Hairspray is a widespread aerosol product used to maintain hairstyles, but its application often results in a cloud of mist that is easily inhaled. This exposure raises health questions about introducing these foreign particles into the respiratory system. Understanding the potential effects requires examining what the spray contains and how the body reacts to these airborne substances. While immediate effects are generally mild, the possibility of long-term consequences from persistent exposure requires careful examination.
The Chemical Composition of Hairspray
Hairspray’s function relies on a mixture of chemicals, primarily consisting of polymers, solvents, and propellants. Polymers, which are the long-chain molecules that provide the hair’s hold, are dissolved in solvents such as alcohol or water. Propellants, like butane or propane, are pressurized gases that force the formulation out of the can as a fine mist.
The aerosol delivery system makes inhalation a concern because it creates a wide range of particle sizes. A small fraction (typically 1% to 5%) of airborne particles are small enough to be considered respirable. Respirable particles are defined as those less than 10 micrometers in diameter. These small particles bypass the natural filtration mechanisms in the nose and throat, traveling deep into the lower respiratory tract.
Acute Respiratory Reactions and Irritation
Inhaling hairspray often causes immediate and temporary respiratory symptoms due to the chemical irritants and fine particles. Common reactions include transient coughing, sneezing, and irritation in the throat and nasal passages. These reactions are the body’s natural defense mechanism attempting to clear the foreign substances from the airways.
For individuals with underlying respiratory conditions, hairspray can act as a trigger. People with hyperreactive airways, such as those with asthma, may experience a decrease in lung function after brief exposure. This reaction, known as bronchospasm, involves the tightening of the muscles around the airways. Symptoms are acute and reversible, improving quickly once the person moves into an area with fresh air.
Chronic Health Concerns from Long-Term Inhalation
The concern with prolonged hairspray use is the potential for non-volatile components, specifically polymers, to accumulate in the lungs. When respirable particles reach the deep lung, they become deposited, and the body attempts to clear them. This can lead to a condition historically referred to as “thesaurosis,” or storage disease.
Thesaurosis involves the body’s immune response to foreign, inert polymers, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone co-polymer, a common hairspray ingredient. The lung tissue may react by forming granulomas, which are small masses of immune cells that attempt to wall off the foreign material. These granulomas can lead to chronic inflammation and, in severe cases, cause changes like fibrosing alveolitis or interstitial pneumonitis.
While acute irritation is common, severe, permanent lung damage from typical consumer use is rare. Documented cases of thesaurosis and decreased lung function are associated with excessive, prolonged, and often occupational exposure, such as in professional hair stylists. In these high-exposure settings, the cumulative effect of inhaling high concentrations of the aerosol over many years elevates the risk of chronic pathological changes. Cessation of exposure in reported cases has led to improvement in the patient’s respiratory symptoms and function.
Strategies for Minimizing Inhalation Risk
Reducing the risk associated with hairspray inhalation involves controlling the level of airborne exposure. The most effective strategy is to ensure excellent ventilation where the product is applied. Using a fan or opening a window helps quickly disperse the aerosol cloud, lowering the concentration of particles available for inhalation.
Another simple, actionable step is to hold your breath during the short period of spraying and then leave the area immediately after application. Increasing the distance between the aerosol can and your head also helps, as the mist begins to dissipate and the larger particles fall out of the air stream more quickly.
Considering alternatives to aerosol cans can mitigate the risk. Non-aerosol pump sprays are a good option because they produce larger droplets less likely to be inhaled deeply into the lungs. Reducing the overall exposure to respirable components lessens both acute irritation and the potential for chronic lung issues.