Styling your hair is almost never complete without the finishing touches of a product, and from dry shampoo to hairspray, aerosol products are a staple in styling routines around the world. That made it all the more frightening when Procter & Gamble announced a major recall on 30+ aerosol styling products last week due to the potential presence of benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer.
Earlier this month, P&G announced that the recall will include a number of Herbal Essences, Aussie, Old Spice, Pantene, and Hair Food aerosol products. Unfortunately this was not P&G’s first recall, and back in November they released a notice on Secret Deodorant and Old Spice spray products that may also contain benzene.
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"Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it can result in cancers, including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening," the recall read, noting that the recalled products likely did not include enough benzene to be considered truly dangerous to customers. That being said, the recall will be made in "an abundance of caution."
Benzene is a cancer causing chemical that is often found in gasoline and cigarette smoke. When inhaled in large quantities, benzene can have potentially fatal consequences long term, so removing offending products, despite the small quantity found, is essential.
The affected products, which are listed within the P&G recall, have been called for removal from shelves immediately, with strong recommendations for those owning the products to throw them away without finishing the bottle. P&G will be offering refunds on the recalled items.
Dry shampoo is undeniably one of the most popular and commonly used hair care products on the market, so check out the list of all recalled products to make sure your favorite isn’t included.
Fortunately, P&G specifically noted that dry shampoo products not listed within the recall are safe for continued use, and the "scope of this recall and such other products may continue to be used as intended, including those aerosol dry shampoo spray products with production code ranges different from those specifically communicated."
