Silicone for hair: benefits and harms of use. What are silicones used for hair? What effect do silicones have on hair?

We continue the topic of the harmfulness and harmlessness of chemical additives in shampoos. Today we will talk about silicones - sensational components that are found in almost any cosmetics. Why are they needed in hair products? What are their advantages and disadvantages? How to find shampoo without silicones? I propose to look into it together and answer the most troubling questions regarding this component.

Meet silicones!

Silicone is an elastic material of synthetic origin, used in all areas of production: in everyday life, construction, medicine, cosmetology and even the food industry. This popularity is explained by a combination of the unique properties of silicone:

• environmental friendliness;
• heat resistance;
• durability;
• maintaining “workability” in any conditions.

Silicones are added to shampoo as the main conditioning component, which straightens hair, gives it shine and shine, makes it voluminous and manageable. Despite the fact that this component is practical and functional, more and more rumors are accumulating around it. Which of them is true, and which is the consequence of unfounded gossip?

Why are silicones in shampoos?

No matter what anyone says, silicone is the No. 1 component for emergency hair tidying today. The elastic material envelops each hair with a thin layer, resulting in an amazing result:

• “silicone” strands reflect light better – hence the shine and smoothness;
• hair becomes thicker and thicker;
• styling lasts better and longer;
• split ends stick together;
• combing becomes comfortable and simple.

If your hair is in poor condition, feel free to try shampoo with silicone. It instantly tames frizzy and unruly hair. Even these:

Another useful function of silicone is protective. The material protects hair from exposure to temperatures, precipitation, ultraviolet radiation and styling products. In addition, it neutralizes the alkaline properties of shampoos and protects us from the negative consequences of using sulfates (we also talked about them in one of the articles).

Is silicone in shampoos dangerous – the harm is real and mythical

There are so many rumors surrounding silicones! Should we believe them? I propose to analyze the most common myths and see how reliable they are. After all, there is no fire without smoke, right?

Myth 1.Silicone does not allow caring components to penetrate the hair.

This opinion is based on the fact that the material envelops the hair in a dense shell and does not let anything through, including beneficial substances - vitamins, oils, keratin. In fact, high-quality shampoos contain “thin” silicone, which protects strands from negative effects and nothing more. Would manufacturers spend money on expensive skin care additives, knowing that they would not achieve their goal due to silicones?

Myth 2. Silicone clogs pores, impairs blood circulation in the scalp, causing hair loss.

Indeed, the material is capable of doing all this, but only in case of high concentration. As a rule, high-quality shampoos contain a moderate amount of silicone and do not provoke such a reaction.

Myth 3. Silicones are hazardous to health and cause severe allergies.

High-quality silicone, which is included in good shampoos, is absolutely safe for humans and the environment. In addition, this material is hypoallergenic. So transform your hair without unnecessary worries.

How is silicone designated in shampoos?

Surely you want to know if you have silicone in your shampoos. How is this component designated? It can be detected by the endings “-silane”, -cone, -thiconol, -thicone, “siloxanes”. However, simply catching silicone in your shampoo is not enough; it is important to find out which group it belongs to and how safe it is for hair.

1. Water soluble. The safest silicone that does not accumulate on the skin, is easy to wash and transforms hair. This group includes additives such as Dimethicone Copolyo, Polysioxane, Lauryl methicone copolyol and others.
2. Partially soluble. It has a more pronounced effect of visual improvement of hair, but has more side effects. Washable only with deep cleaning shampoos with effective sulfates. Here Behenoxy Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone.
3. High polymer. This is a silicone scoundrel that has no place in your shampoo! It does not dissolve, is practically not washed out and negatively affects the health of the hair. Know the enemy by sight: Methikone, Cyclomethikone, Cetyl Dimethicone.

“Bad” silicones are rarely added to shampoos - they can usually be found in hair fixing products: varnishes, sprays, mousses.

Why is shampoo without silicone better?

If you are not a fan of innovative technologies and synthetic aids that can improve your hair only visually, use organic shampoos. They will transform your locks through healing, not magical chemical reactions. Among Korean and Japanese shampoos, you can easily choose the right option. Here are some of the real “clean” products:

• Argan Hair Shampoo is a gentle and caring shampoo, rich in oils.
• Damaged Protector Acid Shampoo – restoring shampoo with keratin and amino acid complex.
• ORMONICA ORGANIC SCALP CARE SHAMPOO - the effect of natural transformation and aromatherapy in one weighty bottle!
• Volume Boost Shampoo – shampoo for super-volume achieved without silicone.

