Yumi:

Today,  Hama-chan will give us a lecture about “silicone”.

What is silicone for hair?

 

Hama-chan:

Silicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. Silicones are polymers that are made of silicon mixed with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sometimes other elements.

Silicone used in shampoo is so called “silicone oil.”

A silicone oil is any liquid polymerized siloxane with organic side chains. The merit of silicone oil is that it is non-flammable or non-oxidized. This is why silicone is a safe product for body care.

Silicone has polymerized siloxane; if polymerized siloxane is less than 2,000, it has a feature of oil.  Silicone oils are primarily used as lubricants, for cosmetic products, sunblock, fabric softener, and hair care products.

If polymerized siloxane is between 5,000 to 10,000, it becomes rubber-like and it is used for contact lenses, cosmetic surgery, and other silicone rubber products.

 

 

Yumi:

OK, I understand silicone is commonly used for different type of products. However, I have an impression that many people think shampoo containing silicone  is not good for health. Why many people tend to have a negative image towards silicone?

 

Hama-chan:

Well, it is difficult to explain, so let me use another example.

Do you know DHMO?

 

Yumi:

I have no idea.

 

Hama-chan:

DHMO stands for Dihydrogen monoxide. This is the main component for acid rain. DHMO is found in malignant tumor from patient of terminal cancer. DHMO is used for cooling in nuclear reactor.  DHMO is used for making styrofoam. It is also used for junk food.

Can you drink DHMO after hearing all this story?

 

Yumi:

Not really…

 

Hama-chan:

How about mineral water which is purified by natural filter, geologic stratum which is created in thoudands years and longer. Can you drink this?

 

Yumi:

Of course, I can.

 

Hama-chan:

Do you understand what I mean?

 

Yumi:

???

 

Hama-chan:

This is a famous joke. DHMO is actually H2O , water.

When I hear about people talking negative about silicone, I always think about this joke.

If someone say that 98% of criminal eat bread, you don’t feel like eating bread.

However, silicone oil is not bad for your health.

 

Yumi:

I see…

 

Hama-chan:

Before people said silicone makes pores in scalp stucked, however it is scientifically proved not to be true.

You heve never heard about people losing hair because of sunbloc which contains a lot of silicone! Some people talk about the affect to perm and color, but hair dressers can deal with those easily.

By the way, most of shampoo in the Japanese market does not contain silicon, anyway.

 

Yumi:

Oh really?

 

Hama-chan:

Silicone makes your hair smooth without damaging. So, you can choose to use silicone containing products instead of thinking if it is good or bad.

 

Yumi:

OK, thank you for your lecture today. It would be great if you could give us extra lessons.

 

 

 

Lecturer: Yuichi Hamaguchi

Hair Salon: Cura