What you need to know about silicones in hair cosmetics

Although silicones are frequently found in hair care products, there is sometimes misunderstanding regarding their effects. While some avoid them out of worry about buildup and damage, others vouch for their ability to add shine and smoothness.

You’re not alone if you’ve ever questioned the safety of silicones and what they actually do to your hair. It’s critical to comprehend the actions of these ingredients as well as any potential long-term effects.

The various kinds of silicones will be explained in this article along with how they work with your hair and whether or not you should incorporate them into your regular regimen.

Why do you need silicones in hair cosmetics in fact

I’ll explain a scenario that most people are familiar with: you stand in the store and select a shampoo. And inexplicably, the hand reaches for the jar with the big words "without silicones" on it. Meanwhile, the following internal dialogue plays in your head:

– Since silicones are chemically based!

There is a lot of additional chemistry in the composition. Why do silicones confuse you?

-I’ve read that they can be dangerous.

Are you aware of the consequences of using and selecting silicone-containing products improperly? Your hair will become lustrous, silky, and manageable in an instant. It’s straightforward: silicones in makeup work to surround the hair shaft with a weightless film.

Fascinating fact: organosilicon polymers, also known as cosmetic silicones, are substances that act on the surface. Their job is to smooth, seal, and replicate the cuticle’s properties for more dependable protection of the cortex, the inner core of the hair shaft; they do not reconstruct the internal structure of the hair. Natural oils have a similar effect because their molecules are too big to allow them to enter the cuticle’s deep layers.

What more are silicones capable of?

• prevent hair from losing moisture and shine;
• act as temporary "clothing" for hair, protect from an aggressive external environment;
• smooth the cuticle (the outer part of the hair) and seal it in this position for a long time, so that the hair is less frizzy.

In addition, silicones offer superior heat resistance. With a hairdryer, curling iron, or flat iron, you can securely dry your hair, curl it, straighten it, and generally not stop experimenting with it. The "blow" from heat will be absorbed by silicones themselves. Furthermore, the protection is extremely dependable because they are easily applied to the entire hair surface. Yes, a note regarding the thermal protective qualities should be included with your leave-in care. Its absence suggests that the formula’s silicone and other protective component concentration is too low. In these situations, you must apply a second layer of material that has been shown to be effective against high temperatures.

The fact that silicones make cosmetic consistency more comfortable is another little benefit.

Overall, a constant improver!

However, why are people afraid of silicones if everything is so wonderful? Let’s investigate and find out where these amazing (or more accurately, artificial) materials reside first.

What types of products contain silicones

Silicones are present in nearly every kind of product, including leave-in and styling products, masks, shampoos, and conditioners. There are even oils in hair cosmetics lines that contain silicone; these oils keep the ends from breaking.

Alright, so they’re probably not included in makeup applied by professionals?

Of course they are. However, not always or entirely. There are products with and without silicones in both professional and mass-market lines. However, it is impossible to declare some to be superior to others. Simply put, their objectives are different. Each has unique needs, even with hair. Using the example of three established brands, let’s compare.

Shampoos

With silicone: Biolage Strength Recovery. Dimethicone, one of the most widely used cosmetic silicones, is used in shampoo. However, squalane and shea butter—substances with exceptional moisture-retaining qualities—play the major roles in the recipe. The shampoo is suggested as the initial course of treatment for damaged and brittle hair by the brand’s technologists.

Curl Expression by L’Oréal Professionnel is silicone-free. a blessing for people with frizzy, curly, or wavy hair, who, as you may already be aware, require a completely different beauty regimen. Curls that are smooth and frizz-free are a result of glycerin, hibiscus extract, and the moisturizing agent Urea H.

Conclusion: cleansing shampoo formulas with and without silicones can be equally gentle, without causing overdrying of hair during washing.

Conditioners

Matrix’s Food For Soft with silicone. Conditioner for any type of dry hair from the professional system. The primary focus of the composition is moisturizing; avocado oil and hyaluronic acid work together with silicones to smooth, slow down moisture loss, and make comb glide easier.

Matrix High Amplify without Silicone. keeps thin, lifeless hair feeling airy and light. Panthenol and wheat protein are included in the ingredient list to prevent hair shaft thinning without adding weight to the hair.

In conclusion, silicone is not required for rinse-off care for fine hair, but adding it to a conditioner for dry, brittle hair won’t harm it.

Leave-in care

The L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular leave-in mask is compatible with silicone. Silicones function on the surface, while a peptide bonder and five essential amino acids rebuild the hair shaft’s protein structure at the molecular level. When combined with polyquaternium-4 polymer, another film-forming ingredient, two varieties of silicones offer dependable defense against harsh environmental elements, such as high temperatures from hair dryers.

In the absence of silicone: High-Amp spray. will give even very soft and fine hair long-lasting natural volume at the roots. The composition’s light, non-silicone, water-soluble PVP polymer serves as silicone by forming a thin veil that allows the hairstyle to be fixed in place with flexibility. Hair is nourished by rice protein and an amino acid derivative of silk.

