Styling Spray
Whether your hair is short or long, curly or straight, the ideal styling spray promises to fix every style perfectly, whatever the weather. Since its introduction, styling spray has become an essential tool for many people to achieve the perfect hairstyle. It is applied as a finishing touch to the finished hairstyle to ensure long-lasting hold.
The mystery of styling spray is hidden inside the can. Finding a quality product requires a keen eye for certain characteristics. A quality styling spray is often characterised by specific ingredients that not only provide strong hold, but also nourish and protect the hair.
Styling spray technology: Fine mist and elastic compounds for natural hold without stickiness
Styling spray from the aerosol can is applied to the hair in a very fine mist using a propellant gas. As 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 commonly used. They produce a metered aerosol mist so that the ingredients are only deposited on individual, compacted hair tips.
A network of elastic links holds the hairs together sufficiently without completely gluing them together.
The spray angle, spray strength and droplet size can be perfectly adjusted to ensure that the active ingredients are 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 style retains its natural look and the hair itself remains beautifully soft.
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 aerosol hairsprays over pump hairsprays is that they dry much faster.
Styling spray ingredients and conditioning agents
The main ingredients in styling sprays are polymers, also known as microplastics, which act as a kind of film-forming agent. The higher the concentration of polymers, the greater the hold or strength during styling.
The polymers in the spray can be washed out, but they are also water-repellent, so they have an important dual effect. However, the polymers are not without controversy. Microplastics enter our environment in almost incalculable quantities, including the oceans, where the tiny particles can persist for hundreds of years. They can endanger our ecosystems because they are ingested as food by shellfish, worms and fish, especially in the sea.
In recent years, however, biodegradable, or ‘green’, polymers have become the focus of increasing public interest. Research and development is currently in full swing.
The solvent used in hair lacquers is usually ethanol, but water can also be used. Various fragrances are also often added.
The “good” ingredients in styling sprays
Ceramides are also increasingly used in hair sprays. These are lipids (fats) that act as a kind of cement to strengthen the hair cuticle. In shampoos, they can repair brittle areas of the hair; in styling sprays, they have an important protective function. Panthenol has another beneficial effect. It has moisturising and soothing properties. Styling sprays with panthenol make hair look healthier. Vitamin E is particularly good for dry and damaged hair.
Different types for different needs
There are generally six different levels of hold in hairsprays. Grades 1 and 2 provide a very light hold and are mainly used to prevent flyaways. Hold levels 3 and 4 also give good hold to curls, but without sticking. Styling sprays with hold level 5 are great for elaborate updos and creative styling ideas, while hold level 6 is no longer called a styling spray but a hair lacquer. There are also specialty styling sprays that are formulated to meet specific needs. Examples include volume sprays, colour sprays, heat sprays and UV-protection sprays.
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.
Cosmacon styling sprays: eco-conscious ingredients for sustainable styling
In short, the aerosol styling spray offers modern technology for natural and long-lasting hair styling. The fine mist and elastic compounds provide a natural hold without sticking hair together. While controversial ingredients such as microplastics are discussed, positive elements such as ceramides, panthenol and vitamin E show that styling spray can also have protective and nourishing properties. The variety of hold levels allows you to adapt to different hairstyles. However, it is important to look for environmentally friendly ingredients when making your choice. All in all, styling sprays are an effective solution for well-groomed styling that preserves the naturalness of the hair. Need more information or tips on eco-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