As you research how to care for your curly hair, one of the first things you will probably read is that you should avoid all products containing silicones, sulfates, and parabens. You're likely to find these ingredients in many of the beauty products in your cabinet. But why do they harm curly hair so much? And why should you opt for silicone-free hair products?
How do Silicones Work?
Polymers with a chemical structure based on silicon and oxygen atom chains are known as silicones.
In shampoos and conditioners, there are many different types of silicones that you may not be able to identify unless you know what you are looking for but look for words ending in 'cone' in the ingredient list, such as dimethicone.
It is difficult to remove silicones from human skin and hair because they are water-insoluble.
These substances work to give your hair shine and smoothness, but they smother the hair and prevent moisture from evaporating, which can lead to dryness and brittleness.
Do silicones damage hair?
Silicones are not dangerous hair care ingredients, but if you have naturally curly hair, you should prefer silicone-free shampoos for curly hair and avoid certain silicones because they cause a buildup on your curls, weigh your strands down, and cause dryness.
Furthermore, some silicones actually keep your hair from getting damaged by heat (for example from heated styling tools), reduce frizziness, and add shine. Clearly, some silicones aren't necessarily harmful.
Silicones have an occlusive nature. In order to moisturize the hair, natural hair needs to be occlusive. When a substance creates occlusion, it acts as a barrier.
By creating this barrier, naturals are able to capture or seal in hydration (i.e., keep their hair hydrated).
With a product that has barrier-creating ingredients, moisturizing seals water inside and on top of the hair strands. Proteins and butters, as well as silicones, moisturize hair.
How bad are silicones for your hair?
Depending on your hair care goals, they could be really bad for you. You might find that some silicones have been the most successful things you have tried since going natural.
In the end, it depends on how your strands respond. If you decide to eliminate silicones completely from your hair care routine, you must also use silicone-free conditioners for curly hair, moisturizers, styling products, and deep conditioners.
Why Go Silicon-free?
It is possible to achieve long-lasting strong, shiny, and healthy hair if you use silicone-free shampoo for curly hair without SLS.
In addition to allowing moisture to penetrate the hair shaft, not using silicones in your hair care will also encourage the natural oils produced by the scalp to nourish and hydrate your curly hair and restore a natural healthy balance.
Furthermore, you will have to wash your hair less often as oil production returns to normal and the hair is not weighed down. In the long run, not only will this make your hair less greasy, but will also save you money!
Are all Silicone-free Hair Care Products for Curly Hair the Same?
There is no guarantee that a shampoo or conditioner is healthy for your hair just because it is advertised as 'silicone-free' or "dimethicone-free."
Many mainstream brands have taken advantage of the trend towards more natural hair care by launching their own silicone-free hair products for curly hair.
These high street shampoos may have been formulated without silicone, but they often still contain a range of other nasty ingredients like drying alcohol, synthetic colors, and fragrances that are potentially damaging and irritating to your hair and scalp.
Concluding thoughts
Silicones were definitely listed as one of the top 10 things not to use on natural hair when searching online. They are known to block moisture and cause natural hair to dry out. In addition to building upon the hair, they irritate the scalp. Using silicone-free hair products for curly hair is a wise thing to do.
However, it is important to be aware that all-natural hair is different, so don't simply take someone else's experience and apply it to your hair.
Women with natural hair often fail to provide their hair with what it needs, causing their hair to suffer and miss out on gorgeous locks. Be different. Think different. Rewrite the rules.
Check out our exclusive collection of curly hair products.