In cosmetology, silicone for hair has been used since the 50s of the last century as part of styling products, protection from thermal effects and sunlight. The ability of liquid silicone to envelop and give a smooth surface to the hair has found application in modern cosmetic products.
What is hair silicone
Silicone is a polymer of synthetic origin, the main components of which are oxygen and silicon. The material is able to withstand significant temperature changes, not oxidize over time, and retain its shape. It has no taste, color or smell.
Types of silicones
The list of hair silicones is extensive and is divided into the following groups:
- Volatile silicones (cyclomethicones, encapsulated silicones) - evaporate on their own after application to the hair, giving them gloss and softness. Used in stylingmeans - varnishes, sprays, lotions, gels. They have a high degree of temperature protection (when using an iron, hair dryer), facilitate combing. Encapsulated polymers are used in balms and conditioners of such brands as Nouvel, L'Oreal, Barex.
- Water-soluble silicones (polyoldimethicones) - are part of shampoos and balms, are able to create voluminous foam, are easily washed off with water, without lingering on the scales. Leaves hair looking manageable and smooth after use.
- Silicone oils (dimethicones) - envelop each hair, giving smoothness, shine and elasticity, do not dissolve in water. Add to 2-in-1 products (balms, rinses, shampoos, conditioners), hair masks, serums to restore strands. Wash off with special shampoos.
- Amodimethicones or amino-functional silicones are used in cosmetics for the care of colored hair. You can wash them off with shampoos that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
- High-polymer silicones - the most resistant, are a component of professional hair cosmetics. For example, they are used to thicken hair (by creating a continuous film) or to glue split ends. Wash off with professional special detergents.
Some manufacturers offer natural hair silicones. Chemical material of artificial origin and naturalness are incompatible concepts. We are talking about products containing natural ingredients (for example, extractred algae, broccoli oil) with a similar effect.
Names of silicones on labels
If the product contains silicone, the names of the components have the endings conol or -con. Most often they are located at the end of the list.
- Used hair styling silicones: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Polydimethylsiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone.
- Water soluble silicones are designated Laurylmethiconecopolyol, DimethiconeCopolyo, Polysiloxane, Trideceth-12, Dimethiconecopolyol, Hydroxypropyl.
- Silicone oils go by names like Behenoxy Dimethicone, StearoxyDimethicone, Amodimethicone.
- Aminofunctional silicones can be referred to as Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Amino Functional Silicones, Aminopropyl Dimethicone.
- High Polymer Silicones: Cyclopentasiloxane, Vinyldimethyl, Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane.
What effect does silicone have on hair
The silicone used in skin care products gives an excellent protective and visual effect, but for quite a long time it is surrounded by disputes: whether it harms the hair or the body.
Silicones are cosmetic, not medical. Therefore, any result from their use is temporary. With the help of silicone, imperfections can be masked by filling in the damaged parts of the hair shaft. Silicone is not capable of completely restoring lifeless and injured hair. Thiscosmetics have a decorative effect, creating a short-term, but beautiful appearance. Possible harm to silicone for hair can manifest itself with abuse: dry hair and brittleness occur.
The main quality of silicones is to envelop, which makes curls smooth, obedient, soft. Individual hairs are stacked side by side in a lush, homogeneous, radiant mass. They become easy to comb both dry and wet, without fear of damage. The benefits of silicone for hair are the ideal form of strands, he althy shine, elasticity, as well as protection from harmful effects: sun, wind, thermal styling.
Products with silicone
Shampoos with silicone are perfect for owners of long hair. Silicones are distributed along the hair shaft, create additional volume, shine, and facilitate combing.
Balsams - both washable and leave-on - allow you to use irons without damaging the hair, retain color, simplify styling.
Creams protect against split ends and sun exposure, giving a he althy look. Contains vitamins and nutrients.
Sprays are designed to facilitate application, enhance hair shine, make it neat and bouncy.
Silicone masks are ideal when you want to create an immediate effect of voluminous, radiant and chic hair. It is optimal to use them once every two weeks.
Indelible silicones for hair in the form of sprays, creams and emulsionsshould only be applied to damp hair.
There are also serums, gels, drops, fluids, conditioners. Each tool is aimed at shaping and creating beautiful curls.
