4 Side Effects of Using Hair Gel and How to Avoid Them

Hair gel may be every man's go-to for styling and control, but regular use can come with side effects worth noting. Common issues include dehydration of the hair and scalp, product buildup that can lead to irritation and dandruff, and in some cases, hair discoloration, premature graying, or even thinning and hair loss.

To avoid these long-term effects, it’s essential to understand what’s really in your product and how it affects your hair. Keep reading to learn the risks and how to prevent damage before it starts.

Does hair gel have side effects? Using hair gel may be a convenient and inexpensive way to spruce up your style. However, using it too often can lead to hair and scalp issues. What kind of problems do hair gels cause? Let's check out some of the hair-raising consequences of using hair gel and what you can do about them.

One benefit of hair gel is that it's incredibly fast drying: Rub a dollop on your parted hair, and you can expect it to become as immovable as EDSA traffic at rush hour within a couple of minutes. Alcohol, however, is the reason behind this quick-drying nature.

Alcohols – specifically short-chain ones like isopropyl, ethanol, and denatured – are usually added to products to make them work fast. While it is good for the hairstyle you’re trying to achieve, it can also spell trouble for your hair and scalp. Short-chain alcohols decrease moisture in the scalp, which leads to dryness and brittleness over time.

Hair gel acts by driving away moisture from the scalp. As mentioned earlier, excess usage can make the scalp dry and undernourished, making it susceptible to dandruff flareups and its associated irritation, itchiness, and flakiness. Aside from this, a dry scalp can also be more prone to inflammation and other skin issues.

Some gels also produce flakes that look like dried skin, which can be a potential source of embarrassment in social settings.

Aside from dandruff and a dry scalp, hair gels have another, far more serious side effect: hair loss.

Alcohol-based hair gels that dry out the scalp can cause problems for the hair, such as breakage. Moreover, other compounds in gels can also react with cell buildup and sebum on the scalp, clogging the hair follicles and causing hair to fall off.

What this means is that excessive usage of alcohol-based hair gels – and other alcohol-based hair styling and grooming products, for that matter – can cause serious problems such as receding hairlines and even baldness in users.

Chemicals in gels can disturb the scalp’s pH balance and strip hair of its natural oils, leading to fading hair color and early graying.

Try to look for alcohol-free hair gels. This way, you reap its rewards without sacrificing the condition of your hair and scalp. If you want to err on the safer side, you can also try other products such as hair wax or pomade. These can help shape your hair, sans the consequences. 

Is it okay to use hair gel every day? The short answer is, no, it's probably not a good idea. Even if you've found better formulated hair gel products, it's still best to give your hair and scalp the occasional rest to avoid buildup.

The easiest way to avoid the side effects of alcohol-based hair gel is to stop using them. However, if you're committed to this product, it is best to adopt several practices such as the following:

• Avoid applying gel directly on the scalp: Apply only on hair strands to reduce irritation and clogged pores.
• Use alcohol-free or natural hair gels: These are less drying and damaging to hair and scalp.
• Take breaks from gel use: Allow your scalp to rest and recover to maintain healthy hair.
• Consider natural alternatives: Flaxseed gel and other natural styling agents nourish hair without the harmful chemicals.
• Choose gels without harmful preservatives: Avoid products with parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde, which contribute to damage.
• Wash hair regularly: Thorough cleansing prevents product buildup that causes dandruff and follicle clogging.

If you’re feeling some flakiness due to hair gel use, try CLEAR Cool Sport Menthol Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men. This shampoo has cooling and refreshing properties. It also leaves your hair and scalp clean while maintaining healthy moisture levels.

If you want to strengthen your hair, you can also use a fortifying shampoo like Dove Men+Care Strengthening Shampoo. It is formulated with caffeine and calcium to help strengthen the hair root and prevent falling and breakage. It also makes hair visibly thicker and stronger as it grows.

It can be hard to swear off hair gel, especially if it's something you’ve been using for a long time. The good news, however, is that you can mitigate its consequences. Adding a few steps to your hair care routine can help tide you over until you find a new or alternative styling products for your hair.

Not sure what suits you? Read our article to find out if you should use hair wax, gel, or pomade.