MadSci Network: Chemistry |
You voyage to your local supermarket, you tread the hair aisle, you pick up each bottle in turn and... read the contents. Write down the patent numbers and use the patent search engines at my Web page Patent Search Typical composition is mostly water, a water-soluble polymer (hydroxypropyl cellulose, poly(vinyl pyrrolidinone), poly(vinyl alcohol)), and a sugar alcohol (sorbitol) as humectant and plasticizer for the stiff residue that remains on your hair. One is reminded of Cosmos Brand "Kimchi," whose label features the big bold sidebar message "it is safe to eat." I think Velveeta is missing an advertsing coup, likewise Dep. Hair gel is a kissing cousin to wall paper adhesive. Look in the Merck Index for ingredient technical readout. The various manufacturers have Web pages for their products, Google! Uncle Al!
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.