Dimethicone is a silicone-based polymer widely used in haircare for smoothing, conditioning, and protecting hair. It coats hair shafts, locks in moisture, and enhances shine, though it can cause buildup, especially on fine or oily hair. Safe and hypoallergenic, it doesn’t repair damage but improves hair texture and manageability.
Ready to discover if dimethicone is really bad for your hair? Here, learn all about dimethicone — its benefits, downsides, use cases, and alternatives. You’ll find out which types of hair products contain dimethicone, which hair types it suits, and who should avoid using silicone-based conditioners.
Key takeaways
Dimethicone offers hair protection & shine. It forms a layer of film on the hair to reduce friction, smooth strands, and enhance gloss.
Dimethicone also helps hair stay hydrated by creating a breathable barrier that locks in moisture.
Hypoallergenic and non-toxic, dimethicone is a safe ingredient for most users. That said, there are reports of buildup associated with dimethicone. This can weigh hair down or irritate your scalp if overused.
Products containing dimethicone are best for those with dry, damaged, thick, wavy, or curly hair. It may be too heavy for people with fine or naturally oily hair.
There are plenty of effective alternatives to dimethicone, including other silicones and natural hair emollients.
Dimethicone is a type of silicone-based polymer that’s widely used in haircare products, thanks to its smoothing, protective properties. As a water-insoluble silicone, dimethicone helps the product glide over the hair for easy distribution and conditioning of the hair shaft [1].
Dimethicone is the most widely-used silicone in cosmetic products, as it’s the oldest and simplest of these ingredients [2]. It’s also hypoallergenic, colourless, and odourless, so it’s easy to add to a formula without compromising on its look, smell, and feel.
Dimethicone is generally used in conditioners and serums to help protect the hair, while also enhancing its texture and shine. Here’s why it’s a popular ingredient for hair products:
This all sounds great, but dimethicone isn’t a magic treatment for damaged hair. While it can improve texture, it won’t actually repair hair that feels like straw. And for some hair types, dimethicone can make your hair look greasy and limp.
While it’s often simply labelled a silicone, dimethicone is technically a silicone-based polymer. A polymer is a structure made up of a chain of repeating units. Dimethicone consists of chains of silicon (the element) and oxygen, which creates a unique structure that’s both flexible and stable simultaneously.
Carbon-based substituents (known as methyl groups) attach to the silicon units, giving dimethicone additional properties (such as water resistance).
Dimethicone molecules are too large to penetrate into the hair shaft. Instead, they sit on the surface of the hair, creating a film that coats the fibre. The viscosity of dimethicone varies from product to product, which can impact the effectiveness of the ingredient [3].
No, dimethicone isn’t inherently bad for your hair. It actually has lots of great properties that can be beneficial, especially if your hair is damaged, dry, curly, or thick.
That said, there are some cases when it’s best to limit how much dimethicone you apply, as it can make hair appear greasy or lank. This normally happens if you use too much product, or your product contains a highly viscous type of dimethicone. Thin, fine or oily hair is especially prone to the negative effects of dimethicone [1].
Unfortunately dimethicone isn’t normally quantified on product packaging, so you won’t know how much dimethicone it contains (or how viscous it is) until you use it.
There’s no evidence that dimethicone (or any silicones) can cause hair loss, even indirectly. So if you’re experiencing unexpected or unexplained hair loss, it’s best to look beyond your hair products for the reasons why your hair is falling out.
For women in particular, hair loss can be highly complex with many contributing factors, so it’s best to seek the advice of a trichologist. They can help you figure out the underlying causes and establish the best treatment for women’s hair loss.
Dimethicone itself is hypoallergenic and non-toxic, so it’s unlikely to irritate your scalp by itself [2]. However, because dimethicone repels water, it’s not easy to wash it away with normal shampoos. So over time, products that contain dimethicone can lead to scalp buildup.
Excessive buildup can make your scalp itchy and sore [5]. Left untreated, it can even lead to infection of the hair follicles, which may be painful and require lancing or antibiotics to treat.
Yes, dimethicone is mostly safe to use. That’s why it’s one of the most common ingredients in haircare and skincare products in the UK and elsewhere [6]. One study found that 62 dimethicone crosspolymer ingredients commonly found in cosmetics were safe at the levels they were used at [7].
Anecdotally, dimethicone (and other silicones) can get a bad rap. But it’s more likely that any issues are due to using heavy silicone-based products for already-oily hair types, or on very thin or fine hair.
While dimethicone can be good for your hair, it can build up on the roots and hair shafts if it’s not washed out regularly. This can irritate your scalp and make your hair look greasy.
Normal shampoos aren’t always equipped to wash out silicones, so if you’re using dimethicone-based products, you may need to use a clarifying shampoo regularly.
Clarifying shampoos use stronger surfactants to give your hair a deeper clean, lifting the cuticle slightly to dislodge any debris.
The conditioning, moisturising nature of dimethicone makes it well suited for those with the following hair types:
On the flip side, people with oily or greasy hair may benefit from a silicone-free conditioner (or at least a more lightweight formula).
If your hair is naturally fine (or starting to thin out a little), you may also want to limit the amount of dimethicone you apply to your hair. Too much silicone can weigh down your hair, making it appear lank and reducing the volume and buoyancy of your hair.
Dimethicone isn’t necessarily better than other silicones, but it does offer specific benefits that mean it’s more widely used than other options. It’s a highly effective hair conditioning agent, thanks to its ability to repel water, coat the hair shaft, and trap moisture within the fibre.
