Final answer:
Salon professionals use emulsions classified as oil-in-water or water-in-oil, stabilized by emulsifying agents that include soaps, detergents, and natural proteins, which are selected for their desired cosmetic properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Salon professionals typically use emulsions that are classified as either oil-in-water (O/W) or water-in-oil (W/O). These classifications are based on the phase (oil or water) that is dispersed and the phase that constitutes the continuous external matrix. Emulsions are stabilized by emulsifying agents that possess both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) properties. These agents are crucial because they prevent the dispersed phase from coalescing and separating from the continuous phase.
Common examples of emulsifying agents used in salons include various types of soaps and detergents. Soaps are typically salts of long-chain carboxylic acids, such as sodium stearate, while detergents might include compounds like sodium dodecyl sulfate. Other emulsifying agents used in cosmetic products are proteins like casein in milk or lecithins in egg yolk, as seen in mayonnaise.
Salon products such as creams and lotions are often emulsions, where the choice between O/W or W/O depends on the desired cosmetic qualities, such as feel (greasy or non-greasy), ease of washing off, and moisturizing effect. In summary, emulsions used by salon professionals are carefully crafted systems designed to deliver desirable properties for personal care and beauty treatments.