Producers
| Company name | Country | Produced products with silicone |
|
L'Oréal Professionnel |
France | Shampoos, conditioners, masks, styling sprays, oils, creams, balms |
| Kaaral | Italy | Serums, fluids, oils, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, elixirs, sprays |
| John Frieda | Japan | Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, serums, masks, oils |
| Klas Revital | Slovenia | Shampoo |
| Kanebo Naïve | Japan | Shampoos, conditioners, masks |
| Schwarzkopf Professional | Germany | Sprays, serums, masks, shampoos, oils, conditioners, milks, creams, lotions |
| Kerastase | France | Shampoos, milks, modeling pastes, masks, ampoules, oils, creams, serums, concentrates, conditioners |
| Redken | USA | Conditioners, oils, sprays, serums, creams, masks, lotions, shampoos |
| Hair Company | Italy | Shampoos, conditioners, mousses, masks, creams, sprays, lotions, fluids |
| Ollin Professional | Russia | Shampoos, oils, creams, conditioners, oils, sprays, balms, masks, fluids, serums |
| Moltobene | Japan | Masks, sprays |
| Aldo Coppola | Italy | Shampoos, serums, ampoules |
| Brelil Professional | Italy | Balsams, masks, milk, oils, shampoos |
| Pantene | Switzerland | Balms-conditioners, conditioners, shampoos, masks, oils |
| Jean-Claude Beguin | France | Masks |
| Wella professional | Germany | Shampoos, conditioners, cream masks, balms, sprays, oils, oils, concentrates, mousses, creams, serums, lotions |
| Nouvelle | Italy | Creams, oils, serums, sprays, masks, conditioners |
| Faberlic PRO | Russia | Masks, oils, shampoos,air conditioners |
| Barex | Italy | Shampoos, oils, fluids, masks, serums, conditioners |
| Lakme | Spain | Masks, conditioners, oils, sprays, fluids, lotions, shampoos, serums, balms |
| Chandi | India | Protective sprays, serums, shampoos |
| Dessange | Spain | Shampoos, balms, masks, creams |
Cosmetics of the budget segment
Budget options include brands such as Schwarzkopf, Pantene, Faberlic PRO, Dessange, Klas Revital, Chandi, Kanebo Naïve. Other, less well-known brands can be found in mass market stores.
Their pricing policy allows you to buy a product with silicone in the region of 200-400 rubles. Such drugs have simple packaging, less advertised. Knowing the types of silicones and their action, you can choose the best one for yourself from the funds of inexpensive companies.
Should I buy budget brands?
Customer opinions about inexpensive hair silicone brands are not always unambiguous. In general, the girls are satisfied with the effect when applied, but complain about side effects. For example, in reviews of Faberlic PRO products, they write that they really like the result - the hair is well-groomed and shiny, but quickly becomes greasy. To combat this, it is recommended to use once every one or twoweeks of deep cleansing professional brand shampoo to wash off the silicone.
Pantene silicone cosmetics are called a compromise between expensive care products and conventional ones that can be bought at any supermarket. Customers note that it allows you to keep the color of dyed strands longer, the hair dries faster with natural drying, does not get confused, smooth, flowing. Of the minuses - there is no volume, sometimes the strands seem "slick".
Professional cosmetics
Professional products, as a rule, are produced in a series - shampoo, conditioner, caring mask, styling mousse. They are more expensive in cost, but the concentration of active substances in them is higher, therefore, the effect of the application is better. In addition, hair products with professional brands of silicone contain additional nutrients and vitamin complexes in their composition.
As a rule, the largest cosmetic brands in the field of hair care have their own lines of professional products with the addition of professional. These include Brelil, Wella, Ollin, L'Oréal.
Comments on professional brand silicone products
Reviews of expensive brands of hair silicone are laudatory in their total mass. It is rare to find complaints of individual intolerance.
For example, buyers of L'Oréal Professionnel products with silicones write that the entire line of products is very effective, urging them not to be afraid of the word "silicone". Masks perfectly moisturize and nourish, glue split endstips. Shampoos and balms have a pleasant smell and texture, the hair after them is simply luxurious - shiny, as in advertising.
Praise and "silicone" products of the domestic brand Ollin. According to reviews, funds are spent economically, they allow solving the problem of porous hair - they remove fluffiness, make curls smooth, radiant, and do not dry. Of the minuses, they note that the problem of split ends is not solved, they have to be cut.
Opinions about the Spanish brand Lakme: the silicones of this line of products give the hair silkiness, softness, shine, it becomes easy to comb. But some consumers are confused by the smell - it is called herbal, unattractive, for an amateur.
