Mixing heat with styling products can be harmful to your health, according to a study analyzing the products released by the application of heat
Hair products often contain ingredients that evaporate easily, allowing users to inhale some of these chemicals, which can have health effects. Now researchers have examined emissions of these volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including siloxanes, which give hair shine and softness. As scientists report in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology, using these hair care products can quickly change the composition of indoor air, and common heat styling techniques—straightening and curling—further increase VOC levels.
Some previous studies have examined the amounts of siloxanes released by personal care products. However, most focused on products that are removed from the body, such as: B. Skin cleansers, which may behave differently than leave-on products such as: E.g. creams or oils. Additionally, most previous studies on siloxane emissions have not focused on the rapid, real-time changes in indoor air composition that can occur when combing hair. Nusrat Jung and her colleagues wanted to know the details of the VOCs emitted by hair products, particularly in real-world situations, such as small bathrooms, where they are commonly used.
Be careful with siloxanes
The researchers set up a ventilated house where participants used their usual hair products (creams, sprays, and oils) and heated the tools. Before, during and after styling, the team measured real-time emissions of VOCs, including cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMS), which are used in many hair care products. Mass spectrometry data showed rapid changes in the chemical composition of residential air and showed that cVMS accounted for the majority of VOCs detected. Emissions were influenced by product type and hair length, as well as the type and temperature of the styling device. Longer hair and higher temperatures release larger amounts of VOCs.
Based on their results, the researchers estimated that a person’s potential daily inhalation of a cVMS, known as D5, could reach 20 mg per day. In experiments, turning on an exhaust fan removed most pollutants from indoor air within 20 minutes of completing a hair care routine. However, scientists point out that this practice could harm the quality of outdoor air in densely populated cities. They state that studies on the long-term effects of siloxane exposure on human health are urgently needed as most results come from animal studies.
REFERENCE
Siloxane emissions and exposures from indoor hair care product use