In cosmetology, silicone for hair has been used since the 50s of the last century as a part of styling products, protection from thermal effects and sunlight. The ability of liquid silicone to envelop and smooth the surface of the hair has found application in modern cosmetic products.
What is silicone for hair
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 with time, maintain 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 it a gloss and softness. Used in styling products - varnishes, sprays, lotions, gels. They have a high degree of temperature protection (when using an iron, hairdryer), facilitate combing. Encapsulated polymers are part of balms and conditioners of such brands as Nouvel, Loreal, Barex.
- Water-soluble silicones (polyoldimethicones) - are part of shampoos and balms, are able to create a voluminous foam, are easily washed off with water, not lingering on scales. After use, create a look of obedient and smooth hair.
- Silicone oils (dimethicones) - envelop each hair, giving smoothness, shine and elasticity, do not dissolve in water. Add to the funds 2-in-1 (balms, conditioners, shampoos, conditioners), hair masks , serums for the restoration of strands. Wash off with special shampoos.
- Amodimethicones or amino-functional silicones are used in colored hair care cosmetics. You can wash them off with shampoos that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
- High-polymer silicones are the most resistant, are a component of professional hair cosmetics. For example, they are used to seal hair (by creating a continuous film) or to glue split ends. Wash off with professional special detergents.
Some manufacturers offer natural hair silicones. Artificial chemical material and naturalness are incompatible concepts. We are talking about products containing natural ingredients (for example, red algae extract, broccoli oil) with a similar effect.
The names of silicones on the labels
If the product contains silicone, the names of the constituents contain the ends of 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 are called Behenoxy Dimethicone, StearoxyDimethicone, Amodimethicone.
- Amino-functional silicones can be designated 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 the care products gives an excellent protective and visual effect, but for a long time it is surrounded by controversy: whether it damages the hair and body.
Silicones are cosmetic, not therapeutic agents. Therefore, any result from their use is temporary. Using silicone, you can mask the imperfections by filling in the damaged parts of the hair shaft. Silicone is not able to completely restore lifeless and injured hair. This cosmetics has a decorative effect, creating a short-term, but beautiful appearance. Possible harm to silicone for hair can occur with abuse: there is dry hair and brittleness.
The main quality of silicones is enveloping, which makes curls smooth, obedient, soft. Individual hairs are stacked side by side in a lush, uniform, radiant mass. It becomes easy to comb them both dry and wet, without fear of damage. The use of silicone for hair is in the ideal form of strands, healthy shine, elasticity, as well as protection against harmful effects: sun, wind, thermal styling.
Silicone Tools
Shampoos with silicone are perfect for owners of long hair. Silicones are distributed along the hair shaft, create additional volume, shine, facilitate combing.
Balm - both rinse and indelible - allow you to use irons without damaging effects on the hair, retain color, simplify the creation of styling.
Creams protect against split ends and exposure to sunlight, give a healthy look. Contain vitamins and nutrients.
Sprays are designed to facilitate application, enhance the sparkling hair, make them tidy and supple.
Silicone masks are ideal for cases where you want to create an immediate effect of voluminous, radiant and chic hair. It is optimal to use them once every two weeks.
Leave-in silicone for hair in the form of sprays, creams and emulsions should be applied only to wet hair.
There are also serums, gels, drops, fluids, conditioners. Each tool is aimed at the formation and creation of beautiful curls.
Manufacturers
Company name | The country | Silicone products |
L'Oréal Professionnel | France | Shampoos, conditioners, masks, styling sprays, oils, creams, balms |
Karal | 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, lotions, creams, lotions |
Kerastase | France | Shampoos, milk, modeling pastes, masks, ampoules, oils, creams, serums, concentrates, conditioners |
Redken | USA | Conditioners, oils, sprays, serums, creams, masks, lotions, shampoos |
Hair company | Italy | Shampoos, balms, conditioners, mousses, masks, creams, sprays, lotions, vibes |
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 | Balms, masks, milk, oils, shampoos |
Pantene | Switzerland | Conditioner balms, 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, 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 |
Budget segment cosmetics
The budget options include brands such as Schwarzkopf, Pantene, Faberlic PRO, Dessange, Klas Revital, Chandi, Kanebo Naïve. In mass market stores you can find other, less well-known brands.
Their pricing policy allows you to buy a tool with silicone in the region of 200-400 rubles. Such drugs have simple packaging, less advertised. Knowing the types of silicones and their action, it is possible to choose the most suitable for yourself from the means of inexpensive firms.
Should I buy budget brands?
Customer opinions about silicone for inexpensive brands of hair are not always unambiguous. In general, girls are satisfied with the effect when applied, but complain of 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 become oily. To combat this, it is recommended that professional-grade deep-cleaning shampoo be used once every two weeks to flush silicone.
Pantene silicone cosmetics are called a compromise between expensive and conventional care products that can be bought at any supermarket. Buyers note that it allows you to preserve the color of colored strands for longer, hair dries faster during natural drying, does not get confused, smooth, flowing. Of the minuses - there is no volume, sometimes the strands seem to be "sleek".
Professional cosmetics
Professional products, as a rule, are produced in a series - shampoo, conditioner, caring mask, styling mousse. They are more expensive in cost, however, the concentration of active substances in them is higher, therefore, the effect of the application is better. In addition, hair products with silicone of professional brands in their composition contain additional nutrients and vitamin complexes.
As a rule, the largest cosmetic brands in the field of hair care have their own line of professional products with the addition of professional. These include Brelil, Wella, Ollin, L'Oréal.
Comments on professional grade silicone products
Reviews of silicone for hair of expensive brands in its total mass are laudatory. 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, they urge you not to be afraid of the word "silicone". Masks perfectly moisturize and nourish, glue split ends. Shampoos and balms have a pleasant smell and consistency, the hair after them is simply luxurious - shiny, as in advertising.
Ollin domestic brand products are also praised. According to reviews, funds are spent economically, they can solve the problem of porous hair - they remove fluffiness, make curls smooth, shiny, do not dry. Of the minuses, it is noted that the problem of split ends is not solved, you have to cut them.
Opinions about the Spanish brand Lakme: the silicones of this line of products give the hair silky, soft, shiny, it becomes easy to comb. But some consumers are confused by the smell - it is called herbal, unattractive, not for everybody.