Kinds of Chemicals Used in a Salon - Types and Their Effect

Introduction:

There are many chemicals used daily in salons. Chemicals are required for various procedures which are done to enhance the appearance of hair, skin, and nails. However, these chemicals can pose a risk to health from exposure. Upon exposure, these chemicals can enter the body by breathing, accidental eye or skin contact, or swallowing, which happens during eating if chemical residues are left over the hands. These chemicals can cause lung and kidney damage, skin irritations, and other complications.

Which Are the Procedures in Salons That Involve Chemicals?

Several nail, hair, and skin care procedures are carried out daily in salons. These procedures make use of products that contain chemicals. The presence of these chemicals in those products makes them hazardous to health. These chemical products are listed below:

• Chemical hair straightening products.

• Hair colors.

• Artificial nails.

• Hair spray.

• Shampoo.

• Nail polish remover.

• Fingernail glue remover.

• Artificial nail liquid.

• Nail primer.

• Permanent wave solution.

• Hair dye.

• Wig glue.

• Hairpiece bonding material.

• Cleaning products and disinfectants.

• Hair extension glue.

• Permanent hair wave products.

• Fake eyelashes glue.

What Are the Chemicals Found in Salons?

The chemicals commonly found in salons are listed below:

• Dibutyl Phthalate: This chemical is found in nail polish. It can cause symptoms like nausea and eye and skin irritation upon exposure.

• Formaldehyde or Methylene Glycol: This chemical is most commonly present in keratin straighteners, nail hardeners, and nail polish. Upon exposure, it can lead to breathing problems, coughing, wheezing, skin rashes, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. In addition, long-term exposure can cause cancer or dermatitis (irritation and infection of the skin).

• Toluene: Toluene is a chemical found in hair dye, wigs, hair extension glue, nail glue, nail polish, and hairpiece bonding. The symptoms of exposure include dizziness, eye, nose, and throat infection, skin irritation, and headache. In addition, it can damage the liver and kidney, and it can cause miscarriage and birth defects in pregnant women.

• Methyl Methacrylate (MMA): MMA is found in artificial nails. Headache, confusion, eye, nose, and throat irritation, breathing problems, and chest tightness are the common symptoms observed on exposure to MMA. Long-term side effects include loss of smell, reproductive toxins, and even asthma.

• Cyclopentasiloxane or Cyclomethicone: These chemicals are found in products like hair sprays, flat iron sprays, and thermal protection sprays. During the use of these sprays, the cyclopentasiloxane makes formaldehyde under the high heat of a flat iron. This formaldehyde can cause breathing issues like coughing, wheezing, rashes on the skin, and irritation of the eye, nose, and throat. In addition, long-term exposure to formaldehyde that is formed by Cyclopentasiloxane can cause dermatitis and cancer.

• Styrene: Styrene chemical is found in hair extension glue or hair wig glue. Its exposure can cause lethargy, vision impairments, and difficulty concentrating. Long-term side effects include cancer.

• Trichloroethylene: Trichloroethylene is also found in hair extension glue and lace wig glue. Its symptoms on exposure include headache, confusion, dizziness, skin and eye irritation, and nausea. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage, double vision, and dermatitis.

• 1,4 Dioxane: This chemical is found in hair extension glue and lace wig glue. It can cause eye and nose irritation. Long-term exposure side effects include liver and kidney damage as well as cancer.

• 2-Butoxyethanol or Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether: This chemical is found in disinfectants and cleaners. It can cause headaches along with eye and nose irritation. Long-term exposure side effects include the production of reproductive toxins.

In addition, considering their side effects, these chemicals can be replaced by products containing safer alternatives, especially hair straightening products and hair dyes. Among the chemicals mentioned above, toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate are known as the “toxic trio.” The toxic trio is highly toxic, and nowadays, due to safety reasons, products are claiming to be free from the toxic trio. These toxic trio-free products are called 3-free products.

What Are the Harmful Chemicals Found in Salons?

Some chemicals are harmful to health, and safer alternatives are not available for these chemicals. These toxic chemicals found in salons are listed below:

• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds or Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride: This chemical is present in disinfectants and cleaners and can cause symptoms like skin, eye, and nose irritation on exposure. Prolonged exposure can lead to asthma.

• P- Phenylenediamine: This type of chemical is found in hair dyes, black henna, and tattoos. It can irritate the skin upon exposure. Long-term side effects include irritation of the skin or dermatitis.

• Glyceryl Thioglycolate: This chemical is present in the solutions used for permanent hair waves or acid perms. It can also cause skin irritation on exposure. Long-term exposure can lead to side effects like dermatitis.

• Ammonium Persulfate: This chemical is an ingredient of hair bleach, and it can cause skin, nose, and eye irritation, and breathing problems like coughing and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure can cause asthma and dermatitis.

• Ethyl Methacrylate: Ethyl methacrylate is found in artificial nails. Exposure can cause skin, eye irritation, and rashes on the eyelids, face, and neck trouble concentrating, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and cough.

• Acetone: Acetone is commonly found in nail polish removers and hair sprays. It can lead to irritation of the eye, skin, and throat along with dizziness on prolonged exposure.

• Acetonitrile: It is found in nail glue remover. On exposure, it can cause nausea, tightness in the chest, and irritation of the eye, skin, throat, and face flush. Weakness and exhaustion are the symptoms of prolonged exposure to acetonitrile.

• Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, or Isopropyl Acetate: These chemicals are found in nail polish remover, nail polish, hair wig glue, or hairpiece bonding. They can cause headaches, dizziness, and irritation of the eye, skin, and throat. Its long-term side effects are dermatitis.

• Methacrylic Acid: This chemical is present in nail primers and fake eyelash glue. This can irritate the eye, nose, and throat and cause skin burns. Its long-term side effects include kidney damage, reproductive toxins, and dermatitis.

How to Reduce the Exposure of Harmful Chemicals in Salons?

Some safety measures should be taken to minimize the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals in salons. Therefore, salon workers are advised to follow the instructions below

• Good ventilation in the salon always helps to minimize exposure. Ventilation tends to lower the chemical levels in salons.

• It is necessary to wash hands before eating, drinking, or putting on cosmetics to avoid exposure.

• All the eatables such as food and drink should be covered all the time, and it is advised not to keep or eat food in the working areas in salons.

• It is advisable to keep trash cans tightly closed.

• Use the chemical products in smaller quantities.

• To protect against skin exposure, nitrile gloves, and protective clothing should be worn.

Conclusion:

To conclude, some chemicals used in salons have dangerous side effects on exposure. Therefore, for safety purposes, it is advisable to use safer alternatives to such chemicals and take proper measures to minimize exposure like adequate ventilation, protecting food and drink from the chemicals, and wearing protective clothing to prevent skin contact. In addition, safety measures should be taken when using these chemical products at home.