We have already decided why the statement “silicone in shampoos is harmful” is incorrect. And the benefits of this component are obvious: it instantly improves the appearance of hair, while protecting it from the negative influence of evil provocateurs. However, already healthy strands do not need such an effect, and therefore do not need silicones either.

Important:silicone is too slippery and unattractive for synthetic substances that are part of coloring and chemical products. For straightening, long-term styling, curling or coloring, use a shampoo without silicones.

Conclusion

Now you know almost everything - how silicone is spelled in shampoo, what its advantages and disadvantages are, who should buy hair cosmetics without additives. Armed with theory, you can safely move on to practice: try, experiment, compare. Remember that the silicone that is added to good shampoos goes through a labor-intensive production process and quality control, which means it is not capable of harming your hair. So you definitely shouldn’t be afraid of this element! That's all, thanks for your attention!

With wishes for the most beautiful and healthy hair, your Vorobyova Nastya.

Most manufacturers widely use silicones, because they make hair shiny and smooth. At the same time, the Internet is replete with horror stories that silicones only damage hair and do not provide any benefit. Where is truth and where is fiction, we asked the brand’s technologists to tell us Concept.

A little history

Silicones - chemical compounds based on oxygen and silicon molecules - belong to the group of substances with a high degree of stability. They do not react with oxygen and are not subject to oxidation. It is important that compounds in this category are characterized by 100% biological compatibility with the cells of the human body and a fairly large size. This combination of properties allows them to be included in any cosmetic formulations without the risk of causing an allergic reaction.

Today, many salon procedures, such as hair lamination, cannot be imagined without silicone-based products. The hair lamination procedure has always aroused great interest among women, regardless of its execution method. It was carried out using a variety of recipes available for home use. So, to this day it is often carried out using gelatin or egg yolk.

It is important to understand that such manipulations cannot be considered an alternative to salon procedures. Their effectiveness and benefits are highly questionable, and the fragility of the results obtained is the least of the shortcomings.

The most common consequences of using “home cooking recipes”:

Formation of a film on the hair that is too heavy and difficult to wash off;
significant weighting of the strands, leading to increased load on the hair follicles and disruption of their functions: the roots weaken and the rods become brittle;
soaking and swelling of the surface film with each subsequent wash of the hair, which turns it into a sticky mass that tangles the strands and makes them difficult to comb;
obtaining a coating with excess density, depriving the hair of flexibility, which is why it is cut and broken, and the splitting process can affect the strands along their entire length;
dull shine that does not meet “salon” standards;
the appearance of an unpleasant feeling of increased greasiness in the hair.

Modern hair lamination products are developed on the basis of silicones, liquid forms of which were first obtained by American specialists in 1961. They are still actively used to create formulas for cosmetic compositions and professional formulations suitable for use both in a hairdressing salon and at home.


Silicone is deservedly considered a revolutionary invention; it is also often called the material of the 21st century. Today, it is widely used in medicine, cosmetology and the food industry as a safe and high-tech component, serving as an analogue of familiar but outdated raw materials.

Properties: benefits and harms of silicones

To weighting of hair due to the formation of a dense and difficult to wash off film;
to a decrease in the effectiveness of procedures and the appearance of inflammation of the scalp and dandruff, as well as disruption of hair nutrition due to the accumulation of high-polymer compounds.

However, it should be noted that such components are practically never found in modern cosmetic formulations.

Important! Silicones do not have a therapeutic effect, but they protect the hair, enhancing the beneficial effects of other beneficial ingredients in cosmetics and prolonging their active “work”.

What should you pay attention to?

Dimethicones are silicone oils capable of forming a dense film that envelops and protects each hair. It is important to remember that such compounds are insoluble in water and require the use of special shampoos to remove them.
Polyold dimethicones belong to the group of water-soluble silicones, most often added to shampoos that provide the effect of obedient and smooth strands. They guarantee the formation of persistent dense foam and do not accumulate in the hair.
Amodimethicone belong to the group of modern amino-functional silicones. They ensure the achievement of a complex effect, since they glue damaged scales, fixing the color and keeping it unchanged for a long time. These substances are especially good for use in conditioning and regenerating masks and balms.
Encapsulated silicones are used for additional hair care: they are necessary to facilitate styling, protect against aggressive influences and temperature changes on frosty or hot days.
High polymer silicones are the most stable compounds used to create lines of professional skincare cosmetics.

Rules for using cosmetics with silicones

Do you avoid hair products with silicones or, on the contrary, use them often?

