Hairsprays, gels, mousses, setting sprays or dry shampoos… We use many hair products every day. And if the main players in the cosmetics industry are committed to purifying formulas when they can (and want), products intended for hair still lag behind on this level.
Therefore, when coupled with heat, in a small, poorly ventilated space such as a bathroom, could represent a health hazard. This is what was published in a recent study the magazine Environmental Sciences and Technologiesconducted by researchers seeking to determine the dangers inherent in their use.
The latter focused in particular on siloxanes. If you don’t know what they are, don’t panic, generally their name is not mentioned as it happens in the INCI lists of cosmetic products. These are simply silicones used very frequently by industry.
They are found in particular in lipsticks, deodorants and… hair products. While silicones are known to clog pores and create a film on hair, they are also classified as endocrine disruptors and are potentially toxic for reproduction according to the European Union.
Very toxic exposure for the respiratory tract
For this study to be valid, scientists had to measure air quality before and after the use of hair products associated with a heat appliance (straighteners, hairdryers, curlers, etc.). And what they found was surprising. And for good reason, the chemical composition of the ambient air would change rapidly after a styling episode until it became… unbreathable. A discovery that surprised Professor Nusrat Jung, professor at the Lyles School of Civil Engineering. The latter stated in a press release that he did not expect to see: “Such significant emissions of volatile chemical mixtures from commercially available products during the usual hair care routines that many people perform every day.”
You should know that the level of exposure can vary from person to person (depending on the length of the hair) but also on the temperature of the device used. As you might imagine, the longer the hair and the more intense the heat, the higher the rate of exposure. The study also specifies that the inhalation of siloxanes “may cause harmful effects on the respiratory tract, liver and nervous system of laboratory animals”.
But then how should you use these hair products?
Even if it is difficult to do without hair products completely, it is important to take the right precautions every day so that they are not toxic to the body.
According to the experiment conducted by scientists, Ventilating the room where you do your hair (via a fan or simply opening a window when you have one in that area) would eliminate most air pollutants. Under one condition of course: do it long enough. On average, at least 20 minutes of ventilation would be required to remove pollutants.
On the other hand, this process would release particles into the outside air, which is not ideal. Unfortunately, researchers have not yet found the solution to this problem and are continuing their research to better understand the impact of exposure to siloxanes on human health…
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
