A dermatologist has warned against a viral DIY beauty trend that can wreak havoc on hair, despite its initial allure.
It’s no secret the internet is awash with countless health and beauty tips. But beauty enthusiasts are now being warned off a ‘glitter hair hack’ that causes more harm than it’s worth.
At first glance, the glitter hair trend seems innocuous enough, with users mixing craft glitter and sometimes glue into their shampoo. After rinsing, they flaunt their shimmering tresses online, which look particularly mesmerising in photos.
Influencer Amara Chehade is among those to join in on the craze, posting her own attempt on TikTok (@amarachehade). “Love this! “, she exclaimed in a post, which shows her mixing a heap of gold glitter into Pantene shampoo before applying it to her roots for that sought-after sparkle.
The clip has exploded online, amassing an impressive 459k likes and thousands of comments from curious followers.
One user questioned: “I’m just wondering how it doesn’t itch your scalp and how long it’s gonna take to come out,” while others expressed concern: “Would this not damage your scalp???” and simply asked: “But why?”.
Amid this, Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, a UAE-based dermatologist and co-founder of PowerYourCurls, has advised against the alluring glitter hair trend. Speaking to The Mirror, he cautioned: “Glitter can be stunning to look at but leaving it on in your hair can be harmful for the health of your hair.”
“Once it stays on your hair, the glitter, which is made of plastic, will melt and will leave your hair smelling like plastic and will be fried. It will even worsen when you use heat styling tools because your hair will get dry, brittle, and may weaken over time.”
Dr Hamed highlighted that much of the glitter from craft sets is composed of toxic plastics that can block hair follicles, potentially causing scalp irritation, dandruff, and hindering healthy hair growth.
“This is also the reason why you should avoid plastic ingredients or artificial ingredients such as parabens in your hair products,” he continued. “They are toxic and can lead to issues in our bodies. Plastics are also common in hairsprays and when you breathe in the particles, it can cause cardiovascular issues and lung disease.”
For those disheartened by the news, Dr Hamed suggests alternative ways to add shimmer to your locks, such as hair gloss and colour sprays, which are safer options if purchased from stores. He also recommends using glittery clips and headbands as damage-free alternatives for that extra sparkle.
He further stated: “Glitter should not be placed in cosmetics. They may be fun to look at but they are non-biodegradable materials that can’t be recycled. They are also bad for the body and even for the environment.”