Dry shampoo solutions, which are available in spray or powder form, serve to absorb the hair’s surface grease, leaving it looking and smelling fresh and matte. However, understanding the ingredients in your dry shampoo formula is critical to truly understanding what makes it special, as different brands use different components to produce refreshed-feeling strands.
Dr. Michael Zasloff, Chief Science Officer of the illumai hair company, explains via email, “To understand why dry shampoo works, you have to understand what the components are all about.” Most dry shampoos contain a propellant, an absorbent, and an abrasive, all of which work together to clean your hair.
The propellants (butane, isobutane, propane, alcohol, etc.) in the initial component of dry shampoo serve to distribute your contents evenly throughout your hair. Because you are not using water, this is critical.
Following that are active components such as aluminum starch and silica, which absorb moisture and greasy coatings from the hair. According to Dr. Zasloff, the starch particles act as both sponges and scouring pads, absorbing the grease and oil present on your roots.
The starch granules function as sponges when the shampoo is first blasted over the hair, says Dr. Zasloff. When the starch is brushed out of the hair shafts, they function as scouring pads, sweeping across the surface.
Is it safe to use propane in dry shampoo?
If you read the ingredients on a standard brand of dry shampoo, you might notice unusual substances like propane and butane, which you believed were exclusively used to light a barbecue. This is concerning since you are spraying these chemicals straight into your skin and maybe inhaling them.
Butane and propane are safe in shampoo, according to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel, because they evaporate quickly and are used in modest doses.
Although too much dry shampoo might make hair dry if it isn’t getting enough natural oil, Dr. Alan Bauman, a board-certified hair restoration physician, affirms that propane isn’t a problem.
Even if the risk is minor, if you use dry shampoo on a regular basis, you might want to reconsider the amount of exposure you’re getting to these chemicals. When a product is left on the scalp for an extended amount of time, the chemicals are more likely to penetrate into the skin, causing discomfort.
To minimize these hazards, choose a brand with more natural components, or make your own dry shampoo at home. Dr. Bauman also recommends washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner on a regular basis to prevent the powder from building up on your scalp, and using dry shampoo only once or twice between washes.
Your current dry shampoo is safe to use if you use it sparingly, but chemical-containing brands should be avoided until more is known about their effects. Meanwhile, keep away from open flames to avoid any “Michael Jackson Pepsi ad” drama, and check your bottle for hazardous contents before creating a scene at airport security.
Is it true that butane in dry shampoo is harmful?
While some people are concerned about harmful substances coming into direct contact with their scalp and hair, others are concerned about inhaling them. Butane and isobutane, the propellants used to spray dry shampoo into the air, have been linked to allergies and irritation of the skin, eyes, and lungs, which isn’t good news for a substance blasted in your face and mouth’s airspace. Concerns of contamination of these chemicals with the known carcinogen butadiene exacerbate the situation. Choose a dry shampoo in a non-aerosol container to prevent butane.
What is the purpose of propane in hair products?
Butane, isobutane, propane, and isopentane are volatile petroleum and natural gas products. These substances are used to replace chlorofluorocarbons, or CFC propellants, in cosmetics and personal care products, some of which have been demonstrated to have detrimental environmental consequences.
What causes the flammability of dry shampoo?
“It contains propane and butane, which are the same gases found in lighters,” she explained. Aerosol products frequently contain the two flammable components. According to Francl, they operate as propellants, allowing the product to be released from the can.
Is it true that butane causes hair loss?
Gaunitz concurs. He advises that if you are already experiencing hair loss or thinning, dry shampoo should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. “Dry shampoo, in my perspective, will not normally cause hair loss, but it will exacerbate an underlying hair loss condition,” he explains. “Inflammation can be caused by components in your typical dry shampoo, such as butane and other starches that break down on the surface of the scalp, leading to rapid hair loss and exacerbation of scalp diseases.”
Is butane harmful to the skin?
Contact with escaping gas/liquid on the skin can result in frostbite and freeze burns. Eye Contact: Contact with escaping gas/liquid can result in frostbite, freeze burns, and permanent eye injury.
Is it harmful to inhale dry shampoo?
- Use gently; the abrasive impact on hair and scalp might cause hair damage.
- Propellers are flammable, so keep them away from open flames. When you have the opportunity, shampoo your hair since it is the most effective form of cleanliness.
When you don’t have time to shampoo, dry shampoo is a blessing. It’s especially useful if you don’t want a sweaty workout to ruin a good hair day or if you want to keep a well-done blowout intact. But keep in mind that this is only a temporary solution. A healthy biome begins with unclogged and entirely undamaged hair and scalp, resulting in root-deep, vivid hair. Keep it clean while conserving the amazing system that Mother Nature has given you. Your hair and scalp will be healthy and lovely if you do so.
How dangerous is dry shampoo?
We already discussed talc and how it could be hidden in your cosmetics, and now it’s showing up in traditional dry shampoos. Talc is utilized in dry shampoo solutions due of its outstanding absorbing properties, which makes sense until you discover more about the dark side of the mineral. Talc is a magnesium, silicon, and oxygen-based mineral that may include asbestos fibers. The asbestos fibers are the frightening aspect, as they can cause health problems like pulmonary poisoning and cancer.
What is the purpose of propane in hair mousse?
Mousse, despite its terrible reputation, is one of the most versatile things a curly-haired person can own. Best mousses for curly hair, unlike the style products we used in middle school, won’t make your hair feel crunchy or sticky; instead, they’ll help define and hydrate curls with a blend of nourishing nutrients. Here’s a less-than-fun fact: To help propel them out of the bottle, most mousses marketed in typical spray bottles contain butane or propane (in beauty, these are literally referred to as propellents). All of the mousses described below are packaged in non-aerosol, pump-top bottles, and are thus butane- and propane-free, assuming you don’t want to be spraying these potentially annoying, headache-inducing gasses all over your head and face.
Scroll down to see three of the best mousses for curly hair, all of which are $15 or less on Amazon.
Note from the editor: Do you want to give your hair a boost? Then one of the best mousses for volume can be a better choice.