Hairspray
Whether your hair is short or long, curly or straight – the ideal hairspray promises to fix every hairstyle perfectly, whatever the weather. Since its introduction, hairspray has become an indispensable tool for many people to achieve the perfect hairstyle. It is applied as a finishing touch to the finished hairstyle to ensure a long-lasting hold.
The mysterious composition of the hairspray is hidden inside the spray can. The search for a high-quality product requires a keen eye for certain characteristics. A quality hairspray is often characterised by specific ingredients that not only ensure a strong hold, but also care for and protect the hair.
Hairspray technology: Fine spray mist and elastic compounds for a natural hold without stickiness
Hairspray from the aerosol can is applied very finely to the hair using a propellant gas. When the spray dries, it forms a film on the surface of the hair that bonds the individual hairs together, creating a completely invisible hair net. Nowadays, so-called precision spray heads are generally used. They produce a metered aerosol mist so that the ingredients are only deposited on individual compacted hair intersections.
A network of elastic connections fixes the hairs together sufficiently without sticking them together completely.
The spray angle, spray strength and droplet size can be perfectly adjusted so that the active ingredients can be distributed relatively evenly even from a short distance. If you wish, you can also fix the volume directly and exclusively at the roots without the hair losing its flexibility and bounce in the lengths.
The hairstyle therefore retains its natural look and the hair itself remains beautifully soft.
Incidentally, an aerosol is a mixture of a gaseous substance and liquid or solid components that are very finely dispersed and have the ability to float. The big advantage of hairsprayin an aerosol can over the pump hairsprays that are also commonly used today is that the drying process is much quicker.
Hairspray ingredients and caring substances
The most important ingredients in hairspray are polymers, also known as microplastics, which act as a kind of film-forming agent. The higher the concentration of polymers, the higher the degree of hold or firmness during styling.
The polymers contained in the spray can be washed out on the one hand, but are also water-repellent on the other, so they have an important double effect. Nevertheless, the polymers are not without controversy. Microplastics end up in our environment and also in the oceans in almost incalculable quantities, where the tiny particles remain for hundreds of years. They can jeopardise our ecosystems, as they are ingested as food by mussels, worms and fish, especially in the sea.
In recent years, however, biodegradable, i.e., “green” polymers have increasingly become the focus of public interest. The corresponding research and development is currently running at full speed.
As a rule, ethanol acts as the solvent in hair lacquer, but water can also be included. Various fragrances are also often added.
Different types for different requirements
There are generally six different levels of hold for hairspray. Grades 1 and 2 offer a very light hold and are primarily used to prevent fly-aways. Hold grades 3 and 4 also give curls a good hold, but without sticking. Hairspray with hold level 5 are suitable for elaborate updos and particularly creative styling ideas, while hold level 6 is no longer referred to as a hairspray but as a hair lacquer. There are also special hairspray that fulfil specific requirements due to their composition. Examples include hairspray for more volume as well as colour, heat and UV protection variants.
The “good” ingredients of hairspray
Ceramides are also increasingly being used in hairspray. These are lipids (fats) that act as a kind of cementing substance to strengthen the hair cuticle. In shampoos they can repair brittle areas in the hair, in hairspray they have an important protective function. Panthenol has another positive effect. The substance has a moisturising and calming effect. Hairspray with panthenol make the hair look healthier. The ingredient vitamin E is particularly suitable for dry and damaged hair.
Panthenol profile
Alternative name: D-panthenol, dexpanthenol
Classification: chemical compound, belongs to the polyols and amides
CAS number: 81-13-0
Effect: moisturising, anti-inflammatory, reduces itching
Solubility: miscible with water
Boiling point: 118 to 120 degrees Celsius
Vitamin E profile
Alternative name: Tocopherol
CAS number: 10191-41-0
Function: Antioxidant
Properties: yellow to brown liquid
Melting point: 2.5 to 3.5 degrees Celsius
Solubility: fat soluble
Polymer profile
CAS number: Polymers cannot be clearly categorised because different molecular weights still only have one CAS number.
Definition: chemical substance, consists of macromolecules
Application: Main component for the production of plastics
Assessment: In principle, polymers are classified as harmless to health. However, they are ecologically questionable as they jeopardise our ecosystems.
Many research projects are underway to find new polymers that offer good grip and yet are biodegradable in the environment and water-friendly.
Hairspray with Cosmacon: environmentally conscious ingredients for sustainable styling
To summarise, hairspray from the aerosol can offers modern technology for natural and long-lasting hairstyling. The fine spray mist and elastic compounds ensure a natural hold without sticking the hair together. While controversial ingredients such as microplastics are being discussed, positive elements such as ceramides, panthenol and vitamin E show that hairspray can also have protective and nourishing properties. The variety of hold levels allows customisation to different hairstyles. When making your choice, however, you should consciously pay attention to environmentally friendly ingredients. Overall, hairspray is an effective solution for well-groomed styling that preserves the naturalness of the hair. Do you need more information or tips on environmentally friendly alternatives? Just ask us!
Sources:
Aktueller Entwurf der ECHA zum Mikroplastik
Tocopherols as antioxidants in lipid-based systems: The combination of chemical and physicochemical interactions determines their efficiency. ; Barouh N, Bourlieu-Lacanal C, Figueroa-Espinoza MC, Durand E, Villeneuve P.Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2022 Jan;21(1):642-688
Dexpanthenol in Wound Healing after Medical and Cosmetic Interventions (Postprocedure Wound Healing).; Gorski J, Proksch E, Baron JM, Schmid D, Zhang L.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020 Jun 29;13(7):138
Exploratory evaluation of tolerability, performance, and cosmetic acceptance of dexpanthenol-containing dermo-cosmetic wash and sun-care products for tattoo aftercare.; Schmid DA, Domingues MP, Nanu A, Kluger N, de Salvo R, Trapp S.Health Sci Rep. 2022 Jun 27;5(4):e635
Skin lipids in health and disease: A review.; Chem Phys Lipids. 2021 May;236:105055.
Clinical significance of the water retention and barrier function-improving capabilities of ceramide-containing formulations: A qualitative review.; J Dermatol. 2021 Dec;48(12):1807-1816