The Fascinating World of Hairsprays

Let's dive into the fascinating world of hairsprays and unravel the distinctions among various professional types of sprays. This article will assist you in determining when and why each hairspray is used in professional salons.

Lets Start by Understanding Professional Hairsprays:

There are two main categories of sprays:

1. Working Sprays offer minimal hold, high flexibility, and allow continual adjustments to a hairstyle. Example: Rusk Working Spray. Hold factors range from 2 to 5.

2. Finishing Sprays are applied at the end of styling services to secure the hairstyle against humidity and activity. Example: Joico Power Spray. Hold Factor: 8-10.
   

Most finishing sprays add shine, while others yield a matte finish, offering choices based on personal and client preferences.

The Chemistry Behind Hairsprays:

Hairsprays consist of polymer blends that offer structural reinforcement to the hair. These blends often feature copolymers, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). Harder films (finishing sprays) are achieved with vinyl acetate-crotonic acid copolymers. Variations of these chemicals allow the formulation of hairsprays with flexible, medium, and maximum hold options.

Hairsprays typically contain 25-50% alcohol. Usually isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) or ethanol is used. This allows for the quick evaporation of the solution known as hairspray.

Hairspray Mechanisms:

Hairsprays are available in aerosol cans or pump bottles. Either form of spray should be held 8-12 inches form the hairstyle during the application.

Aerosol Spray:

Mechanism: Aerosol uses a compressed gas propellant inside a sealed can which forces the product out when the nozzle is pressed.

Dispensing: The product is released as a fine mist or spray, covering a larger area with an even distribution.

Advantages: Provides a continuous, controlled spray; often preferred for finer hair and complex hairstyles and upstyles.

Considerations: Aerosol sprays may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and have environmental implications due to the propellant used. It is best to use an aerosol that drops quickly and does not linger in the air.

Pump Bottle Spray:

Mechanism: The pump relies on a manual trigger (pump) mechanism to draw the product from the bottle and release it through the nozzle.

Dispensing: The product is typically dispensed in a targeted stream or spray, allowing more precision in application.

Advantages: Offers control over the amount of product dispensed, making it suitable for specific areas or styles.

Considerations: May require more manual effort, and the spray pattern might vary depending on the design of the pump. The pump bottle is nice for curly hair.

The choice between an aerosol spray and a pump bottle spray depends upon personal preference, the type of hairstyle, and the desired application. Aerosol sprays are often favored for their even distribution, while pump bottle sprays provide more control for localized or precise application.

Safety tip: Always use hairsprays as directed by the manufacturer, use aerosol hairsprays in a well-ventilated area and remember hairspray is flammable .

Hairspray Terminology:

Flexibility: Describes post-application movement; opt for more flexibility for dynamic styles.

Hold: Indicates the extent of hairstyle retention; hold factor scales vary among products.

Note: Attend product knowledge classes for a comprehensive understanding of each product and optimal client recommendations.

VOC/LVOC: VOC, or Volatile Organic Compound, denotes potentially harmful chemicals in aerosol cans.

LVOC, Low Volatile Organic Compounds, aligns with new regulations to reduce environmental impact.

The Top 8 Hairsprays Preferred by Professionals:

1. Everyday Basic Hairsprays: Example: Sebastian Professional Shaper Spray. Light sprays with a lower hold factor for daily use.

2. Volumizing Hairsprays: Example: Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play Volumizing Hairspray. Locks in volume, creating the illusion of thicker, fuller hair.

3. Shaping Hairsprays: Example: Kenra Shaping Spray 21. Slow-drying, used during or after styling, allowing natural movement while maintaining the style.

4. Texture Sprays: Example: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray. Used on the hair shaft, providing airy volume and separation without the residue of dry shampoo.

5. Thermal Sprays: Example: Redken Hot Sets 22. Essential for heat-styling, adding moisture, preventing natural moisture evaporation, and forming a protective barrier.

6. Weightless Sprays: Example: Healthy Sexy Hair So Touchable Weightless Spray. Incredibly light, ideal for super-fine hair, suitable for everyday use.

7. Freeze Sprays: Example: Matrix Vavoom Freeze Spray. Offers the strongest hold, ensuring hairstyles remain in place for an extended period.

8. Shine Sprays: Example: TIGI Bed Head Masterpiece Mega Shine Hairspray.

A finishing spray adding mega shine to the completed hairstyle.

Thanks for taking a few minutes to dive into the hairspray world. I hope this knowledge has armed you with the confidence to choose the right hairspray for various styling needs and enhances your professional hairstyling repertoire.

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