Is hairspray bad for your hair? (Explained)
Every woman wants to use hairspray to keep their hair in place but doesn’t want to lose any hair.
Should your hairstyle be at the expense of your whole style? Is it possible that the sort of hairspray you’re using has something to do with it? Is it even necessary to use hairspray on your head in the first place? Keep your questions to yourself; you’ll find the solutions here.
There have been various hair loss myths concerning hair styling products and their link to hair loss and thinning; however, there hasn’t been any scientific data to back up the statement, so we’ll look at the ingredients in hairspray to see whether it may harm your hair.
Is hairspray bad for your hair?
There are just a few substances that may genuinely harm your hair, and none of them are found in hairspray. Something has to have damaged the hair follicle root for hair to fall out, and hairspray doesn’t have that power. Here are some of the most common reasons for hair loss that you should be aware of in addition to your hair spray:
1. Dandruff
Even though dandruff does not harm your hair directly, continuous irritation and scratching can cause temporary damage to your scalp and hinder the development of your hair. This effect is typically not long-lasting, so your shine will return in a short time. The source of dandruff, on the other hand, can influence whether or not hairs come back on your scalp.
Dandruff does not appear out of nowhere. Another underlying ailment or excessive use of certain hair products and styling agents are the most common causes. If you see dandruff on your head, get rid of it before it causes your hair to fall out.
2. Alcohol
Although there is no direct link between alcohol and alopecia, excessive alcohol use can lead to dehydration, hormonal difficulties, and nutritional deficiencies, all of which can affect the condition of your hair. If your style product contains alcohol, limit how often you use it since ethanol may cause hair to dry out, and most hairspray companies use it in big amounts because keeping the hair dry is the best method to keep it in place.
Your hairdo is another non-spray related behavior that might trigger hair loss.
3. Hormonal Shifts
Hormonal changes, which can happen at any moment in your life, are another factor that might cause hair loss. Hormonal changes might occur as a result of stress, sickness, or just becoming older.
4. Genetics
Just before you blame your hair loss on hairsprays, make sure no one else in your family is suffering from the same issue. It makes no difference what age you are or what hair type you have; genetics will take its course whether you use hairspray or not.
Is Hair Spray Linked to Hair Loss?
Hair loss takes place when the pace at which hair falls out exceeds the rate at which hair grows back. You might not notice until you have a patch of thin, sparse hair, or you could notice as you lose more hair.
Damage to the hair follicles is one of the most common reasons for hair loss. Hair grows from small holes in your skin called hair follicles. The root is at the bottom of the follicle and develops one hair per follicle, which will ultimately fall out and regrow.
Physical conditions can disturb the follicular cycle, leading hair to shed early or the follicle to stop generating hair completely.
Hairspray cannot affect the hair follicle directly, hence the most common reasons for hair loss are hormone imbalances, physical injury to the follicles, and even heredity.
Hairspray cannot cause hair loss in and of itself, but it can cause damage, dryness, and scalp problems, all of which can increase shedding or pre-existing follicle problems.
What Are The Signs That It’s Time To Stop Using Hairspray?
If you use hairspray on a regular basis, you may have symptoms such as:
- Scalp Irritation
- Itchy Scalp
- Skin Flaking/Dandruff
- Product Buildup
It’s probable that hairspray is to blame for these problems. When hair is not thoroughly washed and cleaned, product build-up occurs, leaving residue on the scalp and roots.
Hairspray and other hair-coating products can cause build-up, itching, and irritation of the scalp.
If you have any of these symptoms, it could be recommended to avoid styling products. Instead, concentrate on fundamental hair care and utilize natural, chemical-free products.
What are the options for dealing with hair loss?
You may have been given various options, none of which have worked for you. The fact is that there are just a few options for dealing with hair loss.
1. Scalp Micropigmentation
Since it eliminates the stress of applying, reapplying, and repeating the application procedure of creams and other self-proclaimed hair loss remedies, SMP is one of the greatest and even many men’s favorite hair loss solutions. Women’s scalp micro pigmentation is done somewhat differently, but the results are fantastic.
Your hairlines will be nicely outlined if you get your SMP done by a trained expert, and you won’t have to worry about what hairstyles to do at any moment. The treatment covers your scalp surface with microscopic tattoo dots that provide the illusion of hair follicles and works for all hair colors. Does scalp micro pigmentation appear to be genuine? Absolutely!
2. Hair Transplant
This method is more akin to hair transplant surgery, in which hair is removed from one place of the body and transplanted to another.
What Are Your Other Options for hair Spray ?
There are alternatives to hairspray for women who are concerned about using it but still want to style their hair.
You can make various DIY organic hair sprays using things you already have in your home!
The following are some of our favorite hairspray substitutes. Take a look at these!
1. Sugar Spray
Why not make your own hair spray that isn’t harmful to your hair or the environment?
Don’t worry, doing it at home won’t take much work or time. Sugar, you have all you need in your pantry!
Sugar cane is thought to improve the texture of your curls. A sugar spray can also benefit your scalp by exfoliating it and eliminating dead skin cells and dandruff particles.
If you have a dry, itchy scalp, this might be useful!
The greatest thing is that sugar sprays are a less expensive, healthier, and environmentally friendly alternative to hair spray.
