Silicones as Conditioning Agents in Shampoos
January 1992
TLDR Silicones in shampoos make hair smoother, easier to manage, and reduce friction.
The study discussed the conditioning effects of various silicones in shampoos, focusing on their impact on hair surface characteristics and kinetic frictional coefficient. High molecular weight dimethicones significantly improved surface kinetic characteristics. Dimethicone copolyol with low hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) reduced the kinetic friction of wet hair by forming liquid crystals. Amodimethicone enhanced hair manageability by strongly adsorbing onto damaged hair cuticles, aiding in hair styling without the need for blow-drying.