Many people try to avoid shampoos and other hair care products that contain large amounts of chemicals. We suggest considering whether liquid silicone is harmful to hair, where you can buy it and what types it has.

How does silicone work?

Despite the fact that hair products with silicone weigh down hair somewhat, they are market leaders in treating strands and improving their appearance. Silicones coat the hair with a thin hydrophobic (waterproof) coating. Benefits of coating:

• Reduces the porosity of curls, which makes it less absorbent and facilitates the straightening process (which is why it is great for smoothing out unruly and curly locks);
• Reduces moisture loss from curls, making it excellent for conditioning;
• Lubricates the surface of long hair, making it much easier to comb and less tangled. But there is a minus here: they are more difficult to tie in a braid or curl with curlers;
• Helps restore the structure of the strands after coloring;
• Used to add shine from roots to ends. After use, a short-term lamination effect is obtained, the strand thickens, becomes smoother and more even.

Video: the hard truth about silicones

The effect of silicone on curls

Why are silicones harmful to hair? There are different types of products, some of them accumulate in the strand, and it simply cannot function normally, alopecia may begin, fragility and dryness of the curls, increased hair loss, split ends, etc. may appear. In this case, even vitamins, which are often also contained in individual products, will not help. Let's take a closer look types of silicones:

1. Cyclomethicone is one of the most commonly used silicones in hair care, it is used by well-known companies such as Nouvel, L'Oreal, Barex. This is a volatile silicone fluid, it evaporates some time after application, gives silky, smooth, manageable hair, is washed off immediately upon contact with water, it is used in conditioners, less often in masks or styling products.
2. Dimethicone copolyol is a water-soluble lightweight silicone that provides very little deposits. It is often used in shampoo-conditioners.
3. Amodimethicone(referred to as "AMO", "amine" or "amino") are commonly used silicones in cosmetics that are chemically modified to improve skin and hair health. They are difficult to wash off, but they hold their shape better. They are used in varnishes, mousses, waxes, and powders for curls.
4. Dimethicone- this is a silicone oil, often used for extensions, damaged, dyed hair (Nouvelle spray, PERICHE serum, Estelle silk for damaged curls). Dimethicone provides beautiful shine and conditioning. But it does not dissolve in water, so it is difficult to wash off. In addition, this is a heavy coating, in a big city, dust, the curls will very quickly become dirty; if the hair has a small volume or is sparse, it will become very heavy due to this product and will look untidy.

Strand extensions and silicone

Any professional shampoo will wash away silicone, so you can safely use products that contain it. But if you use heavy particles (particularly dimethicone), you may need to lather your hair several times in a row. For split ends and hair extensions, silicone is the best product for creating hairstyles; it helps shape strands into the most unimaginable shapes and protects against the harmful effects of UV rays.

Harm from silicone

Transparent preparations containing silicone are not suitable for use on sparse strands, because... make them heavier and create the effect of dirty hair. It is not advisable to use it for daily styling, because... It will not be possible to completely wash the product at home the first time, and over time, the curls may change structure due to constant contamination.

1. The substance dries out the curls greatly and does not allow them to breathe normally;
2. It is often used to restore colored curls, but only if the strands are thick, and this does not apply to bleaching;
3. Do not use silicone conditioners after washing for curls that lack volume;
4. Silicone products can be dangerous in case of individual intolerance, allergies, or hypersensitivity of the scalp.

Review of hair products with silicone

It is most convenient to use silicone if it is part of special products. We invite you to review professional products containing this component. The rating was created using reviews from women's forums.

You can order medications in any online store, or buy them at a pharmacy or a special mini-market for cosmetics. There are such in all cities of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and other CIS countries (Krasnodar, Novosibirsk, Minsk, Moscow, Kharkov, St. Petersburg, Donetsk, Kyiv).

Every woman wants to have beautiful, healthy hair, but aggressive dyes, hot air, illness and age can make it dry, brittle and lifeless. Products with silicone components will help quickly, but they should be used in combination with proper care and treatment.

Silicone groups

Silicone is a chemical compound based on oxygen and silicon. It has large molecules that are well compatible with human cells, does not oxidize, and is very stable. Silicone is used in the creation of hair products.

Features and properties of the main types of silicones:

Pros and cons of silicone for hair

Silicone film envelops every hair. It protects the strands from destruction, but if used incorrectly, it dries out. Products with silicone instantly give your hair a well-groomed, healthy look, although they do not restore or treat.

