The Silicone Debate

A lot of people don't realize that most hair products contain silicones.  There is a lot of debate as to whether using silicone-containing products is good for the hair or not.

There are benefits to silicones and there are drawbacks.  Having an informed opinion, and knowing how to care for your hair if you use silicones is very important.

Silicones do provide a lot of slip to hair, and prevent tangles very well.  They can provide shine, smoothness and they seal in moisture.  They can also help hide chemical damage and split ends.

The downside is that they also seal moisture out, and they do create buildup.  Eventually, this can lead to dull hair and potential breakage.

So if you feel that silicone products are beneficial for you, here are some tips on how to prevent problems down the line.

1.  Clarify hair.  I wrote an entry on April 9, 2010 that explains how to clarify your hair.

2.  Do a deep moisture treatment with a non-silicone based moisturizing conditioner.  I described a good moisturizing treatment in that same April 9, 2010 entry.

3.  When that is rinsed out, use the silicone-based conditioner of your choice.  There are also many smoothing and shining serums that contain silicones as well.

4.  Periodically, repeat the clarifying and deep moisture treatment process.  This will prevent the hair from damaging buildup, dullness and dryness that can occur with regular silicone usage.


I myself was on a regimen of non-silicone based products for about 2 years.  After dying my hair from dark brown back to blonde, I incurred damage that still remains in the last several inches of my hair.  It will be some time before it's all trimmed out. So I do use silicones now, and will likely until the damage is gone.

Most hair products these days have a full list of ingredients on the bottle.  Here is a comprehensive list, compiled by Nightshade from the Long Hair Community, of most of the most common silicones that are found in hair products.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to silicones.  It's all about what works for you and your hair, and knowing how to care for your hair if you use them.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Earth Day!

Bangs, Fringe--It's All The Same

I've had bangs all of my life, with the exception of about 2 years from 2006-2008 when I grew them out. I loved the way they look grown out, but with my fine, straight hair, they were always in my face, and I had to clip them back, even when they were well grown out. I finally caved and cut bangs again.

Not everyone is a fan of the fringe, but I guess it's just part of my identity. I'm including a photo of me at the age of 10. Basically, I have the same hair style now as I had then. After years of perms, curling irons and even crimpers (yipes) in an effort to have bigger, wavier hair, I've finally come to love my straight hair, and I find it ironic that I wear my hair the way I did when I was 10. It's all come full circle.

My hair grows fairly quickly, so I need to trim my bangs every 2-3 weeks. Fortunately, I have a good pair of scissors and I've learned to trim them myself. It's quite easy. In fact I cut the bangs I have now from the grown out bangs myself. I am quite pleased that I don't have to worry about going to salons for those trims anymore.

So, today, the bangs are falling in my eyes, and I guess it's time for a trim. Again.


The clarifying yesterday went well. I didn't end up having time to do the hour-long deep conditioning, so I loaded my hair with a ton of conditioner in the shower and left it for about 5 minutes. I'll have to do the deep conditioning tomorrow.

Nonetheless, my velcro ends are gone, and my hair feels less tangly. So if you ever find that your ends are tangling, don't forget; clarify before doing anything else, like getting a trim.

I can't say that my hair looks any different after clarifying, but it feels different and is better behaved. So much about hair is not visible to the eye but is visible to the touch.


After a gloomy week of rain here in Southern Ontario, I'm delighted that the sun is out again. It looks to be a promising week of Spring weather. I hope that everyone is having a great weekend.

Off to trim the bangs.

Velcro Ends OR: Time to Clarify

Every few weeks, no matter how well I care for my hair, the ends tend to get a bit tangly or "velcro-like". Usually this means that there is buildup on my hair, and that means it's time to clarify and deep moisturize my hair. Today, I'm noticing velcro ends, so I think it's clarifying time.

It's easy to clarify one's hair. Some people mix a bit of baking soda with their regular shampoo to clarify. While that works well for some, it's too harsh for my hair.

Many drugstore brands have special clarifying shampoos, which is what I use. They basically strip all of the buildup from product, environment, and even some elements of hard water from the hair. I no longer use mousse, gel, or hairspray, but buildup is pretty much inevitable. Clarifying is very easy and fairly quick. I rinse my hair very well, apply clarifying shampoo and work the lather through to the ends. I leave it for about 3 minutes and rinse extremely well, making sure as I can that every trace of shampoo is gone.

Of course now my hair is stripped and exposed, so this means a very deep conditioning treatment. My favourite is a blend of moisturizing conditioner and honey. I use a mix of about 2 parts conditioner to one part honey. I warm the mixture up in the microwave for just about 15 seconds. This prevents the honey from lightening my hair, which can occur.

I apply a generous amount, (about 1/2 cup for my hair's current length). I work the conditioner through to the ends, and then I cover it with plastic. I often use a plastic grocery store bag, as it's easy to tie around my hair. I cover that with aluminum foil and cover that whole mess with a towel. It's not exactly a pretty sight, and is best done when I'm home alone. Of course, it doesn't always work out that way, so I do get a bit of teasing once in a while.

I leave the deep conditioner on for an hour at least, and then rinse it out completely. The difference in my hair is amazing afterwards. It's soft and silky and feels like new hair.

It sounds like a lot of work to some, but it's just like a spa treatment for my hair that I only need to do every few weeks.

So that's what I'll be doing either tonight or tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

Now if I could just figure out what to do about these dishpan hands.