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Beauty 911

You ask. Experts answer your beauty questions
By Denise Wild

Q. Are two-in one shampoo and conditioners effective on long hair?
Nicole Plishka, Vancouver, winner of May's Christian Dior prize

A. Two-in-ones have an emollient that foams and a conditioning agent, whereas most shampoos don't have any conditioning factor and separate conditioners aren't effective cleansers. Two-in-ones are formulated so that the conditioning part is washed off the scalp and deposited on the hair shaft only where the cuticle is damaged. A two-in-one will work for long hair but, if the hair is very dry or damaged, you might need a separate conditioner. When selecting products for your hair, look at two things: scalp type and hair type. If their qualities are vastly different, use separate products in order to target each specific problem. Otherwise, a two-in-one has a detergent that cleanses just as effectively as a regular shampoo and a conditioner that is put right where it's needed.

Dr. David H. Kingsley, trichologist, British Science Corporation, New York (888-980-4700).