Q: The benefits of silicones are well established. How safe are they?
A: Silicones are some of the most harmless and gentle ingredients known to man, as nearly 70 years of research and consumer use history prove. Because the incidence of allergies is extremely low, hospitals rely on silicone-based dressings for wound care. The needles are silicone-coated to enhance durability and clarity, and provide lubricity. In the consumer market, over-the-counter skin protectants and silicone scar patches are FDA-approved to prevent scarring.
Q: One oft-expressed concerns regarding performance is weighing the hair. Can you explain this phenomenon?
A: It started in online forums with initial complaints about silicones weighing on long hair. This problem can be attributed to the overuse of 2-in-1 shampoos, which contain very high molecular weight silicone gels and cationic polymers to enhance the deposition of these gels. Apparently, 2-in-1 shampoos aren’t as popular as they once were (at least for women with long hair), and the market has changed dramatically since then. However, due to widespread alarm, the current need for silicone-free remains.
