DADMAC stands for Diallyldimethylammonium Chloride, which is a quaternary ammonium compound. It's a synthetic chemical substance commonly used in the production of water treatment chemicals and personal care products.
In the context of personal care and cosmetics, DADMAC is a cationic monomer that can be polymerized to form Polyquaternium-6, an important ingredient in hair care formulations. The polymerization process involves linking multiple units of DADMAC together to create a water-soluble, positively charged polymer.
This polymer, Polyquaternium-6, is known for its conditioning properties due to the presence of quaternary ammonium groups within its structure. In hair care products, it helps improve wet and dry combing by reducing static electricity and providing improved manageability, detangling, and smoothing effects on hair strands. Additionally, it can contribute to the formulation stability and serve as a mild styling aid due to its ability to form a film on the hair surface.