Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: Silicones vs natural oil

  1. #1
    Member ErinLeigh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Age
    52
    Posts
    2,182
    Type
    2a/F/i/ii

    Default Silicones vs natural oil

    I need advice. I am sure there are a ton of threads on this topic but the advance search never works for me.

    I need direction. I do not know what to do for long care hair health.
    I have fine hair, slight wave, some of it straight, a few curls at temple. My hair is colored and has bleach highlights.
    Hair is very easily damaged. I would say lacks proper moisture, and snaps immediately when strand is pulled. I blow dry hair 3/4 times a week.

    I use natural oils but I also use silicones.

    I have been reading about mineral oil, cones and oils and all it has done is left me confused, I want to grow healthy hair. As healthy as it can be while still being colored and blown out.

    Do I need the cones for heat protection?
    If so how often should I clarify?
    Are cheap SLS shampoos enough to clarify so do I want to use a proper clarifying shampoo?
    Are SLS free shampoos enough even?

    Does anyone have advice to offer on what I should use to get hair in best shape. Can you tell me what you use and why?

    I would like to start incorporating some more co washes into my routine so I am wondering if cones are a good idea anymore. At the same time they do help make my hair look better.
    I do not want to get crazy and add oil and cones and get buildup too often.

    I need ideas, information and comments. What is you full routine and most importantly WHY? If you stopped cones, Can you tell me what old routine was and what you switched it to?

    Also, are certain oils enough to protect with blow drying? I read Grapeseed protects up to 400 degrees but I have not read and reviews or experiences. Does oil get to hot and fry hair from blow drying?

    PLease answer any you know answer to
    How does one use oil as antifrizz and heat protectant. Which oils are best?
    Do oils need clarified out also?
    Do silicones really dry out hair or build up? How often must one remove theses?
    Do oils seal as well as cones?
    Is mineral oil bad for occasional use? I read it is really good for heat styling but once it is on you must clarify to remove

    arrgh so much info and no experience stories. Google only takes me to ethic hair care via curly nikki and i do not know if I should be reading those types of regimes if they wont help my hair type.

    I am really really confused on how to take care of my hair. It is in fine shape but I want better since I do heat style and do use chemicals.

    Sorry if I am rambling. I have't slept in 2 days.
    Last edited by ErinLeigh; November 27th, 2013 at 03:24 AM. Reason: i have finally slept so had to edit to make sense
    Cut hair 11.06.2013 to CBL. Patiently waiting for it to grow back strong and healthy.
    Photo taken 12.04.2013

  2. #2
    Me Hairstorm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    CA
    Age
    58
    Posts
    4,630
    Length
    bob/80/termi
    Type
    1c/C/iii

    Default Re: Silicones vs natural oil

    Hi you have asked a lot of questions! I can't answer all of them, but a couple jumped out at me:

    Don't ever use SLS. SLeS is fine and gentle unless your scalp is allergic to sulfates, as mine is.

    Oil does not protect from heat. Think about it--if you put oil on your skin, would you be able to remove a pan from the oven without mitts? Of course not! Keep the dryer moving and at least six inches away from your hair to minimize damage.

    I wish you the best and hope someone who can answer more of your questions comes along soon. I struggles with cones vs oil too and I found my damaged ends did better with cones and virgin hair does well with either.
    Overall:1cCiii (Canopy 1bCiii; Front 3aCii; underneath 2bMiii) "...true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!" Sam Levenson

  3. #3
    Account Closed by Member Request
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Earth
    Posts
    3,426
    Length
    SL/BSL/BSL/W
    Type
    2a/F/i

    Default Re: Silicones vs natural oil

    Hi there,
    After reading your post, I would suggest clarifying (any sulfate shampoo without silicones works) and then do some serious moisture treatments. I think that if the hair strands are snapping, then they need moisture (and if the strand just stretches a lot and doesn't 'bounce' back, it needs protein) Someone correct me if I'm wrong though. I would focus on doing smt-type treatments and then decide whether or not to stick with cones. Personally my hair is better without them, but as your hair is quite damaged, you may need them to give your hair the slip it needs to prevent tangling. But try to inject a lot of moisture before going back to them.

    If you decide to try co-washes, you can use cones still, and if you're not co-washing exclusively then I don't think build up will be a problem.

