Why You Should Never Spray Perfume In Your Hair

A spritz of perfume can offer a boost of confidence on a first date or during a job interview. At times, perfume scents can even help mask body odors you may feel self-conscious about, making it easier to put your best foot forward when trying to make a good impression.

However, wearing perfume every day may not always be a health-conscious choice. According to Healthline, the chemicals in commercial perfumes can cause contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, and other physical irritation. In fact, a 2009 study published in the Journal of Environmental Health found that nearly one in three Americans experiences irritation from scented products.

Even if you don't notice an adverse reaction when wearing perfume, the way you apply it may discreetly cause damage. For instance, some may recommend spritzing perfume on the hair to make the smell last longer (via The Perfume Society). However, following this beauty hack could alter your tresses over time.

While perfume in your hair may smell nice, it may not be the best area to apply it to in the long run. By spritzing on perfume, you can jeopardize hair health by drying out the hair and scalp, explains Healthline. Turns out, the ethyl alcohol found in a variety of cosmetics, which is usually listed as alcohol in the ingredients list, is often to blame for this drying effect, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. The dry scalp and hair can lack moisture and protective oils from the hair, causing breakage, dullness, and frizz (per WebMD).

Now to add some fragrance to your hair with less damage, Cosmopolitan suggests spraying the perfume on a brush and then sweeping it through the hair. An even safer option is to choose alcohol-free products that are designed for use on the hair. However, keep in mind that some cosmetics that claim to be alcohol-free may contain cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl, or lanolin alcohols (via U.S. Food & Drug Administration). Therefore, it's best to consider scented hair mists, hair oils, hydrating serums, and dry shampoo rather than harsh perfumes (per Healthline).

In fact, a chemist and fragrance expert, Matthew Milèo, told Byrdie that oils in the perfume attach well to the skin, and the body's warmth helps to emit the scent's essence. All in all, stick to your favorite go-to perfume, but apply it to the skin rather than your hair for less long-term damage.