Silicone for hair: harm or good

Almost every one of us knows that with the help of silicone you can correct the figure, but few people know that silicone is used in various cosmetic products, including hair care. Let's try to figure out whether this substance is harmful or good for our hair?

Why is silicone used in cosmetics?

Silicone – it is a chemical compound with a very high resistance to temperature fluctuations and resistance to deformation. Silicone does not degrade over time, does not oxidize, and does not dissolve in water. The peculiarity of silicone is that its molecules are biologically compatible with the cells of the human body, but at the same time they are large enough not to be able to penetrate into tissues and organs. Therefore, silicone does not cause allergies, skin irritation and diseases of internal organs.

Scientists managed to synthesize silicones with different properties, in 1961. Americans got liquid silicone, and since then it has been actively used in the cosmetics industry, especially in the manufacture of hair care products and the creation of decorative cosmetics. Thanks to its chemical properties, silicone creates a protective film on the hair, glues split ends, fixes the hairstyle and gives the hair an attractive shine.

More silicone – good and different!

The most common cosmetic products containing silicones are shampoos and hair care products. Silicones are divided into several groups depending on their properties.

Dimethicones – silicone oils that form a protective film on each hair, thereby restoring the balance of moisture and nutrients. They make hair shiny and easy to comb. They are most often used in the manufacture of medical cosmetics for hair, rinses, combined products such as "2 in 1". Silicone oils are insoluble in water, so with frequent use, they can accumulate in the hair and can only be washed off with clarifying shampoos.

Polyoldimethicones – water-soluble silicones that provide the effect of smooth, manageable hair. Most often, they are part of shampoos, as they are able to create persistent bulky foam. The positive feature of water-soluble silicones is that they are completely washed off with water and do not deposit on the hair.

Amodimeticones (aminofunctional silicones) – have conditioning and regenerating properties, help fix and preserve the color of dyed hair, clog the scales of damaged hair.

Encapsulated Silicones – make styling easier, are used for additional conditioning, protect hair from heat styling and temperature changes, and reduce drying time.

Dimethicone laurate succinoglycan (water emulsion) – high-polymer silicones, the most durable products used mainly in the manufacture of professional and medical hair care products. They glue split ends, give the hair softness, silkiness, well-groomed and healthy appearance, however, they create a dense film on the hair and are removed with great difficulty.

To use your hair care products correctly, read the label for the silicones they contain:

• Trideceth-12, Dimethicone Copolyo, Dimethicone copolyol/HWP, Hydroxypropyl, Polysiloxane, Lauryl methicone copolyol – are easily washed off with water, do not accumulate in the hair.
• Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone - wash off with water only in combination with clarifying shampoos.
• Cetearyl methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone - practically do not wash out, accumulate in the hair, when using them, you should use deep cleansing shampoos at least once a week.

How is silicone useful for hair?

All hair care products containing silicone give them silkiness and softness, enhance natural shine, facilitate combing and styling, and make them resistant to moisture, wind, UV radiation. Products with silicone, applied to the hair before blow-drying, protect the hair from overdrying, enveloping each hair with a film and preserving its structure. Silicone helps hair withstand straightening, bleaching, ammonia dyes, perms, as well as hot sun and cold.

Cons of hair care with silicone cosmetics

1. Silicones do not have a therapeutic effect on the hair, and the shine and silkiness of the hair is short-lived and disappears soon after you stop using products with silicones.
2. With frequent use of products with silicone oils and high-polymer silicones, a dense film is formed on the hair, which is difficult to wash off. Hair becomes heavy and brittle, poorly styled.
3. If high-polymer silicones get on the scalp, inflammation may occur, leading to the formation of dandruff, and in a neglected state – to hair loss.

How to use silicone without harm to hair?

Try not to use hair products containing more than 50% silicone.

When using cosmetics containing high-polymer silicones, apply only to the ends of the hair, avoiding contact with the scalp.

Alternate the use of shampoo and masks with and without silicones. When using hair care products containing insoluble silicones, remember to wash your hair once a week with a deep cleansing shampoo that will remove excess silicone. Particularly effective are products containing tensides – natural active ingredients of herbs.