Hairspray, a widely used styling product, holds hairstyles in place and adds a finishing touch to create a glamorous overall look. It's a staple for many who want to maintain their desired hairstyle throughout the day. However, just like any other chemical product, hairspray has potential side effects that are important to consider for long-term health. While single-use may not cause significant harm, prolonged and frequent use of hairspray can lead to several adverse effects on hair, scalp, and overall health.
Many hairsprays contain ethanol, a type of alcohol. Alcohol dries the scalp and hair, destroying proteins, fats, and the natural conditioning. Destroying the natural state of the hair will go a long way to cripple the integrity of the hair. To play safe, it’s best to opt for other options that do not contain ethanol as their solvent as this will encourage hydration and promote healthier hair growth and look.
With prolonged application, hairspray coats the hair with layers of product. This weakens the hair cuticles, making the hair prone to breakage and hair loss. Frequent users may notice increased hair loss during brushing as the hair is easily pulled out of its cuticle.
Regular use of hairspray can lead to product buildup on the hair, making it resistant to new products. This buildup can also manifest as a white, dandruff-like substance on the hair and scalp, which can be unsightly. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week is recommended to clear the debris and properly clean the scalp.
Over time, the polymers in hairspray can diminish the hair's natural luster, making it look dull due to deprivation of hair nutrients over time.
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A research study of hair stylists found that respiratory issues like coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and sneezing were linked to inhaling hairspray products. Some stylists also had decreased lung function compared to those who didn't work with these products. Aerosol hairsprays may be the worst offenders due to their propellants.
A 60-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to the hospital with a fever and shortness of breath that occurred immediately after using hairspray. Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed ground-glass opacities (GGOs) predominantly distributed around the bronchovascular bundles. A pathological evaluation by a transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) revealed fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (f-NSIP). Her symptoms disappeared without the use of corticosteroids, and GGOs on HRCT improved markedly over time.
This case suggests that a pathological evaluation by a TBLC for lung injury due to inhalation pathogen exposure may provide a more accurate diagnosis and a better understanding of the pathology from bronchial to interstitial lesions than transbronchial lung biopsy. Lung injury due to inhalation pathogen exposure is represented by hypersensitivity pneumonitis, eosinophilic pneumonia, pneumoconiosis, and lipoid pneumonia, but it is also widely known that some of these conditions develop after the use of hairspray, waterproof spray, isocyanate-containing paints, and insecticides when aerosol particles are generated at the time of use.
The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) obtained from the right B4 had a recovery rate of 66.0%, a transparent appearance, lymphocyte CD4/CD8 ratio of 0.45, and contained 60.0% macrophages, 33.4% lymphocytes, 1.8% neutrophils, and 4.6% eosinophils. Microbiological tests for bacteria, fungi, acid-fast bacilli, and Pneumocystis jirovecii polymerase chain reaction in BALF were negative.
The pathology of these specimens showed diffuse uniform thickening of the alveolar septum accompanied by deposition of collagen and elastic fibers, which is suggestive of fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (f-NSIP). Moderate intraluminal organization and mild infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophils were also observed, and in some alveolar cavities, a cluster of eosinophilic macrophages was confirmed. The bronchial membrane collected in the right B9a using the same cryoprobe showed mild infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophils.
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Based on the onset of the disease after the start of hairspray use and the above findings, she was diagnosed with hairspray inhalation-induced interstitial pneumonitis. An additional interview with the patient revealed that the hairspray contained lanolin. The chief complaints of a fever and dyspnea gradually improved after hospitalization without the use of corticosteroids. There was no apparent recurrence after the patient was discharged, and the GGOs had disappeared on HRCT performed on day 51.
This case is the first known instance of hairspray-induced interstitial pneumonitis that was histologically evaluated by a TBLC, confirming the findings of an f-NSIP pattern. This case also highlights the potential of TBLC to contribute to a more accurate diagnosis and better aid in the inference of the etiology of hairspray-induced pneumonitis than transbronchial lung biopsy because of its ability to assess pathology from the bronchioles to the interstinum. In the case of spontaneous improvement of NSIP, it is necessary to consider hairspray inhalation-induced interstitial pneumonitis as one of the differential diagnoses.
Aerosol hairsprays contain propellants that can disrupt hormones and even cause heart complications. Some hairsprays contain hormone-disrupting ingredients such as phthalates and triclosan that have been linked to cancer and other health issues.
Inhalants are substances that people inhale (breathe in) to cause a pleasurable feeling or effect (“high”). The chemicals are found in common household and workplace products that produce fumes (vapors). When you inhale these fumes, your brain absorbs them quickly, producing a quick “high.” Chronic use of inhalants can result in irreversible side effects, including brain damage, coma and even death.
Inhalants are grouped by a common route of use as opposed to a similar mechanism of action. Inhalant use is most common among teenagers, but can continue into adulthood. Hydrocarbons are used as solvents in inhalants and have several physiologic effects. They exert depressant effects on the central nervous system, causing the ‘high’ most abusers chase. In severe cases of toxicity, death can result from cardiac arrhythmia, known as sudden sniffing death syndrome.
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There are different ways to use inhalants, such as sniffing, huffing, and bagging. Sniffing involves direct inhalation from a container. Huffing is when a cloth is soaked in a substance and held over the mouth and nose. Bagging is when a paper or plastic bag is held over the face to maximize the concentration of the fumes.
In the central nervous system, hydrocarbons are readily absorbed and act as depressants. They can cause free radical injury to the hippocampus, resulting in memory problems in chronic users, defined as using 2-3 times a week for 6 months. In the lungs, hydrocarbons disrupt surfactant and thus decrease lung compliance.
Hydrocarbons increase the sensitivity of the cardiac myocardium to catecholamines, increasing the risk of arrhythmia. Long-term use of hydrocarbons can cause myocardial degenerative changes such as intramyocardial hemorrhages, contraction band necrosis, ruptured myofibrils, and interstitial fibrosis.
Inhalant abuse is prevalent mostly in teenagers but can continue into adulthood. Hydrocarbon solvents cause the ‘high’ but have detrimental effects on all organ systems. Arrhythmia and heart failure should be considered in patients who present with chest pain or shortness of breath in the setting of inhalant abuse.
Intoxication on inhalants only lasts for a few minutes, so people who use these drugs often try to prolong their “high” by repeatedly inhaling over the course of several hours. This kind of inhalant use is very dangerous. It can lead to loss of consciousness and even death.
A condition called “sudden sniffing death” can happen after a single time using an inhalant by an otherwise healthy person. This type of overdose death is especially associated with the use of propane, butane and chemicals in aerosols.
Inhalant use can also lead to death by asphyxiation from: Repeated inhalations (high concentrations of inhaled fumes displace oxygen in the lungs) and Suffocation (inhaling fumes from a plastic bag).
There are four general categories of inhalants:
Inhalants affect everyone differently, but most affect the central nervous system. Short-term effects may include:
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