Haircare: Be careful with silicones, and here’s why! Is Silicone bad for hair or not? Can silicone make dry and damaged hair beautiful?
In today’s article, we will try to answer these questions for you to have a correct picture of the use of silicones for hair.
Pros and cons of their use and many other things you need to know. If you are a supporter of the use of silicone hair products, then you should read this text carefully.
The question of whether silicones are harmful to our hair, or on the contrary are (useful), nutritious, has been the subject of bitter debates for years between women and hairdressers.
Experts today can not reach any concrete conclusion on this issue.
But the fact is – silicones are present on our shelves, and we use them every day as an integral part of hair care products.
What exactly are silicones?
Silicones are a set of polymeric organosilicon compounds.
They are obtained by combining the chemical element silicon, which is naturally present in the earth, with oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon.
With such combinations, many types and concentrates of silicon are obtained.
Apart from cosmetics for skin and hair, silicones are also used as adhesives, oils, medical devices (breast implants, eye lenses).).
They are also used in the food industry as an excellent insulator of food products and for many other purposes.
Silicones have been used in hair products since the 1970s. They are also used in shampoos, conditioners, and products that protect the hair from high temperatures.
You will recognize the silicones in the products when on their declaration it is written according to the extension -cone.
If such an ingredient is at the very top of the list of ingredients, it means that it is present in larger quantities.
What types of silicones are there?
There are several different types of silicone, some of which are less common and some of which are less harmful.
There are water-insoluble silicones, ie those that are harder to rinse and stick to the hair, and the hair becomes heavier than them.
The second type of hair silicone is less harmful to the hair and is easily rinsed with water.
Today, every manufacturer has the right to choose which silicones to use for their products.
Some are easily removed by rinsing the hair with shampoo and water, while others form a precipitate around the hair because they do not melt with water.
These are silicones that are named dimethicone and simethicone.
With each application of the hair, they will form a coating around the hair which over time will begin to suffocate the hair itself.
It is therefore very important that before applying a new silicone product to the hair, the previous residues are thoroughly cleaned from the hair.
Silicones such as Cyclomethicone s and benzyl salicylate are basic “carriers” that are easy to rinse and remove from the hair.
Using Silicone Shampoo – Is It Recommended For Hair?
This type of shampoo has been used by women for years, and there are many advantages and disadvantages to its use
Many cosmetic products today contain silicones and it does not depend on the price or the brand. Silicone is especially used in hair shampoos that allow you to quickly repair damaged ends in a short time.
One of the main advantages of silicone shampoos is that they practically repair damaged hair.
And in that way, they help to release the dry ends and the increased brittleness of the hair.
Also, this ingredient gives you a nice smooth hair look and easy combing, which is very important for those who need proper care.
However, that is not all.
Silicone wraps tightly around each fiber so it is able to protect it from the negative effects of the external environment.
It also facilitates the drying and shaping of untamed fibers.
Shampoos containing silicones are also thought to help extend the resistance of new hair color and prevent the color pigment from falling out.
However, here ends all the positive features of this popular ingredient.
Why is silicone hair not good?
Beauty but only in appearance. Despite the many positive features, silicone is not as good as it seems at first glance. Because it is a synthetic product, it does not bring any health benefits to the hair.
It wraps it from the outside which prevents nutrients from penetrating into the internal structure of the hair.
As a result, prolonged use of such substances leads to deterioration of the condition of the hair. Over time, the hair loses its natural shine, becomes thin and lifeless.
Also, due to the frequent use of silicones, their amount only accumulates in the hair.
And due to which the negative effect becomes more visible.
To restore the natural beauty of your hair, consider changing your shampoo with a natural one that does not contain silicones.
However, do not expect to get a visible effect after the first wash. The natural shine and shine of the hair will return only after 2-10 weeks of regular use. In some cases, this period can be around six months.
Is silicone for hair dangerous?
Silicone for hair is not so dangerous in terms of chemical toxicity, but it will significantly affect the appearance of hair.
However, you do not have to give up products that contain silicone completely. All you have to do is reduce their use or put the product in smaller quantities.
Also, you can put these products only on the ends of your hair. Because if you only put them on the tops, then you will additionally ensure yourself from unwanted results.
What are the better replacements instead of silicone for hair?
The best alternatives to these products are natural ingredients or various oils. For example, it is better to use hair masks that contain jojoba oil, shea butter, or aloe vera.
Hair silicone should be used with care, however. Because improper use can cause permanent damage to your hair.
Pay attention to which silicones are good for your hair and which are difficult to rinse and use them in moderation and your hair will be grateful.
There is no doubt that it is always better to look for a solution for dry and damaged hair in natural solutions.