In conclusion, the "non-train" almost certainly contains a different kind of polymer if silicones are absent.

Are silicones safe for hair health, that’s the question

The ingredients of cosmetics tested in the medical field have undergone extensive research and are safe. Regarding silicones, there is hardly a field in medicine that does not use them. According to studies, silicone polymers are hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and immune system-safe. They also withstand high temperatures. They are used to make a variety of plasters and dressings because the polymer formulas let the skin breathe while protecting it. For hair health, silicones are safe, but moderation is key.

The characteristics of these polymer substances’ actions give rise to rumors regarding the possible dangers of silicones. The immediate effect of silicones is removed during the subsequent head cleansing ritual. When compared to "before/after," the hair might appear to be of lower quality. This is untrue; the hair just goes back to how it was.

Silicone merely gives the appearance and exquisitely shapes the hair; it does not nourish or treat. As regular assistants, stylists use them to maintain the color of the dye, the smoothness of the curls, and their comfort when combing.

Can silicones still harm hair

Potential harm from silicones in cosmetics for hair:

• scalp itching;
• weighting of hair;
• decrease in root volume;
• decrease in the effectiveness of care.

Why does this occur? The first culprit is using too gentle of a shampoo or not washing your hair often enough. The presence of silicone residues hinders the active ingredients in conditioners and masks from deeply penetrating the hair, which makes it challenging to exfoliate the keratinized cells on the scalp. That’s why the regular care was ineffective and itchy. The second likely explanation is that silicones are probably not your style.

Advice from SalonSecret experts. Using silicone in your regular hair care and styling requires you to be more meticulous about cleaning your scalp and hair. Use Scalp Advanced by L’Oréal Professionnel, a product with a light gel texture and fruit acids, once a week. Intensive cleansing base softly cleans hair while getting rid of makeup residue.

Main types of silicones in cosmetics

To be more precise, silicones are a class of synthetic polymers made of silicon and oxygen. All silicones are synthetic. Since carbon is involved in their synthesis, they can be considered organic in a sense.

The most widely used silicones in cosmetics are dimethicone, dimethiconol, amodimethicone, cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, trimethicone, and their derivatives. This is an impressive list of silicones.

Scientists categorize silicones into three major groups:

1. Hydrophilic — they can be washed off with water. And “volatile” silicones, indispensable in cosmetics with a heat-protective effect, in principle do not need to be washed off. Low molecular weight allows them to quickly evaporate from the hair.
2. Lipophilic — silicone oils that can only be washed off with sulfate-containing shampoos.
3. High-polymer silicones — silicone resins. You need to be careful with them, they are more likely than others to weigh down hair and accumulate, and are harder to dissolve.

Fascinating fact: Compared to natural oils, certain silicones—like the well-known dimethicone—are more breathable.

Silicones are frequently found ingredients in hair cosmetics and are well-known for leaving hair feeling glossy and silky. Though they provide a layer of defense for the hair, they can also accumulate over time and, if not thoroughly cleaned out, cause heaviness or dullness. To maintain the health of your hair, it’s critical to know which products to use and when to clarify your hair. Knowing the function of silicones will enable you to choose your hair care products more wisely.

How silicone is designated in cosmetics

Simply pay attention to the word ends in the ingredient list on the bottle; you won’t need to memorize dozens of obscure names. Cosmetic silicones have names that finish in -cone, -siloxane, or -conol.

Recall the following instances of silicone designations found in hair cosmetics:

• Hydrophilic and partially hydrophilic — Dimethicone Copolyol, Lauryl Methicone Copolyol and Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane, Amodimethicone.
• Volatile — Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disiloxane.
• Lipophilic — Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Methicone.

In cosmetic formulations, the use of two or three different types of silicone is more advantageous than disadvantageous. Therefore, the light cyclomethicone aids in the uniform distribution of the highly viscous dimethiconol along the hair shaft, while the latter forms a breathable water-repellent film.

Aspect	Details
What are silicones?	Silicones are ingredients used in hair products to make hair smooth and shiny.
Benefits	They create a protective layer on hair, reducing frizz and improving manageability.
Drawbacks	Over time, silicones can build up, making hair look dull and feel heavy.
Types	Some silicones are water-soluble, while others are not and may need special cleansers to remove.
Should you use them?	It depends on your hair type and preferences. Some people love the sleek finish, while others prefer silicone-free options for a lighter feel.

The use of silicones in hair cosmetics can have both positive and negative effects. For people who style their hair frequently, they can be a great help because they offer shine, smoothness, and heat protection. But, some silicones can accumulate on hair over time and, if improperly cleaned out, cause dullness or even dryness.

It’s critical to comprehend the different silicones found in your products in order to choose the best option for your hair. Water-soluble silicones are a kinder alternative because they are simpler to remove. On the other hand, specific shampoos may be needed to remove buildup from silicones that are not water soluble.

By knowing what your hair needs and choosing products accordingly, you can enjoy the benefits of silicones while avoiding potential drawbacks. Regular clarifying treatments can help maintain the balance and keep your hair looking healthy and vibrant.

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