Head & Shoulders

Head & Shoulders is a brand of anti-dandruff shampoo produced by Procter & Gamble. Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo is the top selling shampoo in the United States by Dollar Sales.

History

Procter & Gamble researchers first decided on making a new anti-dandruff shampoo in 1950, when massive public opinion made it clear that the current products on the market were not helping their scalp problems. Nearly a decade of research went into making a new formula, which introduced the product pyrithione zinc into a shampoo for the first time.

Head & Shoulders was first introduced to the U.S. market in November 1961, as a blue-green shampoo formula. Unlike other shampoos, Head & Shoulders had relatively few variations until the late 1990s and early 2000s, and there are now in excess of ten different kinds of shampoo for different hair types under the Head & Shoulders banner. It has since then grown into a billion dollar brand.

A study conducted by University Medical Center Sart Tilman (Belgium) comparing the efficacy of the active ingredient in Head & Shoulders (zinc pyrithione) versus the active ingredient in Nizoral (ketoconazole) found that "Ketoconazole [Nizoral] 2% shampoo was significantly superior to zinc pyrithione [Head & Shoulders] 1% shampoo in the treatment of subjects with severe dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp". (Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 2002 Nov-Dec;15(6):434-41.)

The brand's "Extra Strength" product had a cameo role in the 2001 film Evolution, where its startling copper orange color was shown. Head and Shoulders' original ocean blue formulation is more widely recognized.

Accolades

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo is the #1 selling Shampoo in the United States by Dollar Sales. (AC Nielsen FD+ / 52wks Ending 11/24/2007)

Head & Shoulders can also claim the TOP FIVE selling individual Shampoo Category SKUs in the United States by Dollar Sales. (AC Nielsen FD+ / 52wks Ending 11/24/2007)

Head & Shoulders can also claim 10 of the top 30 selling individual Shampoo Category SKUs in the United States by Dollar Sales. (AC Nielsen FD+ / 52wks Ending 11/24/2007)

Head & Shoulders has enjoyed 26 consecutive weeks of both $ and VOL consumption growth in the United States. (AC Nielsen FD+ / 26wks Ending 11/24/2007)

Product list

• Classic Clean Shampoo / Classic Clean 2n1
• Dry Scalp Shampoo / Dry Scalp 2n1
• Ocean Lift Shampoo / Ocean Lift 2n1
• Smooth & Silky Shampoo / Smooth & Silky 2n1
• Restoring Shine / Restoring Shine 2n1
• Refresh Shampoo / Refresh 2n1
• Sensitive Care Shampoo / Sensitive Care 2n1
• Extra Volume / Extra Volume 2n1
• Citrus Breeze / Citrus Breeze 2n1
• Intensive Treatment Shampoo (1% selenium sulfide)
• Intensive Solutions Shampoo (2% pyrithione zinc)
• Classic Clean Conditioner
• Dry Scalp Conditioner

Trivia

• "Head and Shoulders" was one of F. Scott Fitzgerald's earliest stories; bought by The Saturday Evening Post in 1919. His father was fired from Proctor and Gamble during his childhood.
• Head and Shoulders is also thought to be able to fight acne vulgaris, because of its main ingredient, Pyrithione Zinc (1%).

External links