Is hairspray safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about hairspray during pregnancy?

1. A case-control study found that mothers who reported occupational, workplace exposure to hair spray during early pregnancy had higher odds of having a son with hypospadias (adjusted odds ratio 2.39), but this reflects repeated, job-related exposure, not the occasional personal use of hairspray at home. 1
2. The same study found that hairdressers as a job title alone did not show a statistically significant increase in hypospadias risk (adjusted odds ratio 2.59, with a wide confidence interval spanning 0.70 to 12.32), which points more toward the specific exposure pattern than the job title itself. 1
3. A systematic review of pregnancy outcomes among hairdressers, who are exposed to hairspray and other salon chemicals for full shifts at work, concluded that overall evidence for fertility and pregnancy complications is low quality and inconsistent from study to study, with only one of several studies finding a statistically significant increase in preterm birth. 2
4. A scoping review of 23 studies across 14 countries found hairdressers are most often exposed at work to formaldehyde, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds like toluene in salon air over a full shift, a very different exposure pattern than someone spraying their own hair for a few seconds at home. 3
5. MotherToBaby's broader guidance on cosmetic ingredients states that, as of now, no adverse health hazards have been identified for pregnant people from the parabens, sulfates, or phthalates found in everyday personal care products, though anyone who wants to limit exposure can check ingredient labels. 4

Is hairspray safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. The first trimester is when the one case-control study saw its strongest signal for occupational, workplace-level hairspray exposure, so if you work in a salon full-time, this is a good trimester to talk with your employer and your provider about extra ventilation.
• Second trimester. Nothing in the research points to a different risk profile in the second trimester specifically; the same ventilation habits, an open window, a fan, short bursts rather than a heavy cloud, apply throughout.
• Third trimester. Late pregnancy doesn't change the guidance either. If your job has you near hairspray for hours at a time, keep leaning on ventilation and breaks, and mention any new symptoms like headaches or throat irritation to your provider.