Is Dry Shampoo Bad For Your Lungs? The Answer
On October 1, 2022 by Lucky WongInquiring about the most safe and efficient ways to use dry shampoos, more and more people are turning to them.
People who need to look presentable right away after a sweaty workout or who want to maintain a good hair day are big fans of dry shampoo. Undoubtedly, it is a well-known time-saving trick.
What exactly is dry shampoo, though? What is the best way to employ it, too? What does that mean for your lungs and dry shampoos? In this article, we provide an honest response.
Harmful Ingredients Found In Dry Shampoos
To name a few of the ingredients used in dry shampoo production, there are propellants, abrasives, absorbents, preservatives, and fragrances.
When inhaled or in contact with the skin, eyes, or either of these body organs, some of the ingredients in either of these categories have the potential to be harmful (although some only cause mild irritations). Examples include :
- OCTOXYNOL-10
- Benzyl Salicylate
- Fragrance
- Cetrimonium chloride
- Talc
- Propane
- Butane
Is The Silica In Dry Shampoo Harmful To Your Lungs?
Sand and other minerals can be used to create silica, a white powder. Due to its capacity to absorb moisture, it is frequently utilized as an absorbent in cosmetics.
In dry shampoo, silica is used to scrub off dirt from the scalp and absorb extra oil. Because silica particles can enter the lungs because the majority of dry shampoos are produced in aerosol form.
Although present in hair products, the silica particles are too small to irritate the lungs. Unless you have a silica allergy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel determined that this ingredient was safe for use in cosmetics and did not pose a risk of causing silicosis, an interstitial lung disease brought on by exposure to silica dust.
The Function Of Dry Shampoo
Let’s start with the fundamentals. Historically, traditional shampoos have been used to wash both the hair and the scalp. Regular removal of dirt, extra oils, dead skin, and other contaminants is crucial for maintaining the health of your hair and scalp biome. Instead of using detergent, water, and conditioner, dry shampoo uses three different ingredients: a propellant, an absorbent, and an abrasive.
The propellent blows the other ingredients into the hair, distributing them evenly, often targeting an area near the roots where excess oiliness starts. The absorbents blot up the excess oils. The abrasives act like little scouring pads; they literally knock some of the dirt and oil off the hair so that the absorbents can mop them up.
Following the capture of some dirt and oil, all of the ingredients are brushed out, or at least the majority of them. There is always a residue from dry shampoo. Furthermore, they do nothing to promote healthy scalp.
Is Dry Shampoo Harmful If It Contains Butane?
Dry shampoo is propelled by the odorless gas butane. In the current concentration used in the cosmetic industry, this gas is regarded as safe.
Butane shouldn’t irritate the skin or the eyes when used as a compressed gas. Contrary to popular belief, butane, a substance used in cosmetics, is not toxic when inhaled after a brief exposure.
Too quickly for a significant amount to be absorbed and cause harm, butane particles rather dissolve in the air. All reports of butane-related respiratory problems are caused by abusing the drug over an extended period of time.
Are Dry Shampoos Made With Propane Safe?
Propane is used as a propellant in aerosol dry shampoos, just like butane, and is thought to be safe to use and not significantly harm lungs when exposed for brief periods of time.
This study found that 10 minutes of exposure to 10% propane gas had no adverse effects on the skin, eyes, or lungs. However, some volunteers experienced mild somnolence as a result.
What Happens If You Inhale Dry Shampoo?
You may experience coughing, burning in the chest, or sneezing if you inadvertently inhale your dry shampoo. However, the propellants in your dry shampoo won’t do you any serious harm. These are typical minor side effects of breathing gases.
Dry shampoo can, however, cause an asthma attack in those who have the condition. This is due to the fact that aerosols, which are compressed gases, can irritate the lungs when inhaled and cause airway inflammation.
Dry Shampoo And Cancer
It is thought that dry shampoos may cause cancer because some of them contain talc. This is because talc contains asbestos as an impurity when obtained in its natural state. There is widespread concern that dry shampoos may cause cancer because this impurity is known to be carcinogenic. But it should be noted that according to industry standards, only pure talc should be used to make cosmetic goods.
