The first hair care products (HCP) used in the world were the brush and comb, to keep hair tidy. The inventor is said to have been Lydia O Newman who created the first hairbrush in 1865. The HCP range has been expanding ever since the invention of the brush and comb. HCPs, such as hairspray, hair loss products (=HL) and hair dyes, are developed to meet the styling and care needs of hair, especially women’s hair, as women become care about their HCP more than anyone. Women also use more HCP than men. Therefore, the HCP market is totally aimed at women.
Another key figure behind the invention of hair care products is Mrs. CJ Walker, an inventor and entrepreneur. She was the pioneer behind the products for HL. The main reason for inventing products for HL started when she experienced HL herself. She suffered from a scalp condition that caused her to gradually lose hair and naturally, she sought out many HL products to treat the condition. She experimented with many HCPs and HL products, but sadly there was no cure for her at the time.
Later, she worked as a sales agent for hair growth products. Later, she realized that there was potential to market the HL products, especially to black women, so she started her own line of HCP and marketed the HL products with the help of her husband. Among the HCPs invented by Madam CJ Walker was the Wonderful Hair Grower. It is a hair conditioner that is used with a hot comb.
To promote her hair care products, especially products for HL, she talked to people and gave free demos and samples to women, so they could experience the magic like her. He had a larger vision: to expand his HCP to a higher level, so he opened a college dedicated to researching HCP and hair loss products, known as Lelia College in 1908. The college also served as a platform to educate more young people. about the importance of HCP and develop more products for HL for the market according to the needs of the community.
When he passed away he left his legacy of HCP, especially products for HL, to be improved by the younger generation, so there will be even more effective HCP and hair loss products.