Advantages:

• instant effect of grooming;
• “glue” porous areas, eliminate split ends;
• ease of combing;
• after coloring, the curls retain their color for as long as possible;
• eliminates “electrification”;
• ease of installation;
• protection during styling, from ultraviolet radiation, from fragility after drying with a hairdryer;
• does not cause allergies.

Flaws:

• short period of validity;
• cannot be used constantly, the hair will become brittle and dull;
• harm of silicones to hair - accumulation of some types, obstruction of penetration of nutrients and oxygen;
• the occurrence of dandruff;
• the effect of greasy roots may occur;
• dropping out.

Properties of cosmetic products

The benefits and harms of silicone for hair will be balanced if they are used in necessary cases, alternating with silicone-free cosmetics. Comparison of different types of care products is in the table below:

How to properly use cosmetics with silicones

By correctly using hair cosmetics with silicone, you can get a beautiful, shiny, well-groomed hairstyle without harm or unpleasant consequences.

• it is preferable to use masks, sprays, shampoos that contain water-soluble silicones;
• products with silicone should be alternated with care without them;
• once a week use shampoo that removes silicone components;
• cyclopentasiloxane in cosmetics is used only for the treatment of damaged parts, ends;
• if high-polymer species come into contact with the roots, dandruff, greasiness, clogged scalp pores, and irritation may appear;
• You definitely need to look at the composition of the products; chemical elements should be no more than 50% for the Slavic type;
• For procedures involving aggressive effects, such as perm, it is useful to use sprays for protection.

Video

With the development of technology, access to information has become unlimited. It’s a pity, but sometimes there is too much of it and most of it is not reliable. There are so many myths surrounding cosmetic products that Ancient Greece would be jealous. One of the most common is about silicone contained in hair cosmetics. From shine and silkiness to skin loss and cancer. Benefit or harm - reporting from the scene, it will be interesting!

Silicon Valley

Most cosmetic raw materials are based on carbon and hydrogen: oils, preservatives, thickeners, fragrances and others. But a notable exception to this family are cosmetic silicones.

Personal acquaintance

Silicones consist of silicon and oxygen. Chemists are people who love variety, so they play with their structure as they please. They make polymers with different masses, structures and properties. Their consistency can vary from liquid and gel-like to rubber with hard plastic.

Silicones are divided into two broad camps: water-soluble and water-insoluble. Water-soluble ones are easily washed off with water; to wash off insoluble ones, you will need any detergent, in this case shampoo.

We got to know each other better, we know, so to speak, every hair silicone by sight. It remains to find out whether their presence in cosmetics is beneficial or harmful.

Advantages of silicones

Here are the main qualities that make silicones useful from a cosmetic point of view:

• Slippery. They are incredibly slippery. When diluted, they form a film on the surface that is resistant to any friction force. The effect is amazing. Hair is easy to comb. The skin becomes smooth and velvety. Mascara, lipstick and eyeliner are applied evenly and effortlessly with one movement of the hand.
• Shine . They make any surface glossy and shiny: from hair, nails and skin to the car body. Silicones fill any cracks, voids, or irregularities. The surface becomes smooth like glass. The light from such a surface is reflected equally, creating radiance and gloss. Unfortunately, this is also where the mechanism of “instant improvement” of the skin of various super-duper creams lies - a visual effect, nothing more.
• Protection. Creates a barrier upon application. Therefore, they are the number one component of various “protective” products: for colored curls that prevent color loss, leave-in hair silicones used for heat styling. Don’t forget to put them in various lotions, moisturizers, sunscreen products, and decorative cosmetics.

Disadvantages of silicones

These are excellent materials for creating cosmetics, but none are perfect, and they have disadvantages:

• Price . These are very expensive raw materials, so many companies avoid them or use them to a minimum, mixing them with components that are similar in action.
• Compatibility. Silicones are selfish and do not really like to “combine” into a homogeneous liquid or cream with other ingredients. There is a high risk that delamination will occur, and this will result in a damaged product and reputation. This also reduces their use.
• Consumer Concerns. Yes, popular rumor does its job. While most of these beliefs are bullshit, many consumers believe that silicones are harmful. They accumulate on the hair and cause hair loss. They form a dense film on the skin, clogging pores, causing irritation and allergies. Therefore, manufacturers adapt to such “concerned” consumers by creating products without silicones.

Is silicone really harmful to hair?

We declare it directly and categorically! No no and one more time no! Where do these vague reviews about products with silicone for hair come from? There are no official medical studies confirming that they have a negative effect on the epidermis. There is also no confirmation that accumulating on the surface of the hair can make it heavier enough to lead to brittleness, weakening and loss.

