SLS free heat protection products for hair?

[shelldockley]

I never use products in my hair, but I think I need to start using something to protect from the heat of the hairdryer, something you put on when wet, any recs that are SLS free?

[Pumpkinette]

Most heat protector sprays are SLS free. It's the silicones that's the problem. SLS free shampoo isn't great at removing silicones so you can end up with product build up.
If you are willing to do a cleansing wash (with SLS based shampoo) every once in a while when you get product build up, then you should be fine to use any heat protector spray.

[shelldockley]

Thanks very much Pumpkinette, that's really helpful. Can you recommend a strong cleansing SLS free shampoo?
Is there such a thing as silicone free heat protection products? What about the Argan oil type stuff, would my shampoo struggle to wash oil out too?

[Pumpkinette]

I don't think there is a strong cleansing SLS free shampoo. I use my SLS free shampoo and once a month or so I use a normal shampoo to get rid of any product buildup.
Not sure about argan oil but I know coconut oil washes out with SLS free. Check the ingredients on your argan oil bottle as it might have silicones added to it.

List of silicones:
Dimethicone
Dimethionol
Amodimethicone
Trimethicone
Cyclomethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane

Also something called polyquatariums cause buildup.

But if the silicone has
PEG at the end then it is water soluble and can be washed out with SLS free shampoo. If a polyquatarium has a -2 or a -4 at the end it can also be washed out using SLS free.

[shelldockley]

Wow that's so helpful thanks! I never even thought about products being water soluble before so that's really helpful. I might try some coconut oil then, that might help protect from the heat. Thanks again!