The latest generation of shampoos, designed for dry hair, can include essential oils such as petrolatum as well as the surfactant systems described above. They are orientated toward those with hair of African origin or hair that is excessively dry. They leave the hair feeling moisturized and easy to comb. These products are also designed to help weathered and colored hair.
Originally there were no shampoos specifically designed for African hair. The prevailing belief was that a shampoo was a shampoo, and that anything available in the general market could be used for all hair types. However, African hair benefits from shampoos that contain mild cleansing agents (detergents) that help detangle the hair and are pH balanced in the range of 4.5–5.5. Shampoos formulated for other hair types may not help to detangle hair sufficiently, contributing to combing damage. Variants for African hair can be purchased in North America and Southern Africa.