Yes, silicones can build up on your hair. Dimethicone certainly does this very well. Cyclomethicone evaporates from the surface and does not accumulate. In addition, if you use a shampoo without silicone, then the accumulation will be minimal, from wash to wash.

They do not accumulate on the skin. First of all, because the epidermis is in a constant state of renewal, and silicones remain in the outer layers. Over time, the outer layers peel off along with any substances.

Silicones are actively used for medical purposes. Thus, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests using them in cosmetics intended to care for the skin of patients with acne and rosacea, which will help reduce skin redness, burning or irritation.

Another example. Based on them, a special medical glue is made, which has low allergenicity and is applied to the skin near open wounds. What is the best proof that silicones are safe?

How do silicones affect hair?

Definitely positive. But they do not treat and only externally! They make hair healthy, but do not cause harm.

• Porous curls' best friends. Filling voids, they do an excellent job of smoothing and straightening.
• Lubricates the surface of the hairs, thereby facilitating combing, giving a mirror shine and smoothness.
• They protect against high temperatures, prevent overdrying and loss of moisture from curls, and are perfect for heat styling.

Will silicone build up on my hair?

It depends on its type. Silicones are used in hair cosmetics with different properties:

• Cyclomethicone is one of the most popular for use. It evaporates upon application, which means it definitely won’t accumulate. Gives silkiness, smoothness, glide when wet and easy combing when dry. Manufacturers use it in both rinse-off conditioners and various “leave-in” products.
• Dimethicone copolyol is water soluble, lightweight, accumulates in very small quantities;
  Amodimethicone, as well as everything with the prefix “amine” or “amino” is already “heavier” and holds onto the curls more firmly. Amodimethicone is commonly used in leave-in conditioners.
• Dimethicone or silicone oil. As a rule, it is referred to as “liquid silicone for hair.” “Dresses” the curls in a kind of cocoon, providing incredible shine, but at the same time maintaining access to air. At the same time, this coating is heavy; if used excessively, the hair will look untidy, greasy and sticky. Actually, this is why silicone is harmful to hair - ruining your hairstyle and mood.

Dimethicone is often found in tip serums, masks, and various thermal products.
Are you afraid that clever silicones have accumulated in your hair? Wash your hair! Seriously. There is nothing easier than removing silicone from your hair. Any shampoo will wash them off once, or twice at most. However, if you use products with heavy insoluble silicones, the worst thing you need to do to wash them off is to add extra soap and rinse your hair.

Are you afraid of overloading your hair? Look for light cyclomethicone and dimethicone copolyol in the composition and alternate with cosmetics without silicones.

Not convinced? Are you still thinking about how to replace silicone for hair? We'll disappoint. Nothing. That's how special they are. Even some super-duper broccoli oil circulating on the Internet will not replace it in terms of properties, however, like any other oil. Because oil is a completely different “song”. The phrase turned out to be strange, but appropriate in meaning.

Isn't there going to be a fly in the ointment?

Will. Necessarily will! If you use hair cosmetics with silicones thoughtlessly. Therefore, let us formulate the main points based on all of the above:

• Cleansing. From the point of view of common logic, it is better to choose shampoo without silicones. The main task of shampoo is to cleanse the hair and scalp of various contaminants. It's time to stop believing that it can nourish, strengthen and fight hair loss. Marketing fairy tales. Shampoo is soap for hair, like Fairy is for dishes. Don't waste your money, choose hair cleansers without silicone.
• Conditioning. This step should not be neglected. Choose depending on the type of curls and the degree of their damage. A “lighter” balm for normal, not too damaged hair. If your curls are dry, porous, exhausted, do not forget to use a mask with “heavier” silicones once a week.
• Laying. If your hair is regularly subjected to strength tests in the form of blow-drying, straightening with an iron or curling with a curling iron, you can buy a “leave-in” for heat styling. It would be great if it also contains keratin.

When choosing products with silicone for hair, pay attention to where they are in the list of ingredients, it is better if there are no more than 50% of them, this is at most the middle of the list and then towards the end.

Now you know how silicone is designated in hair products and what types there are. Choosing a hair care product to your liking is not difficult. Smoothness, shine and silkiness are no longer a secret, and you can achieve this without any problems, and leave the horror stories and lies about the destructive effects of silicone to the uneducated. Knowledge is the power that leads to beauty! Gorgeous curls to everyone!