This ingredient saved my hair

Summary

In this video, Michelle, a chemist, dives into the science of Amodimethicone, a special silicone that transformed her hair from damaged and rough to shiny and healthy-looking. She explains how its unique chemical structure works to target damaged hair, attract positive charges, and create a durable protective film. Michelle also shares her personal experience with Amodimethicone in various hair products, including conditioners, leave-in treatments, and sprays, highlighting some of her favorites and why they work so well. She also discusses alternative products and the challenges of finding the right formulations for her hair type.

Takeaways

• 😀 Amodimethicone is a type of silicone that helps to improve the appearance and feel of damaged hair, making it shiny and healthy-looking.
• 😀 Unlike other silicones, amodimethicone doesn't weigh hair down or build up, and it has special properties that help it work better for curly or damaged hair.
• 😀 The structure of amodimethicone includes amines and oxygen, which help it bind to damaged areas of the hair, offering a more durable and effective conditioning.
• 😀 Hair damage, such as from bleaching, creates negatively charged areas that attract the positively charged amodimethicone, making it effective for repairing damage.
• 😀 The key advantage of amodimethicone over other silicones is its ability to cross-link, forming a long-lasting, protective layer over the hair.
• 😀 Amodimethicone doesn't block hair from absorbing moisture and other ingredients, unlike some other silicones that can create a thick barrier.
• 😀 The product's formula is crucial, as the performance of amodimethicone in hair care products depends on how it's incorporated into the formula.
• 😀 Several products with amodimethicone, like Tony & Guy, Redken, and L'Oreal, provide noticeable improvements in hair condition, particularly for bleached or damaged hair.
• 😀 Leave-in treatments with amodimethicone, such as Redken and L'Oreal, work well for providing lasting conditioning and detangling.
• 😀 Despite its effectiveness, some amodimethicone-based products are discontinued frequently, causing frustration for consumers who rely on them.
• 😀 Alternative ingredients to silicones, like Lamela Waters and certain Quon ammoniums, are becoming more popular, but they don't last as long or work as effectively for highly damaged hair.

Q & A

What is amodimethicone and how is it different from other silicones?

Amodimethicone is a type of silicone that is unique because it contains amines, which make it positively charged in certain pH conditions. This gives it a better ability to bond to damaged hair, unlike other silicones, which can build up and weigh hair down. Its special structure helps it form a durable, protective film on the hair without causing excessive buildup.

How does amodimethicone interact with damaged hair?

Damaged hair tends to have a more negative charge due to the loss of natural oils and structural integrity. The positively charged amines in amodimethicone attract and bond to these negatively charged areas, allowing the ingredient to stick better and repair the hair's surface, making it feel smoother and less prone to breakage.

What role does amodimethicone play in protecting hair from damage?

Amodimethicone helps protect hair by forming a thin, durable film that shields hair from mechanical trauma during washing and styling. This film prevents further damage and reduces the appearance of roughness and split ends, especially on bleached or chemically treated hair.

How does amodimethicone help improve hair texture?

Amodimethicone smooths the hair's surface, which makes it appear shinier and feel softer. By forming a protective coating, it reduces the rough, straw-like texture often seen in damaged hair, making it look and behave more like undamaged hair.

Why is the formulation of products containing amodimethicone important?

The effectiveness of products with amodimethicone depends on how the ingredient is incorporated into the formula. The concentration and balance with other ingredients are key—just seeing amodimethicone on the label doesn’t guarantee a product will work well. A proper formula ensures it is distributed effectively and provides the intended benefits.

What is the F layer in hair, and why is it important?

The F layer is a thin, oily layer that naturally coats the surface of healthy, undamaged hair. It helps protect the hair and maintain its structure. When hair is damaged, this layer is compromised, leading to more exposed, negatively charged protein that makes the hair more fragile and prone to damage.

Can amodimethicone help reduce the stretching and breakage of wet hair?

Yes, amodimethicone helps reduce the stretchy, elastic feel of wet hair by forming a protective layer that minimizes hair breakage. This is especially beneficial for bleached hair, which tends to be more fragile when wet.

What are some recommended products with amodimethicone that Michelle likes?

Some of Michelle’s favorite products with amodimethicone include the Tony & Guy Volume Addiction Conditioner, Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner, and L’Oreal Everpure Bond Strengthening Conditioner. She also likes leave-in products like the Redken Acidic Perfecting Concentrate and Johnson’s No More Tangles Detangling Spray.

How does amodimethicone differ from other conditioning ingredients?

Amodimethicone is a more specialized conditioning ingredient because it bonds specifically to damaged areas of the hair due to its positive charge. Unlike other uncharged conditioning ingredients, it adheres better to damaged hair and provides longer-lasting protection.

What are the disadvantages of using amodimethicone in hair care?

One potential disadvantage of using amodimethicone is that it can sometimes cause buildup if not properly washed out, especially if overused. However, since it forms a thin, non-continuous film, buildup is generally not a significant issue. The main concern is finding the right formula that suits individual hair needs.