If you enjoy styling your hair but are also preoccupied with keeping it healthy, you may be wondering whether hairspray is bad for your hair. If so, you will be happy to learn that this fixating product is generally safe and doesn’t harm your strands if applied correctly [1].
While it is true that a few decades ago, hairspray could contain harmful substances, some of which could hurt your lungs, damage your hair or even cause cancer [2-5], nowadays things have changed. That is because new cosmetic regulations have forced manufacturers to replace components deemed unsafe for consumers [4].
However, while it is not known to cause hair loss or significant damage to your strands with typical use, hairspray can still cause some minor hair problems when applied too frequently or improperly. The most common of these are causing build-up, dry, brittle hair or scalp irritation [1].
Keep reading this article to find out more about:
Hairspray is a styling product frequently used to lock your hairdo into the desired shape and provide your hair with additional volume. It usually contains film-forming polymers, solvents (alcohol or water), propellants (substances that help the fluid leave the container), additives (silicones, vitamins, UV-protectors) and fragrance [4].
This hair product works by coating your strands in a fine film of styling and fixating polymers (molecules composed of many repeating units, which give them high molecular weight). These polymers (e.g. polyquaternium-11, polyquaternium-4, polyvinylpyrrolidone) are water-soluble, which means they dissolve easily when you wash your hair.
Several types of these molecules are often combined in a hairspray, to achieve the desired hair hold, bounce, volume, non-clumping, flexibility, moisture resistance and airiness [6]. To achieve fixation, polymers deposit on the surface of the hair, causing strands to be attracted to one another. Then, they dry to create strong, clear films between your strands, similar to spot welds, locking them in the desired position.
The resulting bond is strong, yet flexible, allowing the hair to move and look natural, but at the same time maintaining your desired style. The hold hairspray has on your strands typically lasts until the spot welds are dissolved in water (e.g. by washing your hair) or they are mechanically broken (e.g. by strong wind or brushing your hair vigorously) [1][6].
If applied correctly and not overused, most commercially available hairsprays are relatively harmless to your hair. That is because increased oversight in the cosmetic industry has led to the removal of dangerous chemicals, which have been replaced with safer alternatives. However, if you use hairspray frequently and/or in large quantities, it may have some negative impact on your hair and scalp, as follows:
There are several ways to classify hairsprays, according to their various characteristics. Here are some of the most common:
Based on the type of hold it can provide your hair, hairsprays can be:
There are two main mechanisms which help your hairspray leave its container and be pulverised onto your hair:
Depending on the substance they use as a carrier for the hair-fixating fluid, there are two major kinds of hairspray:
If used appropriately, hairspray should not normally cause any damage to your lungs. In the past, inhaling its aerosols regularly could indeed cause buildup in your airways, trouble breathing, coughing and pulmonary issues [5]. However, since the tightening of regulations regarding the type and amount of volatile organic compounds hairspray is allowed to contain, lung issues caused by inhaling its droplets have become very rare [4].
In recent years, much more thorough regulations and verifications have been set in place for cosmetic products in the Western world and most substances that can cause cancer have been replaced with safer alternatives. That is why it is unlikely that your hairspray contains carcinogens.
However, if you purchase this type of hair product from a part of the world where such regulations don’t exist or are not enforced, there is some risk that it could contain substances that may increase your risk of developing cancer, such as benzene, vinyl chloride, and methylene chloride [9]. If you want to be on the safe side, opt for non-aerosol hairspray, as most of these harmful substances are used as propellants.
Since there are many kinds of hairspray, the best thing you can do is to read and follow the instructions on your product. However, here are some general tips on the best way to apply this product:
Here are some of the most common things to avoid when applying hairspray to create your favourite style:
If you would like to try other types of products that can hold your hair in place without having to spray them on, you can always use one of these options [1]:
While hairspray is mostly safe to use in styling, there are hair products that can cause more significant damage with overuse. For example, frequently using bleach or hair dye can cause hair loss. That is because these harsh chemicals can penetrate the hair shaft, affecting its structure and making it easy to break off. Moreover, certain stronger formulations can irritate your scalp and even cause hair shedding from the roots.
As a rule, it is a good idea to avoid frequent use of hair products that contain the following substances, as they can harm your hair and scalp:
If you are experiencing hair thinning and are unsure whether it is caused by the hair products you use, it is best to book a consultation with a trichologist. That is because while certain chemicals in shampoos and styling products can make your hair fall out with overuse, this condition could also be the result of a type of alopecia, such as androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium or alopecia areata. And while some of these conditions resolve on their own in time, others can progress to the point where they can become difficult to manage.
A trichologist will examine your hair and scalp and may request blood tests for hair loss to ensure that they can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and the best hair loss treatment for women (or, by case, the most efficient hair loss treatment for men). If your hair thinning is caused by overuse of styling products that contain harsh chemicals, they will recommend a safe, healthy, personalised hair-care regimen that is designed specifically for your hair type.
However, if it is the result of alopecia, you will receive adequate treatment recommendations, such as taking Minoxidil, using a derma roller for hair growth or undergoing red light therapy for hair growth. Taking therapeutic action from the first signs of hair thinning and balding can significantly increase your chances of curbing your hair loss and achieving strand regrowth.
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