Amodimethicone Buildup: Silicone in Hair

What is Amodimethicone?

Amodimethicone is a type of silicone that is usually found in hair conditioners and hair masks. This amine – functionalized silicone is unique to other hair silicones like dimethicone. Amodimethicone is "lighter" than dimethicone, making it an ideal ingredient for those who are looking for a conditioner that won't weigh it down.

Amodimethicone works via electrostatic attraction –  allowing the polymers to attract to the damaged areas on the hair cuticle. Damaged cuticles usually have a higher negative charge, allowing the positive charged amodimethicone to bridge these damaged gaps. The end result is shiny hair that seems healthy. I need to put an emphasis on the word it "seems". These conditioning agents will give you temporary beautiful hair. The only way to legitimately fixed damaged hair is to trim it.

Too many negative charges, and your hair will have the tendency to tangle up

Is Amodimethicone Water-soluble?

Amodimethicone is somewhat water-soluble, with it being more water soluble than dimethicone. There is alot of talk in the curly hair community about amodimethicone and other hair silicones. Many curly hair types are following the "no sulfates" movement, where individuals use sulfate free shampoos to cleanse the hair. The fear is that hair silicones are unhealthy, interfere with hairstyles, and will eventually cause build-up on the hair and scalp. The only way to remove hair silicones is to use a sulfate-based shampoo.

Amodimethicone Buildup: Remove Amodimethicone

Removing amodimethicone – and other hair silicones – from your hair is pretty simple and straightforward. You will need a sulfate-based shampoo. However, if a sulfate-based shampoo is too stripping for your hair type, then you can make your own deep cleansing shampoo. Pour a bit of shampoo in your hand and mix in a teaspoon of baking soda. Use this mixture to shampoo the hair. The baking soda will open up the hair cuticles, allowing the shampoo to work even better. Shampoo the hair once again without any baking soda. You will have squeaky clean hair that is free of silicones. Use a silicone-free conditioner to replenish your locks, or do a white vinegar rinse to close the cuticles.

Instead of vinegar, you can also use something of similar PH levels. Like limes

I am a fan of amodimethicone in hair conditioners and hair masks. It leaves my wavy, multiracial hair
soft, shiny, and tangled free. However, I notice that using amodimethicone-based product on consecutive days, my hair will become limp - even greasy. Mixing baking soda and shampoo on my hair once a week helps "reset" my hair. I find that amodimethicone and other conditioning products work better after using baking soda to clean my hair. Do you use silicones? Vinegar rinse? Let me know how you use it!