Silicones and Conditioning

I was thinking about these same things a little while ago, since I CO wash but I use a silicone conditioner sometimes too. I think it really depends on the hair + the silicones/amount of silicones in the product. With me though, if I've used a silicone conditioner or silicone product once, I don't clarify before using coconut oil, doing a protein treatment or moisturizing treatment + it doesn't seem to effect it. If I've used a silicone conditioner two times though without clarifying, then I will clarify before doing protein or moisturizing treatments. With coconut oil though, even if I've used a silicone conditioner the past 3 CO washes, the oil still seems to do the job though.

I think a little bit of silicones in the hair is fine for doing treatments, but when you have more than 1 'layer' so to speak of silicones, then IMO they should be clarified out. Some products though may really load up the hair with them + they should be clarified out...I think it just really depends. If it feels very different than your hair naturally does then I would clarify, etc..

For using semis though and the Cocochoco keratin treatment I would always clarify beforehand, even if there's no silicones in the hair.

Thanks for this, by the way, @KatieSiepierski!  I do agree completely and thought as well perhaps one dose of silicones does not really start to promote 'build-up', but more than that probably does, and I think I've got more than one coat at the moment.  Time to clarify...

What I didn't think of was the amount of silicones within the product, so that is something also to consider, good point.  What I have learnt from this website (among other things) is to probably avoid any heat-styling irons whilst there are silicones in the hair, as I think they can bake in, can't they.  As you mention the Keratin Cocochoco Treatment, it made me think of hot irons, and I'm avoiding those at all costs at the moment.

Good to know that coconut oil can seep into a bit of silicones though.  I'll keep that in mind... coconut oil is wondrous stuff!

A bit off topic but I will ask it anyway, should I choose a conditioner without cones in it? I bought some random white conditioner to dilute the dye I plan on using but then I read here that there are some things I should avoid when it comes to conditioners same as one should avoid sulphates.

What ingredients should I avoid in conditioners? Thanks!

@crowcrow, it probably depends on what you're after.  I'm no expert, but from what I understand, avoid silicones (ingredients ending in cone, conal, and xane) if you want to keep the true condition of your hair revealed and ensure the good ingredients of the conditioners you use get into the hair and do their job.

I was cone-free for a couple months, but I've recently started using cones again, and I find they're brilliant for protecting against everyday brushing and exposure to possible mechanical damage.  Although I've learnt it's very important to understand what they do in coating the hair with a false sense of shine and health and that they will get eaten away immediately if any bleach or peroxide hit the hair.

Long term, I think I intend on using silicones to protect from everyday damage as I let it grow a bit, but ensure I clarify regularly and properly moisturise so that the good ingredients improve the condition of my hair without silicones blocking them.

So - long explanation short, depends on what you want, but cone-free is certainly best if you don't want to coat the hair with stuff that will make it look better than it actually is and allow your cone-free conditioners to work properly!

I have yet to find a silicone product that doesn't make my hair feel heavy and grimy after a day of wear. I do like how silky they make my hair feel and how that keeps my hair from knotting but I just can't take the grossness it leaves me with. I wind up having to wash it out. If it wasn't for that I would use them more often. I do think silicones have their place in hair care.

I have found a decent replacement with vinegar. If my hair is dull and a bit knotty I just dilute some vinegar, dip my fingers in and run it through my hair. So far this has been working well.

Alexia, thanks so much for the answer! I want a conditoner that will be good for diluting semiperm dyes, as well as for co-washing. The one I bought has got one sulphate ingredient, one PEG ingredient, two xanes, and alarmingly second most abundant ingredient is cetyl alcohol, sounds alarming...

So it's rubbish, FCUK! I bought it because it was white and cheap, and thought I'd use it for diluting the dye... Although I'll probably use it anyway. it's not good for the hair but I mean, I don't use sillicones at all, I had a serious hair detox with all the good ingredients for 5-6 months now, so they can take a bit of sillicones.

I mean, i'll be re-dying my hair probably every 6-7 weeks as I wash my hair only once a week, sometimes even rarer, as my hair just doesn't need it, it just doesn't. So if I co-wash with a good conditioner, using xane/cone conditioner to diliute the day once every other moment doesn't seem drastically bad, plus as soon as I'm done with it, I won't repurchase.

I've heard some people recommend TRESemmé Naturals Moisture Conditioner as it's cheap and good, I'll check the ingredients  list though.

Cetyl alcohol is nothing to be alarmed about, it's a thickening agent.  🙂 It gives the conditioner it's thick creamy texture. It's in almost all conditioners, many shampoos, hair creams, lotions.

PEG is also another thickening agent, it has a bad reputation because it's a petroleum product so it's up to you if you want to use products with polyethylene glycol. http://www.paulaschoice.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/polyethylene-glycol

Definitely want to avoid sulfates because they're not kind to semi perm dyes. The silicones (-one, -xane) are up to you. Some are water soluble and wash away easily, some need to be clarified out.

I've heard some people recommend TRESemmé Naturals Moisture Conditioner as it's cheap and good, I'll check the ingredients  list though.

That is a good one, it's on the thicker side + feels like it's a silicone conditioner but it's not, cone free 🙂 I always use Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut for my diluting/toning/making pastels, and I use it for my CO washing too and on my kids. I don't like the results from any of the other scents in that suave line, the coconut just seems different from the rest. It moisturizes very well, is silicone free, it's thin - which normally I don't like but it does a great job! If you haven't tried that one specifically + it's available to you, I'd definitely try it. Here in the states it's usually only $1.50-$2 for a huge bottle of it

Sadly we don't have that one in the UK. Thanks so much for all the advice!

Wondering what should I do now about the conditioner I bought that's got cones and sulphates in it... Well, I'll keep that, i'll use it up one day hopefully