Short answer
No, most hair gel is not bad for you. However, some types of gel do contain ingredients which can cause damage to your hair, scalp, and even your health.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
A few years ago, a terrifying rumor started circulating the internet which claimed that hair gel could actually cause you to go bald. It was said that leaving the product in for too long could clog the pores in your scalp and repress hair growth. This year, the U.K. Telegraph finally put this hoax to rest: they interviewed many experts at hair loss clinics throughout Great Britain who all concurred that there was absolutely no scientific evidence to support that hair gel makes you go bald.
But even though gel won’t cause you to lose your locks, certain kinds can be bad for your hair and skin. There are safe hair gel products out there—you just have to check the ingredient labels and know what to avoid.
Some gels contain alcohol, which is harshly drying to your hair and scalp. Alcohol-based gel may cause your scalp to itch and flake, while simultaneously making the shaft of your hair more brittle and prone to breakage. So while you won’t go bald, you might end up with thin, damaged hair.
Propylene glycol (PG) is another ingredient to avoid. PG is used to create the appearance of soft, shiny, healthy hair... but it breaks down proteins and cellular structure in the process. Worse yet, PG has even been called out by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of the top 10 commonly used hair care ingredients that may negatively impact health with frequent use or overexposure.
It’s also crucial to avoid hair gel (or any cosmetic product, for that matter) that contains the word “fragrance” on the ingredient label. It may seem harmless, but “fragrance” is actually a blanket term for thousands of different chemicals—some of which may cause allergic reactions, skin irritations, hormone disruption or even cancer.
There are also some ingredients that you actually want to find in your hair gel. Seek out products that contain natural moisturizers, such as chamomile, aloe vera, henna, amla and jojoba. These ingredients will help hold your hair style without drying out your strands or your scalp.
While it’s very important to pay attention to ingredients, it’s also critical to follow product directions. Hair gel should be applied as directed and washed out after 24 hours. If the product is left on for too long, gel can irritate the scalp and cause itchiness, inflammation, and dandruff. It won’t cause any permanent damage, but it can be very uncomfortable and even painful to deal with for a few days.
Possible short-term side effects
- scalp irritation
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inflammation
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itchiness
Possible long-term side effects
- dry, brittle hair
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dandruff
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- curl definition
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holds hair style
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shine
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