Does Hairspray Cause Hair Loss?

Talk of hairspray's possible link to hair loss has made many customers wary of the product. With its chemical taste and smell, it isn't hard to understand the speculations around hairspray and its potential consequences. Something that unnatural surely isn't healthy for your head, right? Well, for your convenience, we have brought you the answer.

Thankfully, it is just a myth that hairspray causes hair loss. This is because hair loss has much more to do with the follicles under the skin than the hairs themselves. However, there are many real reasons for hair to fall out. These can include stress, frequent tight hairstyles, nutritional deficiency, and certain medications such as blood thinners.

Not enough information? Well, we've got you covered. Not only will we be addressing all of your other hairspray concerns, but we will also dive deeper into each of these common causes of hair loss so that you know just what to really watch out for.

A woman at salon getting hairspray done after curls, Does Hairspray Cause Hair Loss?

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Does hairspray damage hair follicles?

Follicles are the starting points of hairs. They are the little bulbs under the surface of the skin that anchor the hair in place. This is also where all of the hair growth occurs. For something to have any lasting effect on the wellbeing of your hair, it would have to make its way down to these follicles.

Detailed medical vector illustration of growth and structure of human hair

Since hairspray is applied to the hair shaft, the part above the surface, it should not have any lasting effect on the growth of your hair. However, it can become a problem if you aren't washing your hair regularly. This is because hairspray can build up and trap other potentially dangerous products that may seep into the follicles.

Nonetheless, as long as you wash your hair regularly and use other quality products on your head, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Is it bad to use hairspray every day?

Smiling black woman spraying essential oil on curly hair

Like we mentioned above, there is no real danger to using hairspray. Even daily application is not harmful. Just make sure you are consistently washing your hair with shampoo to avoid any buildup that could become unhealthy.

We all have days where time is just really not on our side, and washing our hair just doesn't fit in our tight schedule. Dry shampoo is a popular and time-saving alternative to a full-on shower. But just how much should you be taking this shortcut? Read our article, How Often To Use Dry Shampoo? to find out.

Is hairspray good for thinning hair?

Blond woman using hairspray in front of mirror

In the same way that hairspray can't make your hair fall out, it isn't going to help it grow either. At least, not biologically. But while hairspray may not make your hair thicker, there are certain sprays that can make it appear that way.

The John Frieda Volume Lift Hairspray available on Amazon is a great option that is made specifically for fine or thinning hair. And if you like the hairspray, there's a whole collection of volumizing products to try!

Click here to see this product on Amazon.

What is the healthiest hairspray?

Just because hairspray won't cause lasting hair loss does not mean that there aren't things to watch out for. Some hairsprays are known to cause breakage or wiry texture. But don't worry. We've curated a list of superior hairsprays for healthy hair to make your shopping experience smoother.

Note: these are not listed in any particular order.

1. Morrocanoil Luminous Hairspray

This pretty blue canister made our list for a few reasons. First of all, the smell. Unlike other hairsprays which tend to either have an overwhelming alcohol odor or an intense flowery one, this hairspray's scent is a fan favorite. The argan oil in it gives a warm and subtle smell.

Another reason we had to include the Morrocanoil spray is because of the way it makes hair feel. It's a light spray that leaves hair looking shiny without feeling greasy. Reviewers also said that the spray holds hair in place well but doesn't make it feel crunchy.

See this product on Amazon.

2. Alterna My Hair My Canvas City Slay Shielding Hairspray

The City Slay Shielding Spray is another hairspray that received high marks for its smell. The scent of this spray is slightly minty and mostly just smells clean. It isn't at all overpowering and is sure to be headache-free.

This spray is mostly for keeping frizz at bay, so the hold is not super strong. However, this allows for more natural movement of the hair. There is also the added bonus of protecting hair from heat, so it's perfect for spraying your hair before and after styling.

Check out this product on Amazon.

3. Pantene Pro-V Level 2 Ultra-Lightweight Airspray Hairspray

Pantene is well known for its quality hair products, whether it be conditioner or hair masks, and the hairspray is no exception. It gives volume to thin or fine hair and leaves hair feeling soft instead of stiff. But what we love the most about this spray is that it is free of ethanol, a common hairspray ingredient that can make hair dry and brittle.