    Tbh though, if your hair is in bad condition, then heat styling will only exacerbate the problem.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    NJ, USA
    Age
    46
    Posts
    470
    Length
    Pixie/Bob/Waist
    Type
    1c/2a/M/ii

    Default Re: Silicones vs natural oil

    I was just wondering about 'cones. Why are they considered 'bad' by some? I just got a big old bottle of tresemme that does have dimethicone for cowashes and henna removal and just to have a large bottle of protein-free moisture around.

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Age
    47
    Posts
    361
    Length
    BSL/BCL/BCL
    Type
    1c/M/iii

    Default Re: Silicones vs natural oil

    I can tell you the routine ive developed that has given me the best hair of my life. I wash my hair 2 to 3 times a week. Before i wash i oil my hair with equal parts coconut and olive oil, let it sit at least an hour. I wash with neutrogena clean volume shampoo mixed with a pea size amount of coconut oil. I rinse, then soak my hair in suave daily clarifying conditioner while i finish my shower. Then i rinse and add about a nickel size amount of the same conditioner as a leave in. Then i smooth 3 drops mineral oil on my hair. Then i either blow dry warm, not hot, or air dry. If need be until the next wash i'll use batiste dry shampoo or if my ends feel dry ill spray them with watered down conditioner, same suave one, and rub a tiny amount of coconut oil over that. With this routine my hair is shiny and frizz free and i dont even want to heat style anymore because i love it the way it is, aside from the blowdryer. This is big coming from someone who just had to blowdry on hot and either flatiron or curl every time i washed my hair which was every other day. Thanks to the lhc and everyone here for helping me make these positive changes. I hope this might give you some ideas.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Age
    47
    Posts
    361
    Length
    BSL/BCL/BCL
    Type
    1c/M/iii

    Default Re: Silicones vs natural oil

    I forgot to add that ive gotten off cones because i felt they made my hair dry and crunchy and way too slippery, whereas oils i feel make the hair more silky rather than slippery. But thats just me.

  7. #7
    LHC FairyGodMum lapushka's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    68,927
    Length
    Chin/Class/Class
    Type
    2b/2c/F/iii

    Default Re: Silicones vs natural oil

    You can use serums (coney) or oils. One isn't better than the other. A good moisture sealant is a few drops of mineral oil on the ends in lieu of a serum. Serums aren't bad at all, but I wouldn't use them for heat protection. I'd use those sprays especially designed for the purpose!

    You should clarify whenever you need to, whenever you feel your hair needs it (you'll notice soon enough). A cheap SL(E)S shampoo is more than enough for the purpose. You don't need some fancy schmancy shampoo.
    WCC method (washing) --- Rinse-out oil (MO) --- LOC/LCO method (styling)

  8. #8
    Huge Tolkien Nerd! Long_hair_bear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Rivendell
    Posts
    3,957
    Length
    bob/41.25/Term
    Type
    1c/2a/M/ii

    Default Re: Silicones vs natural oil

    First off, I wouldn't blow dry if your hair already breaks easily. As far as cones vs. oils, you have to do whats right for YOU! My hair is damaged and dry from my bleaching/dying years, so I need cones for their slip. I use coconut oil as a prewash. You can use oils and cones, but use caution. The amount of clarifying you need to do depends on how much product you use on your hair.

    “Some of the worst mistakes in my life were haircuts." - Jim Morrison
    "But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her." 1 Corinthians 11:15
    *UNICORN* Looking for Maxima Diamond Two toned Amethyst in Large

  9. #9
    Member Khiwanean's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Age
    36
    Posts
    537
    Length
    MBL/FTL+/???
    Type
    2b/F/M/ii

    Default Re: Silicones vs natural oil

    Quote Originally Posted by ErinLeigh View Post
    I need ideas, information and comments. What is you full routine and most importantly WHY? If you stopped cones, Can you tell me what old routine was and what you switched it to and again..WHY.
    My routine is probably of limited use to you, as I'm far wavier than you, but here goes. I CO, currently with Suave Naturals Eternal Sunshine. I use Tresemme Naturals Noirising Moisture as a second conditioner if my hair is feeling particularly uncooperative when I shower. I sometimes use coconut oil on my ends pre-wash. I don't clarify with any regularity, just as my hair starts to feel extra tangly and out of whack. I don't regularly SMT, but I've had good results from them in the past. I sometimes use Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition leave-in when my hair is damp or dry, if my hair is being poofy or I want more slip. I guess I'm really inconsistent with everything but the core wash.