There are many natural remedies that you can buy at the pharmacy and even health food stores that nourish your hair and do not damage it.
When it comes to shampoos, it may be best to look for ones that do not contain silicone at all.
A popular alternative is a sulfate-free shampoo that does not dry or tightens the hair. Numerous care products based on natural ingredients that do not contain silicone are also popular.
They may not work as fast as silicone hair, but they will have a better long-lasting effect and strengthen your hair without fear of side effects.
Action of silicones
Silicones are present in many hair products on the market. In shampoos, conditioners, treatments, combing liquids, hair oils as well as special-purpose hair silicones.
But in the composition of the product, it is allowed to contain a maximum of 15% silicone compounds.
Their role is to cover the hair with a thin hydrophobic layer that protects the hair from all external influences.
Silicones reduce the absorption of moisture from the outside, and reduce the loss of natural moisture and create a protective layer that gives the hair shine and softness.
This confirms the fact that silicones help our hair stay healthy, shiny, and pleasant to the touch.
What should you do?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to give up your precious bottles. Gather them in a pile and study their composition.
If they contain a small percentage of the above Cyclomethicone s and benzyl salicylate, you do not have to take anything.
They successfully protect the hair and remove themselves with each wash.
If the silicones are of the dimethicone and simethicone type, they protect the hair even more; increase the feeling of healthy and well-groomed hair.
It is only necessary to always wash your hair with shampoo several times beforehand. With that, the hair is ready and clean for applying a new layer of silicone preparation.
What do the experts advise ???
Do not use silicone-containing shampoos and conditioners for daily hair washing, but only for occasional lighter combing and nourishing.
Masks usually contain a small concentration of silicone.
And they are not used for everyday use and thus do not suffocate the hair.
Finishing styling products, if they contain silicone, use them in moderation, in small quantities.
But remember that after that you need to do a thorough cleaning of the hair. They contain a high concentration of silicone, you will feel for yourself how smooth and shiny your hair is.
However, if you do not remove the sediment from your hair after a while, it will look lifeless, shiny, and greasy.
Then there is a breaking of the hairs on the parts where the sediment is accumulated and then not a single silicone will be able to help us repair the damage.
How to remove silicone?
If, however, you decide on products that contain silicone, then you need to know how to properly conduct the treatment, and an important part of that is adequate hair washing.
When you regularly use silicone for hair, it stays on the hair and makes the hair look greasy. And, we all know what we do first when the hair is oily – we wash it.
But it can be an aggravating circumstance in this case. It is not new that frequent washing dries the hair, and therefore weakens it.
Then you have to worry about new ways to strengthen your hair. At the same time, washing your hair more often will not help you remove the silicone from your hair.
It all depends on a good shampoo
In order to provide silicone hair treatment to your hair while avoiding side effects, you will first need a good shampoo.
Now you probably expect us to tell you which shampoo it is, but things get a little complicated here.
In order for the shampoo to protect your hair from the accumulation of silicone, it must be strong to wash away all the other silicones.
However, if the shampoo is too strong, it can remove more than that. Of course, these are natural oils from the scalp, which does not use you in any way.
And then you fall into a vicious circle, which shampoo is the right one?
Use silicone to get rid of dry and cracked hair, and then dry your hair with too strong shampoo. And so you can easily get into a situation to spin in a circle.
It is also important that the shampoo does not contain silicone, because then you are doing yourself a disservice.
Instead of rinsing the silicone from your hair, add a new layer. However, salvation lies in trying more shampoos.
Which hair silicone you use and how often, but also how dry your hair is, will depend on which shampoo you use.
Try, experiment until you find the right one. However, here is a little help – pay attention to shampoos with surfactants.
Surfactants are substances that easily bind to grease and dirt, thus speeding up washing. Namely, when grease and dirt are bound to such substances, they are separated from the fibers, which makes them easier to wash.
However, not everything is so ideal for them either.
Surfactants have a reputation for easily irritating the scalp, so they may not be the right choice for you if you wash your hair more often.
In addition, you can find milder variants, so before choosing these shampoos, consult the sellers, and better ask yourself about your experiences with a particular product.
The good news is that if you wash your hair more often (for example, every second or third day), you have a lower risk of accumulating silicone.
You also have a lower risk if you use only one or two hair care products.
In the end, after trying a few shampoos, you will see for yourself and choose the best one for your hair.
Conclusion
Silicones for hair are a modern hair care tool. They are used to improve the appearance of hair, reduce their dryness, protect from external influences, and the like.
The downside of silicones is to keep an eye on their use. If you use too much, the effect will be the opposite of their purpose.
Care should also be taken when removing silicones to make sure it is properly shampooed.
Hair silicones can be used but in moderation, this is the best advice to keep your hair healthy and beautiful.
