climate change blonde highlights wavy hair

Climate Change and Hair Care: Exploring the Effects of Aerosol on the Ozone Layer

Climate change is very real and we have to do our part!

There’s no denying that climate change is a very real and pressing issue facing the world today. Scientists now have access to newer technology that allows them to collect many different types of information on the planet and its climate at large. The signals of a changing climate are undeniable. We are facing global temperature rise, warming oceans, shrinking ice sheets, sea-level rise, and ocean acidification among other major issues. In an effort to do our part (no matter how small), we sat down with Senior Hair Manager at Unilever, Leon Van-Gorkom, to discuss how we can alter our hair care routines to help the planet.

Climate Change and Haircare

climate change blonde highlights waves
We each have to do our part to take care of the world around us.

What effects do aerosol products have on the environment and the ozone layer?

Leon Van-Gorkom: Our (Unilever) hairsprays use non-ozone depleting aerosol propellants. Additionally, our formulas have been balanced to provide great performance while having a minimal impact on climate change. Consumers should always make sure to after emptying their hairsprays to recycle their metal can via curbside recycling.

How has our technology developed to include more environment-friendly products with climate change in mind?

For TRESemmé, the #1 styling brand in the USA, we have developed the Compressed Micro Mist hairspray line. This new generation of hairspray, in a can half the size, provides a flexible hold that Millennial and Gen Z consumers prefer. It’s NOT your mother’s hairspray! However, the biggest impact of this new technology is that the low flow rate delivering this fine micro-mist is half the spray rate of the average hairspray. Therefore “per-use” consumers are only using half of the propellant as they would have with an average hairspray.

Altogether, this lowers the impact on the environment with fewer chemicals used as well as a lower impact during distribution. For Love Beauty and Planet, we have launched a hairspray powered by air using an innovative new pack.

What’s an easy way for someone to make her hair routine more environment-friendly?

If you incorporate dry shampoo into your weekly routine, you can skip a day or two of washing your hair. This can save on water consumption, electricity (don’t need to blow dry your hair!) as well as time. Additionally, we have our ‘Between Washes’ ranges to extend or rework your style. Again, this allows you to have non-wash days but still have great style. Or, if you need to wash your hair, you can turn off the tap while shampooing and then while conditioning hair!

With climate change issues in mind, are there any developments in the pipeline that will encourage more environment-friendly hair care routines in the future?

As always, we are looking for even better to lower the impact of hair products.

Editor’s note: If you’re hoping to add more environment products into your routine to be more conscious of climate change, try some of these planet-approved favorites! Love Beauty and Planet Light Hold & Frizz Control Coconut Milk & White Jasmine Hair Spray is powered by air and not greenhouse gases!

You can also extend your style with TRESemmé Between Washes Volumizing Dry Shampoo. Dry shampoo allows you to space out the time between hair washes and use less water overall!

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