Follow these instructions to learn how to make sugar spray for hair:
- In a saucepan, heat almost a cup of water.
- Stir in the sugar until it dissolves completely.
- We recommend using two or three tablespoons of sugar, but you may add a little more if you want the hairspray to have a firmer grip.
- Remove the mixture from the heat once all of the sugar has dissolved and set it aside to cool.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture (lavender, eucalyptus or tea tree oils are a good choice)
- Fill an empty spray bottle halfway with the mixture.
2. Andalou Spray
Here’s how to produce your own organic hairspray at home:
- In a saucepan, bring two cups of water to a boil.
- Cut up a whole citrus fruit and toss it in.
- Allow the water to boil until it is reduced to half its original volume. Allow the liquid to cool before adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
- Use this liquid as a texturizing spray by pouring it into a spray bottle.
- You can even add a tablespoon of vodka to this DIY hairspray to extend its shelf life.
3. Shea Butter
Shea butter is one of the most popular substances among curly females worldwide. However, one feature that may go unnoticed is its capacity to offer a good level of grip for your curls when applied as a pomade instead of hairspray.
Ingredients
Concentrates, propellants, luster agents, scents, plasticizers, and other slightly harsh chemicals are used in hair sprays to keep your hair in place.
Every hair spray product you buy contains propellants such as butane, propane, isobutane, and others. These are hydrocarbons that were launched to replace CFCs, which were prohibited due to their harmful effects on the ozone layer.
Other substances may be used by certain manufacturers in their hair sprays, but these are the ones you’ll most likely find in the majority of them.
Before picking hairspray, I would check the ingredient list.
I’ve added some helpful hints below:Alcohol is available in a variety of types. Ethanol-based hair sprays can be very damaging to your hair because they dry it out. It’s possible that this chemical will irritate your scalp. Other alcohols commonly found in shampoos include stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, and cetyl alcohol. They will aid in the moisturization of your hair.
Repeated use of hairspray between washes may lead some brands to generate layers of dandruff-like particles that flake off, causing a build-up of hairspray to become an issue for you. Even though these microscopic white flakes are not dandruff, they might fall on your scalp or shoulders, giving you the look of dandruff.
Hair spray works by forming polymers that adhere to your hair and coat it. If you use too much hairspray, you may notice that your hair becomes dull instead of shining. A hairspray containing vitamin E or panthenol, silicone, or sodium PCA will assist your hair retain hydration and gloss.
If you get an allergy to a hairspray, as in an itchy scalp, cease using it right away. Look over the ingredients to see if you can figure out which one is causing you problems. It’s also critical to keep your hair healthy, and the easiest method to do so is to wash and condition it on a regular basis.
Hairspray Chemicals
Chemists produce a balanced mixture for a hairspray that will keep the hair in place while being lightweight, effective, and kind on the hair and scalp.
A solvent is required to transport the polymers that hold hairstyles in place within the hairspray. The most popular solvents are water and ethanol, albeit water can damage metal cans.
Silicones and other related compounds are commonly used as additives to assist give the polymer flexibility.
This allows the hair to be kept in place while yet being able to move without breaking the film created by the spray.
Many may also prevent interior can corrosion, allowing hairspray to last longer in the can.
However, ethanol is extremely drying to the skin, particularly the scalp, and can lead to problems if used in large quantities or too frequently. Strong alcohol ethanol is frequently used in combination with silicones, polymers, and other substances.
When used on a frequent or excessive basis, this might make some hair types exceptionally dry, frizzy, or even damaged.
What Is the Function of Hairspray?
Hairspray is used to retain a style in place as well as add volume, texture, and keep flyaways at bay.
Polymers cover the hair when hairspray is applied, allowing the texture and structure to be maintained. Hair can become dull rather than shining when used in excess, both in terms of volume applied and consistency of application.
To lessen the appearance of dullness, use hairsprays that contain chemicals like vitamin E, panthenol, and silicone. Hairspray should be applied a few inches away from the hairline, according to the correct recommendations. This can help prevent a sloppy finish and subsequent growth.
Newer hairspray formulas have become more versatile in recent years. This means that instead of having a hard, unchanging finish, you may alter the style by brushing through hairspray. Allowing the product to fully dry before brushing through is vital to eliminate limpness.
Elnett hairspray from L’Oréal is one of the greatest solutions for setting hair without sacrificing shine or movement. This product has received some of the greatest ratings in the cosmetic business, and it is considered to be free of build-up and dryness.
Takeaway
Hairspray is known by many different names and comes in a variety of forms. There are several sorts for various purposes, but the end goal is the same in all of them: to produce, hold and establish the hairdo.
Hairsprays frequently come with instructions on how to use the product on the back of the package. Hairspray comprises a lot of chemicals, and chemicals always cause some kind of damage. However, if a product is utilized according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the damage should be minimal.
Hairspray’s negative effects can readily be addressed. If you notice that a certain hairspray is causing your hair to become dry, add a conditioning product to your daily routine to nourish and preserve your hair.
Some hair sprays are better for curly hair, while others are better for straight hair. It is advised that you properly examine a product before using it and that if you are dissatisfied with the results, you switch to a different brand.
