The use of silicone-containing products in cosmetology

Hair needs many trace elements for normal growth and beautiful appearance. One of these substances is silicon. Silicon is the second most abundant after oxygen, playing an important role in the body. It is part of the components of connective tissue (collagen, elastin, mucopolysaccharides), maintains the elasticity of the vascular wall at the cell level, strengthens the immune system, and is also part of the musculoskeletal system in humans and animals..

Silicon enters the body with food. Normally, this is about 1 g. But the body absorbs only 4% of silicon. So, the daily norm of silicon is 5-20 mg.

 Manifestations of deficiency and excess of silicon in the body.

With silicon deficiency, the connective tissue of the musculoskeletal and bronchopulmonary systems is weakened. This is manifested by pain in the joints after exercise, the development of emphysema, which is manifested by shortness of breath. There are frequent fractures due to osteoporosis, which progresses with weakness of the bone tissue. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (inflammation, erosion) also develop. The most noticeable symptom of silicon deficiency is hair loss and breakage.

When the body is oversaturated with silicon, diseases such as urolithiasis, neoplasms in the pleura and abdominal cavity develop, and fibrosis of the lung tissue develops.

Silicon is contained in such products: cereals - unpolished rice, oats, millet, barley. Also found in seaweed, berries and dried fruits, meat and offal.

Silicones. Properties and applications of silicones in cosmetology

     Silicones are synthetic substances based on silicon molecules. Silicones have many beneficial properties for hair. For example, they protect against thermal and chemical damage. The use of silicones gives a velvety look to the hair, a feeling of smoothness and radiance.

 Silicones prevent excessive loss of moisture or its excessive absorption  Silicones have a binding and smoothing effect, which is why they are used to restore the lipid balance of the skin in skin and body lotions.

The use of silicones is justified for household purposes and construction, in cooking and in medicine. For medical purposes, silicone is used in plastic surgery, cosmetology and aesthetics. There are two types of silicon used in cosmetics - organic and inorganic.

 Inorganic silicon is represented by silica gels, silicon dioxide, silicic acid and silicates. The use of inorganic silicon silicones has made it easier to create skin care products.

1. Silica gel. This is a dried gel that is formed from solutions of silicic acids. Silica gel granules have a large surface area, spherical shape, are a catalyst, an adsorbent. Used as a dehumidifier in industrial applications.
2. Silicon dioxide is colorless crystals that have adsorbing properties. Silicon dioxide does not react with water, has abrasive properties, due to which it is used in scrubs.
3. Silicic acid is formed by the action of strong acids on soluble sodium or potassium silicates, by ion exchange and by electrodialysis. Silicic acid is used as an adsorbent.
4. Silicates are salts of silicic acids that appear when they are heated and alkalis are added to them. They are part of ointments, powders and anti-acidity products. Silicates coated with iron oxide and titanium dioxide have found their way into make-up products.

This use of silicone has become popular and it is hard to imagine some industries without silicone.

Groups and types of silicones used in cosmetology

Silicone is a polyorganic monomer. Silicones are divided into dimethicone, cyclomethicone and methicone.

• Dimethicones. These substances are used to improve the combing of wet hair, the care of dyed hair. Dimethicones with high molecular weight are used for the manufacture of creams as a fatty base. These substances increase the resistance of dyed hair to UV radiation.
• Cyclomethicones are cyclic silicones. They are used in decorative cosmetics (hair and nail polishes, lipstick, deodorants, UV protection). Also, cyclomethicones straighten hair and give it a beautiful shine, as well as improve the process of combing dry and wet hair.

Groups of silicones used in hair care products

1. Hydrophilic - completely washable with water and used in shampoos.
2. Volatile – found in deodorants, aerosols, mousses, sprays, UV protection products. They have a protective effect on the hair and make combing easier.
3. Lipophilic - wash off only with detergents and are used in combined 2 in 1 shampoos and conditioners.
4. Aminofunctional – are used in products for the care of dyed and uncolored hair, in conditioners and have a pronounced restorative effect.
5. High polymer – used to make hair serums. They are highly resistant and can be washed off with professional detergents.

When using silicones, you need to know the rules for their use.

Some rules and disadvantages of using silicones

    Silicones are tropic to the keratin of the hair shafts, and more to intact hair. Amino acids have a tropism for damaged, that is, dyed hair. Amino acids scatter the light falling on the hair, resulting in a reduction in the intensity of the shine of the hair. When using silicones, the hair becomes heavier due to its accumulation on the hair after washing with conditioner.

Therefore, silicone-containing products should be applied to the hair not from the roots, but two-thirds of the length. This will protect the damaged parts of the hair shaft and prevent the buildup of silicone. You also need to use silicone-containing products with a sense of proportion. It is important to regularly cleanse the scalp and hair with shampoo and not get carried away with – hair washing (washing your hair with one balm without shampoo, which does not contain silicones).

Silicone for hair. Rules for the use of hair silicones

The advantages of using silicones for hair are protection from UV radiation, facilitating combing, preventing injury to the hair shafts when combing, and the affinity of silicones to damaged parts of the hair.

Hair care product should be selected individually for each person. This selection is carried out taking into account the condition and structure of the hair, the frequency and regularity of shampooing and dyeing. The use of silicones should be tailored to diseases of the scalp or hair. It is important to avoid uncontrolled intake of silicone-containing products.

   The use of silicones is justified in order to make the hair smooth and shiny, to facilitate the process of washing and combing the hair. Hair silicones should also be used to prevent moisture loss from the hair.