    I've been cone-free in my normal routine for years now. My hair liked cones just fine, but my scalp seemed to dislike them something fierce. I also tend to get better waves with cone-free products. I don't really worry about it if I happen to use a product with 'cones in it while I'm not a home.

    Quote Originally Posted by ErinLeigh View Post
    --content snipped--
    Are oils enough to protect with heat styling? I read Grapeseed protects up to 400 degrees but I have not read and reviews or experiences. Does oil get to hot and fry hair?
    How does one use oils as antifrizz and heat protectant. Which oils are best?
    Does one prepoo before a co wash? Do oils need clarified out also?
    Do silicones really dry out hair or build up? How often must one remove theses?
    Do oils seal as well as cones? Is mineral oil bad for occasional use? I read it is really good for heat styling but once it is on you must clarify before conditioning again. arrgh so much info and no experience stories. Google only takes me to ethic hair care via curly nikki and i do not know if I should be reading those types of regimes if they wont help my hair type.

    I am really really confused on how to take care of my hair. Sorry if I am rambling. I have't slept in 2 days.
    Silicone is your best bet to protect your hair from heat. If you don't use anything too hot, oil could work like a hot oil treatment. I doubt oil with a hair dryer would fry your hair unless you have it crazy hot. You definitely wouldn't want to use oil with a flat iron. I'd say, if the heat is enough you wouldn't want it directly on your hand, stick with 'cones.

    Of oils I've tried, castor oil works the best for anti-frizz, but is also sticky and really easy to overdo, causing your hair to get stringy. I usually cut the castor oil with coconut oil when I use it and wear my hair pulled back. I don't use that often, as coconut tends to start to smell rancid when used near my scalp. Other oils might hold up better smell-wise. I don't use heat, so I can't comment on the best oils for heat protection.

    You can oil before COing. I'm guess that's what you mean by prepoo. It isn't strictly neccesary to oil before CO. YMMV with clarifying. I find conditioner works better than shampoo to remove oil without stripping my hair. I also don't clarify much.

    Silicones create a moisture barrier. This will lock moisture both in and out. If your hair is already dry, silicones may dry it out worse because moisture can't penetrate. If your hair is well moisturized, 'cones can help keep it that way. If you want to continue using 'cones, I'd recommend clarifying and then doing a moisture treatment before using 'cones again.

    Oils penetrate the hair, so they will require more frequent reapplication than 'cones, which just sit on the hair's surface. I've used mineral oil occasionally with no apparent ill effects, but it's never worked spectacularly for me either. Fun fact: I'm pretty sure it's mineral oil that left streaks on my sheets that glow under blacklight. I don't worry about clarifying unless my hair feels like it needs it.


    I hope that answered most of your questions.
    Wavy and loving it!

  10. #10
    Member ErinLeigh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Age
    52
    Posts
    2,182
    Type
    2a/F/i/ii

    Default Re: Silicones vs natural oil

    Thanks for the replies. I know it was lot of questions but I figured people can pick and choose the part the want to advise on so I will get a good degree of ideas.

    My hair is hard to describe. It damages easily but it not currently damaged. It only breaks if i intentionally strand test it, it is not breaking off in normal day to day mechanics. It looks fine by sight and touch..But it has to be dry or it wouldn't snap so fast.

    Since moisture is my issue and I want to be able to keep moisture in hair. That leads me to sealants.
    I guess my biggest confusions are sealing moisture/and how to remove the sealants. It is the one thing I cannot figure out if I am doing right.
    Mineral oil: great but no new moisture can come into hair. So it is enough to seal in what dampness i had? And will co wash remove it? Some say it requires SLS
    Cones: do they really dry hair out overtime
    oils: great for when staying home but have not mastered not looking greasy if going in public. Also if hair is not clean I assume they sit on any cones that may be in them.

    I think I am going to have to only use natural oils on the times i am cone free. And then when I use cones/mineral oil make sure to add a weekly or bi weekly shampoo and that is enough to remove any cone buildup.

    I am loving reading the hair routines by the way. I think its good to see all the different ways and options that are out there.
    Cut hair 11.06.2013 to CBL. Patiently waiting for it to grow back strong and healthy.
    Photo taken 12.04.2013

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •