If you read the ingredients on a standard brand of dry shampoo, you might notice unusual substances like propane and butane, which you believed were exclusively used to light a barbecue. This is concerning since 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 quickly 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, affirms 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 brands should be avoided until more is known about their effects. Meanwhile, keep away from open flames to avoid any “Michael Jackson Pepsi ad” drama, and check your bottle for hazardous contents before creating a scene at airport security.
Why is propane used in dry shampoo?
Dry shampoo solutions, which are available in spray or powder form, serve 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.” Most dry shampoos contain a propellant, an absorbent, and an abrasive, all of which work together to clean your hair.
The propellants (butane, isobutane, propane, alcohol, etc.) in the initial component of dry shampoo serve 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 act as both sponges and scouring pads, absorbing the grease and oil present on your roots.
The starch granules function as sponges when the shampoo is first blasted over the hair, says Dr. Zasloff. When the starch is brushed out of the hair shafts, they function as scouring pads, sweeping across the surface.
Is propane present in dry shampoo?
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 in 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.
How dangerous is dry shampoo?
If we polled a group of people to determine the best beauty invention of the last decade, we’re confident that dry shampoo would win. Dry shampoo has saved us from second-day hair, enabling us to go right from a sweaty spin class to brunch, and simply makes getting ready easier. We can’t live without it, in a nutshell!
However, most dry shampoos contain hazardous substances such as butane, propane, talc, and scent. Talc has been linked to cancer, and perfumes can include a slew of unknown compounds. Why would we want to use the same gas that we use to barbecue on our hair?! Gross.
Furthermore, practically all dry shampoo sold at a big box retailer comes in an aerosol can. Aerosol propellants can harm the ozone layer and cause major environmental damage. And while applying dry shampoo, those tiny particles formed by aerosol can easily be ingested.
We understand how tough it is to find a suitable alternative to traditional dry shampoo in an aerosol bottle. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our top picks! All of these dry shampoos are designed with healthier chemicals and come in a non-aerosol container.
Is it true that butane in dry shampoo is harmful?
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.
Is it true that butane causes hair loss?
Gaunitz concurs. He advises that if you are already experiencing hair loss or thinning, dry shampoo should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. “Dry shampoo, in my perspective, will not normally cause hair loss, but it will exacerbate an underlying hair loss condition,” he explains. “Inflammation can be caused by components in your typical dry shampoo, such as butane and other starches that break down on the surface of the scalp, leading to rapid hair loss and exacerbation of scalp diseases.”
What is the purpose of propane 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.
Is it safe to inhale dry shampoo?
- Use gently; the abrasive impact on hair and scalp might cause hair damage.
- Propellers are flammable, so keep them away from open flames. When you have the opportunity, shampoo your hair since it is the most effective form of cleanliness.
When you don’t have time to shampoo, dry shampoo is a blessing. It’s especially useful if you don’t want a sweaty workout to ruin a good hair day or if you want to keep a well-done blowout intact. But keep in mind that this is only a temporary solution. A healthy biome begins with unclogged and entirely undamaged hair and scalp, resulting in root-deep, vivid hair. Keep it clean while conserving the amazing system that Mother Nature has given you. Your hair and scalp will be healthy and lovely if you do so.
Butane is utilized in hair products for a reason.
Aerosol shaving creams, skin fresheners, makeup, hair conditioners, deodorants, cosmetics, and personal hygiene items use propane and butane as propellants. Propane and butane are propellants that are employed as inert components in pesticide products.
Is it true that dry shampoo might cause cancer?
Benzene is a recognized carcinogen that has been associated to leukemia in particular. In their statement, P&G pretty well sums it up:
“Benzene is a human carcinogen, according to the World Health Organization. Exposure to benzene can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or contact with the skin, and it can cause cancers such as leukemia and blood cancers of the bone marrow, as well as life-threatening blood diseases. Daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels discovered in our testing would not be expected to generate adverse health consequences, according to exposure modeling and cancer risk assessments released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (IRIS database).
