
After some maturity dawned on me (yawn!), another answer popped up, but this time it made sense. I thought shoulders are the first place where the flakes of dandruff found their home, after they get abandoned by the head..so there!!
WHY HEAD AND SHOULDERS?
Dandruff is the buzzword here. One of the most common problems which affects everyone from pups to humans. Its not a disease, but a phase through which every head in this world passes (sigh!). It occurs when the scalp becomes dry, starts itching and sheds off some skin in the form of tiny little flakes which find their way straight onto the shoulders. And yes, dandruff hates black and dark coloured clothes. The moment it sees them, it tries to cover them with its whiteness, which, ahem, ahem does get you some sniggers and crouched noses!!
Since time immemorial, our family has been using Head and Shoulders. Though I remember it being officially launched in late 1997, I have been applying it since I have gained some memory. Earlier, Mom used to buy the imported shampoo bottles with long slender necks and a broad bottom. Actually they looked better than today’s plain-jane block styling. And seriously, I have never ever tried to oppose my Mom when in a superstore. Because the only answer I get is : “Look who’s talking—a boy with porcupine-sized thorns on head.” I got this Head and Shoulders Menthol shampoo as a sachet with our favourite film magazine Filmfare, and that’s when my addiction to the shampoo started.
HOW DOES THIS SHAMPOO WORK?
They say Head and Shoulders work by destroying the root cause of dandruff. Although causes for dandruff are aplenty, one of the known causes is a fungus called Malassezia. It's a natural fungus found on everyone's scalp that feeds on the skin's natural oils. It can cause irritation and speed up the shedding of dead skin. Everyone's tolerance to Malassezia varies; the lower it is for you, the more likely you are to have dandruff.
I think Head and Shoulders is extremely effective and the idea behind killing the fungus is quite good. Though its not necessary that Malassezia is the only cause behind dandruff. Dandruff can occur by hormonal imbalances in the body, stress, weather of the individual’s residing place and the diet he/she takes. And then there’s a more serious condition called seborrheic dermatitis where flaking is heavy, itchiness is severe and usually the scalp becomes inflamed. So, its not that Head and Shoulders is the key to eliminate every kind of dandruff, but yes, it does cleans the head if your scalp is infected by Malassezia, which is 8 out of 10 times.
WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN?
Besides menthol, there’s Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate, Ammonium Laureth Sulphate, sodium chloride, zinc pyrithione, cetyl alcohol and parfum amongst a host of others which you can note down from the bottle of H & S. And please don’t expect any herbal infusions—its pure next generation chemical-filled greenish-white gooey stuff.
A point to note here is that though, H & S claims to have a gentle pH value, and has recommended the shampoo for daily usage, I think its better to use it every alternate day, if you want to keep your hair silky smooth. I have noticed that too much usage takes away the general sheen of your hair making them more of a bundle of bushes.
RATING THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS
Can a shampoo be rated? Don’t know, but I’ll give it a try:
Looks: So plain jane, but generally well-designed with click on tops.
Fragrance: Comes in 3 fragrances in India—Classic Clean, Silky Smooth and Menthol. Though nothing separates the first two, Menthol’s scent is simply out of this world!!
Power: Its promise to leave your head speck and clean is well kept.
Price: Not really expensive (don’t remember about the Indian prices—I think it costed Rs.100 for 250 ml) and on par with the competitors.
SUMMING UP....
Head and Shoulders remains one of the best dandruff-fighters in the world, and particularly its effect on eliminating dandruff is long-lasting and impressive. The menthol flavour, oops, I mean fragrance is really refreshing and lives up to its name. Now, before signing off, here are some tips and advices relating to H & S:
•Head and Shoulders can only treat mild dandruff, and if you are really suffering from heavy flaking, see your nearby doctor or chemist and better still, go in for medicated dandruff stuff like Johnson’s & Johnson’s Nizoral.
•Using Head and Shoulders alone won’t do any good to your hair, as the shampoo’s conditioning properties are highly doubtful, and regular usage does take away the shine of your tresses. So, use a conditioner at least once a week, drink plenty of water (to keep your scalp and skin moist and preventing from flaking) and avoid stress (a root cause to practically every disease invented!)
•Now for a deadly tip: For a refreshing head-wash in summer, always keep the H & S menthol in your fridge and when taking a shower, pour some over your hot head...the cool feeling you’ll get will last for hours, and will rejuvenate you no end..
That’s it for now...hope you have a refreshing and an invigorating icy shower tomorrow morning with H & S menthol, of course...
...Do leave a comment if time permits....
© Karan 2003
