When it comes to hair care, the list of myths stretch out further than a natural haired girl’s shrinkage. One of these myths include silicone based products. There have been debates whether the hair will thrive or wither if “cones,” are present. Silicones do wonders for the hair IF they are used properly. Here are a few do’s and don’ts of silicone based products.
DON’T: Grease Your Scalp
If your mom did your hair at home while you were growing up, chances are she told you to grease your scalp. Most of which were silicon based products. While this is believed to moisturize the hair, silicone only sit on top of the top layer of hair–giving it the apperance of being shiny and oily. When silicones are used this way, they only block the hair pores. To mositurize hair, use water based products and increase water intake. Water is the best mositurizer!
DO: Use as a finishing product
Flip the bottle over of your oil sheen and hair gloss. You will find on the ingredient list unfamiliar words like: “Dimethicone Copolyol,” or “Lauryl Methicone Copolyol.” Seems like gibberish? Look closer, they both contain the word “cone,” indicating a silicone’s presence. One of the perks of silicone is making the hair appear shiny. When used in products such as oil sheens, finishing sprays and hair glosses, this is the benefit. These products contain the water soluble cones and can be washed out after a few days–to avoid a buildup on the hair, avoid using these products everyday.
DON’T: Deep Condition
One of the many jobs of silicone is to prevent mositure and swelling of the hair shaft. When deep conditioning hair, that’s exactly what we want–to bring in the moisture. Use silicone free conditioners if you want to create the moisture you desire.
DO: Use as a Base
Silicone is great when used as a base when applying a relaxer. Silicones are known for blocking the hair–the same is true for skin. When vasaline, a silicone based product, is applied around the hairline and on the scalp, it adds a layer of protection between the chemical and skin.
Silicones are not bad–You just have to know how to use them.
