Hairspray has been around since the 1920s and is still frequently used by people wanting to secure their hairdos today. One question on people’s minds, though, is: can hairspray cause hair loss? While most won’t assume that a little spritz here and there would lead to hair loss, the idea of too much hairspray causing some damage isn’t hard to believe. So, does it? Find out everything you need to know about the potential damage of hairspray and whether it can contribute to hair loss right here!
About Hairspray
Hairspray is a simple hair product that comes in an aerosol can. The idea behind it is pretty straightforward: a substance that can be sprayed onto the hair to keep the tresses in place. Hairspray has experienced highs and lows since it was first used; sales declined in the 1970s when straighter hairstyles were “in”, but then it experienced a huge revival in the big-hair-loving 1980s, at which point it was in nearly every teenager’s (and their parent’s) bedrooms! Even today, people consistently use this staple hair care product, and lots of brands, including L’Oreal, TRESemme, and Silvrikrin, have thrived in business thanks to its popularity.
So – Can Hairspray Cause Hair Loss?
On to the all-important question – does hairspray cause hair loss? The answer isn’t too straightforward. While it’s unlikely hair spray is the root cause of most cases of hair loss, using too much of the style-sealing stuff may lead to breakage and even weaken the hair follicles, causing the hair to fall out more easily. However, hairspray can’t actually lead to permanent hair loss – that is a myth.
Problems that Occur After Using Too Much Hairspray
To understand how hairspray may lead to hair loss, it helps to know the problems that occur if you use too much of it:
A Build-up of Product: Using too much hairspray without washing it out regularly will lead to build-up. This can clog the hair shaft and lead to a weakened hair follicle over time. Plus, the build-up of the product can also leave the scalp feeling itchy and irritated.
Brittle, Dry Hair: Hairspray is anything but hydrating. Some of the main ingredients include solvents, silicones, aminomethyl propanol, and butane. When you use too many of these types of ingredients on your hair, it will lead to dryness, which can lead to brittle strands that are more at risk of breaking off.
Irritation: Spraying too much hairspray near or on your scalp may lead to irritation. This is especially true if you use excessive amounts without washing it out regularly.
Breakage: Hairspray can lead to breakage, which may leave your hair looking thinner and shorter than before. Often, this happens if you try to brush through an extremely tight-hold hairspray without washing it out first.
As you can see, hairspray certainly isn’t something you should use without a second thought – not when it can lead to so much damage.
Why is Hairspray Damaging?
The main reason hairspray can damage your hair is due to the harsh chemicals in the bottle. Most hairsprays contain a lot of alcohol, which essentially removes any moisture from the hair. If you touch your hair after using hairspray, you will be able to feel just how dry it is! You should also be aware that hairspray can be irritating and even cause respiratory issues in some people.
Should You Still Use Hairspray?
Don’t let all the fact that hairspray can be damaging stop you from using it when you need to – especially if you have healthy hair! Hairspray can be an excellent styling product that helps you retain your hairstyle throughout the day. Problems typically arise when you use it excessively.
How to Use Hairspray Properly
If you want to keep hairspray on your dressing table, you should know how to use it so that it won’t cause too much damage.
Use a Good Quality Hairspray
Before anything else, choose a genuinely high-quality hairspray that isn’t too drying. Of course, you’ve got to be realistic – hairsprays are drying by nature, so you’re not going to find one that actively nourishes and hydrates the hair. However, some hairsprays are undoubtedly better than others. One hairspray that works for dry hair is the Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray. If you want a strong hold, you can keep a more intense hairspray to use for special occasions, but avoid using it daily, as it will dry out your hair.
Don’t Over-Spray
The key here is not to use too much. You don’t require as much as you might think to keep your style in place, so spritz less than you assume you’ll need and see how you go. The less you use the stuff, the less drying it will be.
Spray at a Distance
Avoid spraying the hairspray too close to your strands (or scalp!). Ideally, keep the aerosol can over 6 inches away from the head, although even further would be better. It sprays fairly far, so you’ll still get the benefits!
Only Spray on Dry Hair
Don’t begin spraying your strands as soon as you have stepped out of the shower. Not only is this unhelpful for keeping a style in place, but it can also lead to your hair feeling crunchy.
Wash Out Thoroughly
While many hairsprays claim to be ‘brush out’, don’t use that as an excuse not to wash out the hairspray, especially when you have a build-up. Over time, hairspray can cause a build-up in your hair and clog the hair shaft and follicle – to avoid this, use your typical shampoo to wash it out and follow that up with a highly moisturising conditioner.
Use Other Moisturising Products
You shouldn’t have hairspray as your sole hair care product! While it works well for sealing hairstyles into place, you should include some more hydrating and moisturising products into your hair care routine, especially if you’ve experienced hair breakage after using hairspray. Nourishing hair masks and oils are helpful here – look out for ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, shea butter, and aloe vera.
What Other Products May Lead to Hair Breakage?
It’s not just hair spray! Many hair care products and styles can lead to hair breakage, particularly when used excessively. That includes:
- Hair Extensions
- Hair Dyes
- Sulphate-based Shampoos
- Heat Treatments
- Perms
Like with hairspray, that doesn’t mean you should never use these products or styling techniques – it’s all about knowing the potential risks and using them responsibly. For example, if you get perms, you should wait a minimum of three months between treatments. Also, if you suspect any of these treatments may be causing hair loss but you’re not 100% sure, you can use a hair track app to monitor hair loss/growth.
Have You Experienced Hair Loss?
A loss of hair can be really hard to deal with. Whether you’re experiencing a slight recession that you haven’t noticed before or a fully balding crown, you will likely want to do something about it.
If you have hair loss from a styling product like hairspray, the best thing to do is treat your hair well and be patient, as your hair will likely grow back once you stop using the stuff.
However, if your hair loss is more permanent, simply using some hair masks and waiting a while likely won’t suffice – you need an active hair loss treatment plan to help regrow your strands.
Solutions for Hair Loss
The good news is there are plenty of available hair restoration solutions out there that can genuinely boost hair growth. The one that works for you depends on several factors, including the type of hair loss you’re experiencing.
Hair Loss Medications: The two most popular hair loss medications are minoxidil and finasteride – minoxidil can be used by men and women, while finasteride is a men-only medication. Both medications have been proven to improve hair growth in people experiencing hair loss.
Low-level Light Therapy: LLLT is a hair restoration treatment that aims to stimulate the hair follicles to boost growth. It’s pretty effective, with studies reporting that it can stimulate growth in those who have experienced hair loss. [2]
PRP: PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma and is a minimally invasive procedure that promotes hair growth. It works by taking the plasma from a person’s body and then using it in injections on the scalp.
Hair Transplants: Hair transplants are very sophisticated in this day and age – they aren’t nearly as invasive as they once were. The best hair transplant is FUE (follicular unit extraction), which works by taking individual hair follicles from a healthy section of the scalp and then transplanting them to the balding section.
Can Hairspray Cause Hair Loss? Summary
So, the answer to the question, ‘Will hairspray cause hair loss?’ is no, not directly, although it can cause dryness, brittleness, and even breakage. If you’re a regular hairspray user and want to take care of your strands the best you can, learn how to use hairspray properly and wash it out when you can – that way, you can still enjoy healthy hair while using the stuff.
Have you experienced more permanent hair loss and are looking for a solution? We provide industry-best hair transplants here at Harley Street Hair Clinic, so get in touch to get started today, or check out our patients gallery to see what we could do for you.
Sources:
- https://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/product/hair-sprays/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8906269/