Hairspray is one of those miracle products, as it can handle different styling jobs to keep flyaways tame while adding volume. You may use your one regularly and wonder: Is hairspray bad for your hair?
The short answer is no, when used in moderation. Still, some factors must be considered to ensure the health of your scalp and hair. It also helps to have some safe styling tips added to your arsenal.
What Is Hairspray?
Hairspray, made of fragrances, propellants, and polymers, has been used since the 1940s. It adds the final touch to a hairstyle and keeps hair in place. Furthermore, it is commonly used, and it is hard to imagine it is terrible for you. But it all comes down to how you use it.
How Does Hairspray Work?
All love Hairspray because it keeps hair strands in one place, which is made possible by the polymers.
When manufacturing hairspray, the polymers are dissolved in a solvent, such as alcohol or water. Once you spray it on your hair, the solvent evaporates, leaving a polymer film that binds the strands together and holds them in place.
The magic with hairspray is that the liquid evaporates fast once you spray it on your hair.
Different Types of Hairspray
On the market, you can find aerosol sprays that provide a fine mist for all-over hold.
Meanwhile, the non-aerosol pump spray is more eco-friendly and has a stronger hold. This type of hairspray was very popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
Then, a dry textured spray adds volume and texture to your hair with a light hold. It does not give a stiff hold like other hairsprays.
Is Hairspray Bad For Your Hair?
Hairspray is not inherently bad for hair, but its effects depend on how it is used. If misused, it can cause damage to the hair.
Therefore, several factors determine the answer, and to prevent damage, it ultimately comes down to taking specific steps to avoid this.
Thus, no matter which hairspray product you choose, it is helpful to research the ingredients and determine how often you can use them.
Make It Part of Your Hair Washing Routine
You can use hairspray daily, but always remember to wash it out as it can cause damage when left on the strands.
When left on for too long, the spray dries out the hair. We recommend incorporating deep conditioning into your hair routine to remove hairspray and restore moisture.
Neither should you leave hairspray overnight on your hair, as it will tangle and result in knots, and you will wake up with a rat’s nest.
Tip: If you don’t have time to wash your hair at night, sleep with a silk scarf to prevent it from knotting.
Still, if you use hairspray daily, incorporating a hair mask into your routine can help strengthen your hair. Gently massage the mask into your scalp and leave it on for a few minutes before washing your hair.
Brushing and Heat Styling
Avoid applying hairspray before using heat-protection products. The heat can impact the chemicals in the spray, and the damage is not worth it.
We recommend using hairspray after styling your hair to set it. After using your hairspray, avoid brushing your hair, as you may need to pull harder, which can result in breakage.
Keep an Eye on Harsh Chemicals
The biggest downfall of using hairspray is that some products contain harmful ingredients. Preferably avoid using ones with ethanol and alcohol, as they dry out the hair and break it.
Look for hairsprays with natural ingredients or those containing fewer harmful chemicals. These offer the same benefits and are less damaging to the hair. Choose one with biotin for added strength.
Benefits of Hairspray
Now that we have answered whether hairspray is bad for your hair and provide solutions, we can see that not everything is bad; it also has many benefits.
For one, hairspray can tame flyaways and help your style last longer. An excellent recommendation is to spray it under the top layer and fluff it up for added volume.
You can flip your hair over and spray it underneath for more volume. Hairspray is also great for curls, as it helps hold them for longer.
The best part is that using hairspray allows you to experiment with different styles and helps disguise oily hair, especially if you haven’t washed it.
6 Tips For Applying Hairspray
With the following tips, you can apply your hairspray without causing too much damage in the long run:
- Shake the bottle of hairspray before use, and hold it at least eight inches away from your hair.
- Avoid spraying too much. You want it to hold your hair in place without feeling like a heavy brick.
- Always spray your hairspray on dry hair, not wet hair, as damp hair makes it hard. The polymers will have a difficult time creating a hold.
- Use your hairspray to tame flyaways using your hands after spraying.
- Before use, ensure the nozzle is not clogged, as it must form a mist spray.
- If your scalp is irritated, avoid spraying hairspray directly onto it. Also, before using a new hairspray, always test it to ensure it does not cause an allergic reaction.
Hairspray Alternatives
While hairspray is excellent to use, you can find alternatives to help tame your hair:
- Mousse is another hair product you can apply to your damp hair for added volume when blow-dried.
- Hair gels, which can be applied to either dry or wet hair, are available with varying hold strengths and often contain glycerin.
- You can use hair waxes and clays to achieve a firm hold as they contain natural ingredients like beeswax.
- Other products are hair pomades, emulsions, and creams, depending on the effect you want to create.
Wrap-Up: Hairspray Is Not Bad For Your Hair
When used correctly, hairspray is not bad for hair. However, always research products before using them and choose the best for your hair.
Use your hairspray in moderation, as excessive use can cause damage. Wash out the hairspray after a long day.
Still, if you are unsure about using hairspray, we recommend consulting one of our stylists to discuss your concerns. We do more than just haircuts, styling, and coloring.
FAQ
Can hairspray harm your lungs?
When used correctly, hairspray does not harm the lungs. While regular inhalation of aerosols could have caused respiratory issues in the past, stricter regulations on volatile organic compounds have made such problems rare.
Can hairspray cause cancer?
With stricter regulations, hairspray cannot cause cancer if you purchase products from reputable sources that adhere to these rules. However, purchasing hair products from regions with less stringent regulations may expose you to harmful chemicals, such as benzene and vinyl chloride.
Does using hairspray have benefits?
The primary benefit of hairspray is that it keeps hair in place for an extended period. While some products may contain protective additives, they are unlikely to provide significant long-term benefits.
