Arkansas Barber Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of a shampoo?

1. To enhance hair color

2. To cleanse the hair and scalp

3. To condition the hair

4. To style the hair

The correct answer is: To cleanse the hair and scalp

The primary purpose of a shampoo is to cleanse the hair and scalp. Shampoo is specifically formulated to remove dirt, oil, and product build-up from both the hair strands and the scalp, promoting a clean and healthy environment for hair growth. This cleansing action is essential for maintaining scalp hygiene, which can prevent issues like dandruff and itching. While enhancing hair color, conditioning, and styling are important aspects of hair care, they are secondary functions that often require additional products. Shampoo focuses exclusively on the cleansing aspect, making it the foundational step in any hair washing routine. Therefore, when considering the primary purpose of shampoo, cleansing the hair and scalp stands out as the most accurate description of its function.