What happens if you put hand sanitizer in your hair? 14 risks to know

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Picture a bustling morning where, inadvertently, you replace your trusted hair gel with hand sanitizer.

The aftermath of such an unintentional haircare experiment can be disastrous.

Let’s unravel the unexpected and expected outcomes of what happens if you put hand sanitizer in your hair.

Decoding hand sanitizer: the risks

Before we untangle the details, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamental composition of hand sanitizer.

Primarily consisting of alcohol, water, and various enhancements, hand sanitizers are developed to eliminate germs on hands, paying little heed to the welfare of your hair.

The alcohol conundrum

Most hand sanitizers boast a significant alcohol and chemical content, renowned for their drying qualities.

When applied to the hair, this elevated alcohol concentration holds the potential to strip away natural oils, resulting in pronounced dryness and potential harm.

Diminished radiance

One of the initial repercussions you may witness is the waning radiance of your hair.

The alcohol in hand sanitizer can dull the innate luster, stripping oils, and damage hair, leaving your hair lackluster and devoid of vibrancy.

Color conundrum

Applying sanitizer to your hair as a quick fix may harm color, stripping away hair color with harsh chemicals, resulting in faded and uneven coloring.

This clash between the desire for a quick solution and the impact on a hair hue underscores the importance of considering the potential consequences before using hand sanitizer on your scalp.

Scalp sensitivity

Hand sanitizer removes dirt but strips crucial scalp oils, risking sensitivity. Its harsh chemicals, designed to eliminate bacteria, disrupt the scalp’s natural balance.

Hand sanitizer intended to eliminate germs may lead to greasy and oily hair, exacerbating the problem.

Opting for gentler alternatives like tea tree oil in specialized products ensures effective cleansing without compromising your scalp’s well-being.

Fragrance fallout

While hand sanitizers often feature pleasant scents, these fragrances may not harmonize well with your hair, potentially leaving you smelling more like a walking hand sanitizer dispenser than a blossoming flower.

The tangle tango

Prepare for a tangled tango! Dry and coarse hair is more prone to tangling, turning your daily haircare routine into a skirmish against knots and snarls.

Lack of nourishment

Hand sanitizer does not contain the necessary nutrients crucial for hair health. Unlike dedicated hair products, it fails to supply the nourishment needed, leaving your hair longing for moisture.

Breakage blues

Dry and brittle hair is inherently more susceptible to breakage. Hand sanitizer compromising the structural integrity of your hair renders it susceptible to snapping and the emergence of split ends.

Elasticity erosion

Hair requires elasticity for strength and flexibility. Unfortunately, hand sanitizer can erode this elasticity, rendering your hair more vulnerable to damage.

Volume vanishing act

Hand sanitizer on hair leads to volume loss and a lack of essential nutrients. It strips natural oils, leaving strands flat and lifeless instead of adding body.

Hand sanitizer causes dryness, reducing volume. Choose nourishing products, like dry shampoo or apple cider vinegar, to remove dirt without compromising bounce.

Beware of severe dandruff risks due to sanitizer’s harsh impact on the scalp.

Heat hazard

Hand sanitizer worsens hair dryness, heightening heat damage risk. Swift alcohol evaporation generates heat, potentially causing harm, especially with styling tools.

Protect your hair—opt for hair-friendly solutions. Embrace the cool touch of a hydrating shampoo; save the heat for styling, steering clear of the unintended consequences of hand sanitizer in your hair.

Moisture meltdown

Bid farewell to moisture! Hand sanitizer has the potential to strip your hair of its natural moisture, leaving it parched, and depletion of moisture results in dry, brittle hair with a dull appearance.

Gel gone awry

For those pondering hand sanitizer as a quick substitute for hair gel, think again. The isopropyl alcohol
may yield less-than-desirable results, causing more harm than providing the desired hold.

Regrettable unruliness

Using sanitizer on your hair leads to regrettable unruliness, stripping natural oils and essential oils, causing dryness, frizz, tangles, and moisture loss.

Hand sanitizer can irritate the scalp, disrupt hair balance, cause unruly texture, and lead to hair loss, resulting in regrettable dryness and frizz.

Wash it away

After applying sanitizer to your hair, the first step is to wash your hair!

To restore hair health after hand sanitizer use, wash away residue. Baking soda and apple cider vinegar effectively eliminate stubborn residue, unlike suitable products like essential oils-infused dry shampoo.

Natural cleansers break down sanitizer remnants and maintain hair balance, killing bacteria for fresh, residue-free hair.

Conclusion

Using hand sanitizer on your hair seems convenient but results in an unglamorous aftermath.

Adhere to products tailored to your specific hair type, be it oily hair, greasy hair, or fine hair. Your hair will thank you for the care.

Can hand sanitizer be a substitute for hair products? The answer remains NO; hand sanitizer’s job is to kill bacteria. Can hand sanitizer harm my hair? Yes, it certainly can.

Frequently asked questions