Click here to see this product on Amazon.

4. AG Hair Volume Spray Body Soft Hold Volumizer

This is another example of a great hairspray without any ethanol. It also contains an alcohol called panthenol, which is used as a moisturizer and keeps hair from becoming dry.

See this product on Amazon.

5. Andalou Naturals Brilliant Shine Hair Spray

Like the AG hair volume spray, the Andalou hairspray is ethanol-free and uses panthenol for a shiny, healthy finish. The brand also has a hair gel that pairs well with the spray for extra volume. The best part is that both the spray and the gel are vegan and cruelty-free, so you can rest easy knowing your product is not just good for your hair, but good for nature too.

Check out this product on Amazon.

What could really cause my hair to fall out?

Young woman worried about hair loss

So now that you know that your hairspray isn't going to lead to balding, it's time to talk about what might actually pose a threat to your luscious locks. As we mentioned above, there are many potential reasons for hair loss to occur. We've chosen to take a deeper look at four of the most common causes so that you can have a better idea as to how to keep your hair healthy and full.

1. Stress

Stress is a dangerous thing. In addition to making life considerably less enjoyable, heavy physical and/or emotional stress can lead to irritability, restless nights, and a weakened immune system. It also can send your body into something called telogen effluvium hair lossThis is when an increased number of hair follicles are sent into the telogen, or falling out, phase of growth.

If you recently went through a straining event such as sickness, pregnancy, or loss of a loved one, you may notice your hair thinning out. Thankfully, this type of loss tends to be temporary. Hair will typically grow back on its own once the stress level has gone down.

2. Tight hairstyles

Young woman tied her hair in a ponytail

Whether it's for a workout or a workday, a tight pony or top bun always seems like a good idea. However, while it does keep those flyaways out of your face, pulling your hair back too tightly can actually cause it to fall out.

This kind of hair loss, known as traction alopecia, can be permanent if too much damage has been done to the follicles. The best way to treat or avoid this condition is by being gentle with your hair.

One way to do this is by using scalp-friendly hair accessories instead of the rubber or elastic ones that give you a ponytail headache. For instance, try out Kitsch coil ties. According to the company, they "prevent damage and strand breakage by spreading out the tension" over a greater surface area.

See these hair ties on Amazon.

If those look a little too intimidating, don't worry. Amazon also has small silk scrunchies that are perfect for maintaining healthy hair. Silk reduces friction which allows these hair ties to slide right out without pulling on your roots.

Check out these silk scrunchies on Amazon.

3. Nutritional deficiencies

If you aren't meeting your nutritional needs, you may experience hair loss. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, low levels of protein, iron, zinc, or biotin often result in hair loss. These deficiencies can be caused by certain conditions like anemia or IBD, diets that restrict intake, or rapid weight loss.

If you suspect that you are losing hair for this reason, you should go see a doctor about getting a blood test. This will give you a better idea of what nutrients you are lacking. Then, you can move forward with either supplements or a dietary change to address the issue. Once your nutrition is back in balance, you should start to see improvements in your hair growth.

4. Medications

Prescription medication isolated in white background

It may seem odd that something made to help you can also hurt you. And yet we've all seen the commercials of a happy family doing something charming like gardening or sailing while a medicine's long list of side effects is rattled off.

For some medicines, one of those side effects is hair loss. Blood thinners, antidepressants, and vitamin A supplements are just a few of the medications that may cause hair to fall out.

This is a type of telogen effluvium hair loss, and just like with stress-induced loss, it is likely that regrowth will occur. However, it is never a good idea to take yourself off medication. First, consult your doctor about whether or not your hair loss is related to a certain medication, and then discuss your treatment options with them.

In Summary

Despite the accusations floating around the hair care world, it is not true that your hairspray will make your hair fall out. That being said, not all hairsprays were made equal, so do your research before heading to the store.

If you are experiencing hair loss, take a look at your lifestyle. Are you stressed? Are you eating enough? Do you pull on your hair often? Are you on any medications known to cause hair loss? These are the questions that you should ask yourself, not whether or not you use too much hairspray. Once you've gotten to the root of the problem, you can work on healthy care for the root of your hair.

Did we leave some of your questions unanswered? Check out our article, Does Hairspray Dry Out Your Hair Or Otherwise Damage It?

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