The talc used in feminine hygiene products—rather than dry shampoos—was the only type of talc that was the subject of a study that also connected it to ovarian cancer. There is no proof to support the claim that the talc found in dry shampoos can cause cancer, but the American Society of Cancer advises those who are concerned about talc to hold off using products that contain it until more information is available.
The controversy surrounding whether dry shampoos are carcinogenic was reignited in 2021 after a report of a chemical that causes cancer was discovered in some products made by the Propser and Gamble company. A few aerosol products that contained this substance were eventually recalled out of caution. It should be noted that although this carcinogen was not listed as an ingredient in the dry shampoos, it was still present because of a transfer that occurred during production. Dry shampoos are thus made without any cancer-causing ingredients.
Does Dry Shampoo Work For Hair?
However, use dry shampoo with caution. It might allow you to work out more frequently while maintaining your style. Your hair and scalp will be sandblasted by the abrasives. The roughness of the silica or starch physically erodes the hair shaft’s outer layer. Regular use may weaken your hair’s cuticle and make it more frizzy and brittle. In addition, using powder or sand to clean your hands may cause your hair to dry out and your scalp to itch over time.
No matter how vigorously you brush the dry shampoo out, it still leaves behind what is frequently referred to as a matte finish on your hair. On the scalp, hair roots, and hair, there are tiny clumps of the absorbents that cause irritation, odor, and a gritty sensation. Face it, a dry shampoo won’t make you clean. Yes, it absorbs a little extra oil and works well as a temporary solution when washing isn’t an option. But don’t over-do it!
Last but not least, you may have thought about creating your own DIY dry shampoo using talc, cornstarch, baking soda, baby powder, or other accessible ingredients. This is not a smart move. The first issue is that without the propellant, it is very challenging to evenly distribute those tiny particles on the scalp and roots, which are the first places where excess oils manifest. Second, these are only absorbents; without abrasives, they will tend to clump together and leave an unsightly residue. The last and most significant reason they are bad for you is that baking soda can really irritate the scalp. Additionally, inhaling cornstarch and baby powder can harm the lungs.
How Frequently Should I Apply Dry Shampoo?
Everybody is different; some people can only use dry shampoo once in between shampoos. Others may only need two or three uses, with the potential for a few more if you can handle the residue. The real answer is “as often as you need to and can deal with the imperfect results.”
With a balanced biome, a healthy scalp, and hair that isn’t overly porous, you won’t need to use dry shampoo as frequently if you use a non-ionic, sulfate-free shampoo.
Dry Shampoo Alternatives
The key to having beautiful hair is a healthy, balanced biome. Some other recommendations from beauty professionals include:
- NoPoo: If you use common hair care products that contain sulfates, silicones, and parabens, shampooing less frequently has some advantages for your health and appearance. See “The No Poo Method: What You Need to Know” to learn more.
- Brush it Out: You can swap brushing your hair for washing it if you’re short on time. It’s crucial to keep cleansing your hair and scalp, which you normally do when you shampoo, by removing dirt, dead skin, and other contaminants. However, by preventing sebum (hair oil) from concentrating at the scalp, brushing the hair along the entire hair shaft can bring out shine and manage excess oil. This is where using a soft-bristle brush comes in. Brushing your hair instead of shampooing helps to distribute your body’s natural oils and remove buildup of oil and dirt.
- Rinse Only: Don’t think you need to shampoo if you sweat a lot during a workout, especially if you just had your hair washed. It might only require a thorough rinsing.
Summary: Dry Shampoo Tips
If you do use a dry shampoo remember these tips:
- The ingredients are bad for your lungs, so don’t breathe them in!
- Use with caution; reduce the abrasive impact on the scalp and hair as it may harm the hair.
- Propellants can catch fire, so keep your distance from open flames! When you can, use shampoo instead of other cleaning products.
- Avoid home remedies like talcum powder, cornstarch, baking soda, or baby powder.
When you have so little time for shampooing, dry shampoo is a lifesaver. When you want to protect a well-done blowout or when you don’t want a sweaty workout to ruin a great hair day, it can be especially helpful. It’s a band-aid, though, so keep that in mind. A clean, unclogged hair and scalp — a healthy biome — are the prerequisites for having roots-deep, vibrant hair. Maintain the excellent system that nature gave you while keeping it clean. Your scalp and hair will be healthy and incredibly attractive if you follow these instructions.
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