Hairspray is a cosmetic product used to hold hair in place. There are different brands and formulations available in the market, each containing a different blend of ingredients. The product contains some chemical ingredients which are associated with adverse health effects in some instances.
Orissa POST interacts with hair stylists and doctors who suggest the minimal use of the product is best for hair as well as for health.
Bhubaneswar-based hair stylist Madhu Chahal said, “Use of spays helps soften hair. Some hairspray products are often used as gels to bind loose hair together. Once you spray the stuff, there isn’t much room for you to brush through the hair to alter your hairstyle, without your hair getting pouf-y and frizzy, anyway. Switching back to normal look mode requires a shower to rinse that product out of your hair, making it pliable once again.”
“Now, hairsprays are formulated to be flexible, meaning they provide a light grip without making your hair stiff, crunchy, and totally immobile. A western formula uses elastic fibre to maintain pliability while providing a hold and it can be used on wet and dry hair. Ensure to wash hair thoroughly after applying the cosmetic product once in a while,” she added.
Dr. Anita Singh of Cuttack say, “Hairspray contains a group of active agents — polymers and solvents — in addition to one or more propellants. It usually comes in a container with a pump or aerosol nozzle. Polymers are responsible for hairspray’s glue-like effect, while solvents are used to dissolve the ingredients into a solution.”
“Before the 1970s, hairspray contained the chemical vinyl chloride, which served as a propellant in aerosol cans. According to the National Institutes of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, vinyl chloride is a known carcinogen linked to angiosarcoma of the liver. Even more troubling is that manufacturers were aware of vinyl chloride’s toxic effects for nearly a decade before removing it from the market. The propellant that replaced vinyl chloride—methylene chloride—was later recalled due to similar carcinogenic results. However, it is not known whether ingredients currently used in hairspray are safe,” she added.
Additional Risks
While the suggested adverse effects of hairsprays are, its immediate dangers include fire and personal injury due to their flammability and one should keep away from direct sources of heat. Some doctors are of the opinion that inhaling denatured alcohol, hydrofluorocarbons and other hairspray material can lead to poisoning or show symptoms such as low blood pressure, irritation and breathing difficulties among other things. IANS