Do you know how many chemicals are in your hair products? Aerosol propellants, alcohol, carcinogenic polyvinylpyrrolidone plastic, and more words that nobody can pronounce. Why would we want to put this stuff in our hair? Especially since there are safer and better alternatives. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your safety for great-looking hair.Â
Hair Spray
There are quite a few people who have linked certain chemicals used in hair spray to different types of cancer. However, there doesn’t seem to be any case studies conducted for hair spray as a whole and its potential link to cancer.
Some chemicals that you should avoid to be on the safe side are carboxymethylcellulose, denatured alcohol, hydrofluorocarbon, polyvinyl alcohol, propylene glycol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. There is a factor to keep in mind. Prolonged exposure to hair spray can lead to lung parenchyma, also known as hair spray lung.
Hair Gel
While the use of hair gels doesn’t seem to be objectively bad compared to some of the other types of products, there is a concern that regular hair gels can potentially lead to hair loss.
The reason being that most hair gels tend to de-moisturize hair follicles and scalp. This can lead to the strands breaking off and falling out. To be on the safe side, I recommend avoiding the chemicals listed above and check out the natural brands listed below.
Hair Dye
There are many cool colors out there that we all want to try and see how it looks in our hair. I’ve dyed my hair plenty of times before, but I never really thought about what chemicals lie within the dye and if it has the potential to be harmful. The research that I found is not what I would hope.
According to a case study done, there may be an increased risk between hair dye and young women developing breast cancer. This study had 210319 test subjects and had 14 case studies. They compared permanent hair dye users and rinse hair dye users.
The study showed that these two types of hair dye users had an increased risk of breast cancer compared to the non-hair dye users. However, there was an insignificant relationship between breast cancer and semi-permanent hair dye users.
In addition, in order for hair dyes to properly work, there does have to be some chemical composition in the product. Still, there are chemicals that are less harsh than regular dyes. Look at some of the safer options down below.
Safe Solutions
Sugar-Based Hairspray. This hairspray is as sweet as sugar, oh wait. It is sugar! This natural hairspray uses a sugar-based formula that works just as well as regular hairspray without the potentially harmful chemicals. It’s compatible with all hair types and works on damp or dry hair.
Rahua Cream Wax. Plant-based ingredients that’ll keep its hold and shine in your hair. You can’t go wrong with plant-based products. They’ll work just as well while feeling safe with the products you’re using.
Naturcolor Permanent Herbal Based Hair Color Gel. This safe option comes in 31 colors, so you’ll find that perfect color for you in no time.
Ecco-Verde. This company has all of your natural hair styling needs. Their wide variety means you can try new products to your heart’s content all the while choosing a safer option for your hair. That’s what I call a win-win.
Better Products for Better Hair
You deserve to use products you feel safe about, instead of worrying about how those products could lead to potential harm. That’s why it’s never a bad idea to go for natural and safer products.
There are many other great brands out there, so let us know which ones are your favorites to use. We’re all about helping to promote brands that are doing great things for their industry.
What are your fave sustainable hair products? Tag us @uylmagazine on social media to share your favorites.
