Hairspray can typically really feel like a little bit of a miracle product with its capacity to deal with many alternative jobs. It tames flyaways, provides quantity, and retains your coiffure in place for hours on finish. However as with all product on the market (and particularly one you employ usually), you could be questioning: Is hairspray unhealthy on your hair?
That is a good query to ask contemplating the product typically makes your hair really feel arduous to the contact. However fortunately, in accordance with two consultants, hairspray typically is not problematic when utilized in moderation. That mentioned, there are a number of key components you must take note to ensure your hair and scalp keep wholesome. Under, a hairstylist and board-certified dermatologist weigh in on hairspray’s potential impression in your hair and scalp and how one can use it in your routine safely.
Meet the Professional
- Dawna Jarvis is an expert hairstylist based mostly in Los Angeles, California.
- Might Corridor, DO, is a double board-certified dermatologist at Jennie Stuart Dermatology.
How Hairspray Works
An enormous cause why hairspray is so efficient at retaining strands simply the way in which you need them is as a result of it accommodates polymers that work arduous to get the job carried out. Inside a hairspray product, the polymers are dissolved in a solvent, like water or alcohol. Once you spray the product in your hair, the solvent evaporates, forsaking a movie of polymers that bind totally different strands of hair collectively and maintain your hair in place. “Once you spray it on, the liquid rapidly evaporates, forsaking this movie,” says Dawna Jarvis, an expert hairstylist.
The Completely different Sorts of Hairsprays
- Aerosol: “These give a tremendous, even mist and are nice for all-over maintain,” Jarvis says. That is typically how a typical hairspray bottle will work.
- Non-Aerosol Pump Sprays: “These are extra eco-friendly and infrequently present a stronger maintain,” Jarvis says. “[Non-aerosol pump sprays] had been extremely popular within the 80’s and 90’s.” Nevertheless, we’re seeing increasingly more manufacturers carry this format again for higher environmental requirements and better high quality maintain.
- Dry Texture Sprays: “These add quantity and texture together with gentle maintain,” says Jarvis. “Dry texture sprays don’t give a stiff maintain like conventional hairsprays.” Typically, individuals attain for this kind of product to create extra tousled or undone appears.
Is Hairspray Dangerous for Your Hair?
“Sparsely, hairspray is just not unhealthy on your hair,” says Might Corridor, a double board-certified dermatologist at Jennie Stuart Dermatology. “Nevertheless, if used excessively or too regularly it might injury or weaken your hair strands.” She explains that many hairsprays are formulated with alcohol-based substances. That is what helps them dry rapidly, however also can trigger issues like dry hair or a dry scalp, particularly in the event that they’re used regularly. “Repetitive use could make your hair brittle and dry,” says Corridor. “The alcohol contained in hairspray also can bind to oils in your scalp which may make you extra vulnerable to dandruff and buildup.”
One other downside you possibly can run into with hairspray is the additional build-up that may happen if you happen to do not wash your hair usually. Jarvis notes that this may trigger your hair to look boring or really feel stiff. Combining warmth and hairspray can be problematic. “Overusing scorching instruments with hairspray can also be damaging,” she provides. “Consider all that built-up alcohol in your hair now being heated up by a scorching software. This may be unhealthy on your shade. When the hairspray is heated, it might depart a burnt-looking shade, particularly on blondes.”
Find out how to Safely Use Hairspray
Listed here are 4 suggestions for utilizing hairspray in a means that is safer on your hair.
Watch How Typically You are Utilizing It
The very first thing to bear in mind with hairspray is to make use of it sparingly. Specialists share {that a} gentle mist is commonly sufficient, particularly with firm-hold sprays. It will save your hair from sitting in any additional or pointless product. Use a small however intentional spritz!
Do not Maintain the Canister Too Near Your Hair
“When utilizing hairspray, maintain the canister a secure distance away out of your scalp and spray solely in your hair,” suggests Corridor. “Spray in a well-ventilated room and don’t apply excessively.” Jarvis recommends holding the canister about 10-12 inches away out of your hair when spraying and avoiding direct contact together with your scalp.
Attempt an Alcohol-Free Formulation
In case your hair tends to be dry, the very last thing you need is to make use of a product that can solely suck out extra moisture. On this case, Jarvis suggests searching for alcohol-free formulation. However take note they will take longer to dry submit software.
Wash Your Hair
Do not forget to clean your hair on the finish of the day to take away any hairspray you utilized earlier. “When you do have hairspray in your scalp or in your hair, make sure you wash it out with a mild shampoo to keep away from buildup,” Corridor says. Moreover, you would possibly think about using a clarifying shampoo as soon as every week if you happen to usually use hairspray.
Alternate options to Hairspray
Must you wish to decide out of utilizing hairspray altogether, there are a number of different choices you can attain for. Simply do not forget that each product would possibly give barely totally different outcomes relying in your hair sort.
- Non-Aerosol Hairspray: In response to Corridor, these provide maintain with out damaging your hair long-term.
- Dry Shampoo: “Dry shampoos can typically restore quantity to hair with out the necessity for extra hairspray,” Corridor says. That is particularly good for conditions the place you wish to solely add additional raise on the roots.
- Texturizing Powders: In response to Jarvis, texturizing powders are nice at offering These quantity and light-weight maintain. You possibly can apply the powder immediately solely your hair with both a fluffy brush or puff.
- Styling Lotions: For types that require added definition and medium maintain, Jarvis recommends styling lotions. That is perfect for many hair varieties and works particularly nicely for slicked-back types.
- Sea Salt Sprays: Whereas Jarvis factors out that sea salt sprays will not provide as a lot maintain as a conventional hairspray, they might help you obtain a beachy texture.
The Last Takeaway
Hairspray typically is not problematic when utilized in moderation. In any other case, it might trigger brittle hair, dry strands and scalp, and boring, stiff hair. You can too injury your hair if you happen to apply warmth after utilizing hairspray. Past utilizing hairspray carefully, it is also necessary to carry the canister 10-12 inches out of your hair whereas making use of. Keep in mind to clean the product out of your hair on the finish of every day. Lastly, think about using an alcohol-free hairspray if you happen to’re having points with dry hair or a dry scalp.
When you’re trying to swap your hairspray for one thing totally different, you would possibly wish to strive dry shampoo, a styling cream or texturizing powder, salt spray, or a non-aerosol hairspray. Must you nonetheless have any questions or issues about how hairspray is affecting your hair and scalp well being, attain out to a board-certified dermatologist or hairstylist for extra data.