Conversely, some silicones have benefits over dimethicone. Dimethicone copolyol, for instance, is water-soluble, which means it’s easier to wash away (and therefore less prone to causing buildup) compared with dimethicone [1].
Amino-functional silicones like amodimethicone target and condition highly damaged areas of the hair shaft, which can be useful if the ends of your hair are particularly damaged, for example.
Dimethicone isn’t the only effective conditioning agent for hair, and others may be more appropriate for your hair or skin type. Here are some alternative conditioning ingredients to consider when shopping for hair care products.
This list is non-exhaustive, but gives you an idea of some alternatives to dimethicone that are out there. The type and texture of your hair is important when it comes to choosing the right conditioning agent.
Those with oily scalps who are prone to buildup may want to avoid certain silicones (like dimethicone) and replace them with dimethicone copolyol, hydrolysed proteins, or other agents that are easier to wash out. People with curly or coily hair may benefit from heavy conditioning agents (such as shea butter and coconut oil).
No, there’s no evidence that dimethicone can damage treated hair, whether it’s been bleached, dyed, or relaxed. In fact, one study has shown that dimethicone can reduce fading and colour changes in dyed or bleached hair [15].
If your scalp is tender, itchy, flaky, or sore, it’s easy to blame your hair products. But is the issue down to dimethicone, or a pre-existing scalp condition?
Scalp problems like dandruff, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis can be caused or exacerbated by product buildup. And because dimethicone is known to cause buildup on your scalp if you go too long without clarifying, it’s possible your conditioner could be contributing to the issue. Use a gentle clarifying shampoo to remove as much silicone from your hair and scalp as possible without aggravating your symptoms.
That said, other factors are normally in play. Many scalp conditions are caused by an overgrowth of the Malassezia yeast. This can often be treated with ketoconazole shampoo (which may also help with hair loss).
Without consulting a doctor, it’s hard to know exactly what’s causing your scalp soreness. Book an appointment with your GP or a qualified trichologist if your scalp is painful.
While it’s not a perfect ingredient, dimethicone isn’t a known cause of hair loss. So if your hair is falling out, your silicone-containing conditioner probably isn’t to blame.
Hair loss can stem from a range of problems, from nutritional deficiencies to stress to menopause. It’s very difficult to self-diagnose hair loss in women, so it’s best to check in with a specialist if you’re unsure what’s causing your hair to fall out.
Book a consultation at the Wimpole Clinic to get started. With locations all over the UK, you can get convenient treatment to restore your hair and make you feel confident in your appearance.
Learn more about dimethicone and hair conditioning in these frequently asked questions.
There’s no hard and fast rule; it depends on your hair type and texture, and how quickly dimethicone builds up on your hair and scalp.
If your hair is prone to greasiness and buildup, try clarifying your hair once a week. If your hair starts to feel dry, this may be too often, and you can dial it back to once a fortnight. For people with naturally dry hair, you may be able to clarify once every two to four weeks.
One of the main concerns with dimethicone and other silicones is their environmental impact. Because dimethicone and other silicones are washed away rather than dissolved in water, they tend to end up in water systems, damaging the surrounding ecosystems [16 ].
As a result, the EU has started to regulate the use of some silicones in cosmetic products (although this doesn’t yet include dimethicone).
Some consider dimethicone more eco-friendly than natural emollient agents, such as coconut oil and olive oil, because it’s less likely to contribute to similar levels of deforestation. However, it’s important to acknowledge that concerns have been raised among scientists about the long-term environmental impact of using dimethicone and other silicones in hair products.
Most research indicates that dimethicone is safe to apply to your skin. It’s hypoallergenic, colourless, and non-toxic, so it shouldn’t generally cause any harmful effects.
If you do experience any pain, numbness, or tingling after applying a product containing dimethicone, discontinue use.
Dimethicone isn’t known to have many serious side effects. The most common complaint among people who use dimethicone-containing conditioners on their hair is product buildup. This is normally resolved by regularly washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo.
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Dr Umear Ahmad (GMC: 6150115) graduated from Newcastle University Medical School in 2007 (MBBS) and has undertaken further postgraduate studies, obtaining a Masters in Health Research (MSc) and Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Education (PGC Clin. Ed.). Dr Ahmad undertook his junior doctor training in the Newcastle Upon-Tyne hospitals trust, which included time in cardiology, accident & emergency, general surgery and ENT, head and neck surgery.
Having trained in hair restoration in 2019 under the stewardship of world renowned hair transplant surgeon Dr. Akaki Tsilosani, Dr. Ahmad has now dedicated his career to FUE hair transplants. He has presented at international conferences and is a member of the International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS).
Dr. Ahmad’s ethos is to always strive to do the very best for every patient. That means taking a patient-centred approach and putting the patient at the forefront of everything that he does. He prides himself on being open and honest in helping patients make the correct decision, rather than simply advising everyone to have a transplant. He is focused on creating natural-looking, high-quality hair transplant results.
Dr. Ahmad endeavours to ensure that patients have a positive experience, from their initial consultation to the day of the procedure itself and throughout the aftercare process.
Aside from hair restoration, Dr. Ahmad is on the interview panel for Newcastle University’s undergraduate medical degree programme and also works for a charity called Freedom from Torture, undertaking medico-legal reports on a pro-bono basis.
Having undertaken a postgraduate diploma in clinical education, Dr. Ahmad is passionate about teaching. He currently supervises junior doctors in hospital, teaches medical students and has also trained doctors in hair restoration surgery.
