Silicone Hair Treatment: How Does It Help Your Hair?

What Do Silicones Do To Your Hair?

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Silicones are man-made polymers known for their hydrophobic (water-repellant) characteristics. They may help retain moisture in the hair shaft. Silicones are among the key ingredients in many shampoos, conditioners, and other styling products.

Silicone works by forming a thin coating around your hair cuticle. This coating keeps your hair hydrated from within. It also keeps excess moisture from penetrating the hair shaft and ensures your hair does not go frizzy. Silicones are also known to protect your hair from heat damage caused by heat-styling tools (1), (2).

The advantage of silicones is they can be modified based on the products they are being used in. Silicones are hydrophobic as well as hydrophilic – while some types of silicone have a water-hating tendency, others have an affinity towards water (3).

The hydrophobic silicones help form a protective layer around the hair. They seal the moisture and keep hair frizz-free. Hydrophilic silicones, on the other hand, can be easily washed with water. They may help prevent static.

With so many advantages, are you still wondering if you should opt for a silicone hair treatment? Read the next section.

Why Should You Opt For A Silicone Hair Treatment?

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A silicone hair treatment makes your hair smoother and shinier (1), (2). It gives more weight to your hair as it coats each strand. It also boosts hair volume. As we had seen earlier, the treatment minimizes the damage caused by heat-styling tools.

Another major advantage is that silicones also lubricate your hair, making it easier to be detangled.

It is important to note, nonetheless, that a silicone hair treatment has certain disadvantages too.

Silicone Hair Treatment Disadvantages

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As the silicones create a protective layer around the hair cuticles, they may build up over time. The hydrophobic nature of silicones could make washing them out with a normal shampoo a challenge. Accumulation of silicone scalp buildups can dry your hair out and make it look dull (4).  In some cases, these buildups can lead to hair breakage as well.

If the disadvantages of the silicone hair treatment concern you, check with your hairstylist or hair professional on how you can remove these buildups safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do silicones cause hair loss?

Hair products containing silicone leave residue on the hair strands. This residue can clog your follicles and lead to damage and hair loss. You can remove this residue with a clarifying shampoo. Making sure that you have the correct hair care regimen before leaving your stylist is critical for the health of your hair and scalp.

Do silicones stop hair growth?

Silicones do not stop hair growth. They improve hair appearance and protect the hair from frizz.

Are silicones good for high-porosity hair?

High-porosity hair can get dry, brittle, tangled, and frizzy. Silicone coats the hair strands to prevent frizz and tangles. It makes high-porosity hair look healthy, smooth, and shiny.

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Monica Dickenson

(Certified Trichologist)
     

Monica Dickenson has more than 30 years of experience as a dedicated technician and business owner. She is very passionate about providing the best service possible to anyone experiencing hair loss and has certifications in hair replacement and holistic trichology. She was awarded USTI Associate Trichologist of the year in 2018.   Monica graduated from Garfield High School in Woodbridge,...View Profile ›

Anjali Sayee

(Beauty & Lifestyle Writer)
 

Anjali specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show women how to love their hair and...View Profile ›