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.
Why is butane used in dry shampoo?
Dry shampoo solutions, which are available in spray or powder form, work 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.” âMost dry shampoos contain a propellant, an absorbent, and an abrasive, all of which work together to clean your hair.â
The propellants (butane, isobutane, propane, alcohol, etc.) in the initial component of dry shampoo help 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 function as both sponges and scouring pads, absorbing the grease and oil present on your roots.
âThe starch granules behave as sponges when the shampoo is first blasted over the hair,â says Dr. Zasloff. âWhen the starch is brushed out of the hair shafts, they function as scouring pads, sweeping across the surface.â
Why does my dry shampoo have propane in it?
Most women’s beauty regimes use dry shampoo on a daily basis. It helps absorb excess oil and refreshes second (or third… or fourth) day hair, extending the life of a style between washes. Dry shampoo is ideal for those of us who don’t like to shower every day (no judgement), busy mommas who don’t have time to wash our hair, or those with limp strands in need of some TLC. Traditional dry shampoos, on the other hand, pose some major health risks.
Dry shampoos in aerosol spray cans are often found at drugstores and even high-end hair salons. The health dangers aren’t simply due to the contents in the can; they’re also due to the way it’s delivered. A chemical propellant shoots out of the can, over your hair, and into the air with aerosol dry shampoos. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is a colorless, odorless gas made up of butane, propane, and isobutane.
Do you really want to be spraying a product that says “EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE” on your hair and around your face? It’s likely that your dry shampoo and your haircut will catch fire if the ingredients list contains LPG.
These gasses pose serious risks, such as respiratory issues, headaches, hormone disruption, organ (aka brain + liver) damage, and not only cause long-term harm to the body, but also to the environment and the earth, especially with repeated exposure (did we mention dry shampoo has become a daily staple for most women?).
Many dry shampoos on the market now include talc, which is frequently contaminated with asbestos (a highly toxic mineral). While its ability to absorb oil may appear supernatural, its adverse effects are not. Skin irritations, organ system toxicity, respiratory discomfort, and significant cancer risks are some of the health problems associated with talc use.
Denatured alcohol (also known as “alcohol denat.”) and fragrance (if you’ve been reading our site for a while, you know that’s code for “chemical cocktail”) are two other compounds commonly present in traditional dry shampoos. Both of these harmful substances can irritate your scalp, harm your hair, and put your health at risk.
Continued use of dry shampoo from an aerosol can can not only harm your hair and scalp, but have you considered where the majority of the product will end up?
Plus, you’re probably spraying it in the restroom (but remember, if you’re outside in an open field, you’re potentially harming the ozone layer). Breathing in harmful pollutants is exacerbated by cramped quarters and a lack of ventilation. The main threat is in that area. You are inhaling hazardous synthetic substances directly into your body.
We realized we wanted to offer a non-toxic alternative for our anti-shower, busy mom, fine-haired friends because of the dirt we dug up about dry shampoos. That is precisely what we did.
Our dry shampoo is 100 percent natural and non-toxic, so it won’t set your hair (or anything else) on fire. Ours is made with oil-absorbing kaolin clay and arrowroot powder to add texture and volume to any style. Our dry shampoo is scented with solely organic essential oils of grapefruit (natural cleansing characteristics), lavender (soothes the scalp), and peppermint (stimulates hair development), and leaves your hair smelling and feeling like it just came out of the shower.
Is butane toxic in hair products?
If you read the ingredients on a standard brand of dry shampoo, you might notice unusual substances like propane and butane, which you thought were exclusively used to light a barbecue. This is concerning because 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 fast 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, agrees 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 ones should be avoided until more is known about their effects. Meanwhile, stay away from open flames to avoid any “Michael Jackson Pepsi ad” drama, and check your bottle for hazardous contents before creating a fuss at airport security.
What is the bad ingredient in 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 strong 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.
Why is butane 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.
Why you shouldn’t use dry shampoo?
Dry shampoo is excellent once in a while, but it shouldn’t be used as a full-time replacement for washing your hair with water, according to experts. Dry shampoo can be thought of as a hair freshener rather than a hair cleaning. It does little to clean your dirt-collecting scalp.
Many shampoos are designed to keep your hair moisturized. If you exclusively use dry shampoo, it might actually dry up your strands, making them more prone to breakage.
Dry shampoo can leave a residue on your hair and scalp. That residue will build up if you don’t shampoo with water on a regular basis. You can acquire rashes and inflammation on your scalp if you don’t clean it and solely use dry shampoo. If you use dry shampoo too frequently without thoroughly cleansing your scalp, you may develop dandruff.
Shampooing in the shower also eliminates germs and yeast. It cleans away styling chemicals and prevents congested pores in the scalp.
Experts advise that you wash your hair with shampoo and water a few times per week as part of your regular routine. Hair that is neither dry nor greasy can normally be washed twice or three times each week. Curly or textured hair requires different hair care practices and may be washed less frequently.
Those who follow the Curly Girl Method, for example, only wash their hair once in a while with standard shampoo and instead use conditioner to keep their hair clean. Black individuals may wash their hair with shampoo once or twice a week, depending on their hair structure.
Is butane toxic in dry shampoo?
The smaller they are, the easier it is for them to go into your lungs and the deeper they go. Factors including airborne concentration, frequency of usage, and duration all play a role in posing a risk to your health.
Exposure to these substances can impact not just your lungs, but also your bloodstream.
Butane can damage you when inhaled, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
Butane, isobutene, propane, and alcohol are the most popular propellants. They are flammable volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It’s best not to inhale them. And stay away from open flames, because spraying dry shampoo becomes a blowtorch in the presence of an open flame, just like hairspray!
Aluminum starch or silica are the most common active absorbents and abrasives. They absorb moisture and greasy coatings, as well as some of the grime that has accumulated on the hair.
Inhaling dry shampoo chemicals like talc (magnesium silicate), silica (silicon dioxide, called sand), cornstarch, or aluminum starch is harmful to your health, especially if you have a lung ailment like asthma. Cornstarch inhalation has been associated to airway inflammation, which can lead to tissue damage (1). Cornstarch creates adhesions when inhaled, and your body can have a strong inflammatory reaction that leads to scarring. (2) Silica inhalation can cause silicosis, which can result in lifelong lung damage. (3) Talc, on the other hand, is even worse. (4)
Are dry shampoos toxic?
Every day, washing, drying, and styling your hair takes a significant amount of time… However, it is not healthy for your hair! It’s no surprise that dry shampoo has become so popular in the last decade. Dry shampoo can help us look and feel great while conserving time and energy that could be better spent elsewhere.
The trouble is that most traditional dry shampoos include harmful components that can cause allergic responses, fertility issues, and even cancer. In this piece, we’ll go through the hazardous components to avoid, as well as our recommended non-toxic dry shampoo brands to replace them.
