Salt water hair spray works primarily by plumping and expanding the individual hair fibres.
The Mechanism: Plumping Hair Fibres
At its core, salt spray functions by allowing the salt particles to interact with the hair shaft. As water evaporates, these salt crystals are left behind on and within the hair strands. This process causes the hair cuticle to slightly lift, and the salt itself can draw moisture out of the hair or the air, leading to the hair fibre swelling and expanding.
This plumping and expanding of the hair fibre is the key action that provides many of the desired styling effects associated with salt spray.
Key Benefits and How They Are Achieved
Based on its effect on the hair fibre and its properties, salt spray offers several benefits:
- Appearance of Thickness and Volume: By plumping and expanding each strand, the overall mass and volume of the hair are increased, giving the appearance of thicker, more voluminous hair.
- Texture and Body: The slightly roughened cuticle and the salt residue create friction and separation between strands, adding desirable texture and body that helps hair hold a style.
- Hold: The texture and slight rigidity imparted by the salt help hair maintain its shape throughout the day, providing a natural, flexible hold.
- Oil Absorption: Salt has absorbent properties. When applied to hair, it can help to soak up excess oils from the scalp and strands. This is particularly beneficial for limp or lacklustre hair, as removing excess oil can give it a boost and make it appear less flat.
Benefits at a Glance
Here's a simple breakdown of who benefits and how:
| Hair Characteristic | How Salt Spray Helps | Mechanism (from reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Any (for volume) | Gives the appearance of thicker, more voluminous hair. | Plumps and expands the hair fibre. |
| Fine Hair | Adds texture, body, and hold, especially as a pre-styler. | Plumps and expands the hair fibre. |
| Limp or Lacklustre | Is boosted and revitalized. | Thanks to oil-absorbing properties. |
Practical Application
For certain hair types, particularly fine hair types, salt spray can be effectively used as a pre-styler. Applying it before blow-drying or styling helps to build in texture and body from the root, providing a better foundation and hold to support voluminous hair styles.
In essence, salt spray creates a textured, slightly matte finish that mimics the effect of drying in salty ocean air, resulting in that popular "beach hair" look with added volume and definition.
