Silicones are the bad boys of the haircare world. They’ve been accused of everything, from causing buildup on your scalp to making your tresses prone to breakage. That’s why many will tell you they proudly steer clear of them.
But, I’ll tell you a secret: silicones aren’t as bad as they’re made out to be. Shhhh!
When you get to know them, they’re actually pretty useful and can make your hair look like a million dollars. Ready to get technical? Read on:
What Are Silicones?
Silicones are a bunch of synthetic molecules derived from silica, a mineral found abundantly both in our environment and our bodies. Silicones have literally a thousand of applications, but we’ll just focus on the hair care benefits here. They are plenty, and have gained silicones a place in most of the haircare products you come across.
What Are The Haircare Benefits Of Using Silicones?
As I’ve said, there are plenty of them, and they mostly come down to silicones being hydrophobic (that’s the fancy way scientists call anything that’s water-hating, by the way).
Silicones work by creating a water-repelling film on hair that:
- Makes hair less likely to absorb excess moisture, reducing its porosity
- Reduces moisture loss from inside the hair
- Smoothens out the surface of the hair so it looks shinier and it is easier to comb through
- Seals split ends back together, making them look invisible to the naked eye
- Protects hair from heat damage during blowdrying and styling
What’s The Problem With Silicones?
Sounds awesome! So, why are silicones so hated?
- They really build up on your hair. BUT, there is a very easy fix to this. I’ll tell you it about next time, so stay tuned!
Not All Silicones Are Created Equal
Silicones are a big family. And like in all families, each silicone has some things in common with its relatives and some things that makes it stand out from the crowd.
Some of them are also more popular than other, so they pop up in your haircare products more often:
Amodimethicone: This is a silicone that’s been modified to stick to your hair better. That’s why it’s so used in leave-in conditioners, where they need to remain on your locks as you go about your day. They’re also awesome for people with thick curls or unruly hair that needs that extra conditioning.
Cyclomethicone: This is the most volatile of silicones. This means it evaporates from your hair within minutes, so it leaves no buildup at all. Yet, it still leaves your locks incredibly silky and smooth.
Dimethicone: The most misunderstood of silicones, it’s also one of the heaviest. That makes it harder to remove, but it’s great for conditioning hair and gives it a lot of shine too.
Dimethicone copolyol: This silicone is water-soluble and lightweight, so there’s no need to worry about it building up on your scalp. Like all other silicones, it conditions your tresses really well.
Silicones are nothing to worry about. They can make your hair look instantly lustrous and shiny, which is why they’ve earned their place in our Ocean Mist Hair Texturizing Spray, and they are recommended as an ingredient when choosing a moisture conditioner to use with the Pure Protein treatment.
As for the buildup, you’re probably already removing it without even realising it. I’ll tell you all about it next month. Watch this space!
