One haircare session can lead you to inhale 17 mg of harmful chemicals.
It is advisable to switch on the exhaust fan during the haircare routine. Doing so can reduce exposure to dangerous chemicals by over 90%.
The cosmetic industry has been growing at an unprecedented pace over the last few years. However, scientists have warned against the use of haircare products as they can prove to be hazardous for your luscious locks due to the presence of dangerous chemicals. Researchers suggest that most of the shampoos available in the market may pose potential health risks.
Recently, a study was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. It highlighted that chemicals used in haircare products, when inhaled, negatively impact the respiratory tract, liver and nervous system. As per the researchers at Purdue University in the United States, a single haircare session at home can lead you to inhale 17 mg of potentially harmful chemicals.
While speaking to The Independent, the co-author Nusrat Jung said, “The use of the chemical in wash-off cosmetic products has already been restricted in the European Union because of this. Many of these products are scented, too, and some of the chemicals used to make these fragrances are potentially dangerous to inhale as well.”
The chemical with the most harmful tendency and raised concerns is decamethylcyclopentasiloxane or D5 siloxane. The chemical has been found to have adverse effects on the respiratory tract, liver and nervous system. Owing to safety concerns, the European Union has already restricted its use of wash-off cosmetic products due to safety concerns. The study also discovered that most of the haircare products these days are scented which can add to the inhalation risks.
“The use of the chemical in wash-off cosmetic products has already been restricted in the European Union because of this,” Dr Jung said. She added, “Many of these products are scented, too, and some of the chemicals used to make these fragrances are potentially dangerous to inhale as well.”
Well, it is advisable to switch on the exhaust fan during the haircare routine. This is because turning on the exhaust fan can reduce D5 inhalation exposures by over 90 per cent.
