Is it safe to use hairspray while pregnant?
Use it sparingly. Hairspray is easy to inhale, and fragrance can hide specific phthalates on the label.
What to know
Hairspray sends small droplets into the air near your face. That means you can breathe in alcohols, fragrance ingredients, film-forming polymers, and other volatile ingredients while the spray dries.
Pregnancy is a good time to lower exposures you do not need. Occasional hairspray in a well-ventilated room is different from daily spraying in a small bathroom.
What the research says
FDA phthalate guidance says cosmetics that may contain phthalates include hair sprays. It also says fragrance or flavor can be listed as a general ingredient, so shoppers may not see each specific fragrance chemical on the label.
A 2025 Nature Communications study linked prenatal phthalate exposure with changes in newborn metabolome and infant neurodevelopment measures. This does not prove one hairspray use harms pregnancy. It supports a practical rule: reduce repeated fragrance and phthalate exposure when you can.
Use hairspray outside or near a fan, spray away from your face, and choose unscented products when possible. For many days, a silk hair tie or silk pillowcase can help with lower-friction styling without spray.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Phthalates in Cosmetics | FDA | 2024 |
| Impact of prenatal phthalate exposure on newborn metabolome and infant neurodevelopment. | Nat Commun | 2025 |