Chapter 15 497 Shampoos clean sebum, soil, and residual product deposits from the hair surface, which subsequently mediates visual and sensorial negatives. The build-up of such materials results in a coated, oily feel, while also potentially weighing down the hair and dulling the appearance. Therefore, simple cleaning legitimately leads to benefits relating to shine, volume and body. Furthermore, it is not a stretch to envisage how consumers may extrapolate this benefit into descriptions of hair being “healthy,” “vibrant,” or possibly “in better condition.” Therefore, shampoo products often feature long lists of benefits, although all stem from the underlying ability to clean hair. Similarly, the purpose of conditioners is primarily to deposit lubricating materials on the fiber surfaces to aid with manageability and feel issues. The structure of hair is under constant bombardment from the wear and tear accompanying everyday consumer habits and practices. As such, over time there will be progressive degradation and a commensurate increase in sensorial and management issues. It is easy to envisage how an eroding cuticle structure (see Figure 1) will result in a course, rough feel, while also increasing the incidence of snagging and knotting between fibers. It is also evident how surface lubrication can aid in mediating both occurrences. Again, it is not a stretch to see how this lubrication also provides a degree of “protection” through reducing abrasive forces during mechanical manipulations. Furthermore, any ability to slow down structural degradation will leave hair in a less damaged state, with a reduced tendency for breakage. It may also be argued that Figure 1. Scanning electron microscopy images of degrading hair cuticle