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. 2023 Nov 30;20(23):7129.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20237129.

Beauty Beware: Associations between Perceptions of Harm and Safer Hair-Product-Purchasing Behaviors in a Cross-Sectional Study of Adults Affiliated with a University in the Northeast

Cathryn E Payne  1 , Amber Rockson  1 , Adiba Ashrafi  1 , Jasmine A McDonald  1   2 , Traci N Bethea  3 , Emily S Barrett  4   5 , Adana A M Llanos  1   2
Affiliations

Beauty Beware: Associations between Perceptions of Harm and Safer Hair-Product-Purchasing Behaviors in a Cross-Sectional Study of Adults Affiliated with a University in the Northeast

Cathryn E Payne et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

(1) Background: Widespread personal care product (PCP) use can expose individuals to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) associated with adverse health outcomes. This study investigated the association between harm perceptions and hair-product-purchasing behaviors in adults enrolled in a cross-sectional study. (2) Methods: Respondents rated their agreement with five PCP-related harm statements using a five-point Likert scale. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between harm perceptions with hair-product-purchasing behaviors and hair product use (i.e., number of products used). (3) Results: Among 567 respondents (non-Hispanic White, 54.9%; non-Hispanic Black, 9.5%; Hispanic/Latinx, 10.1%; Asian American/Pacific Islander, 20.1%; and multiracial/other, 5.5%), stronger harm perceptions around PCP use were associated with potentially "safer" hair-product-purchasing behaviors. Respondents who strongly agreed that consumers should be concerned about the health effects of PCPs had more than fourfold increased odds of always/usually using healthy product apps (OR 4.10, 95% CI: 2.04-8.26); reading ingredient labels (OR 4.53, 95% CI: 2.99-6.87); and looking for natural, non-toxic, or eco-friendly product labels (OR 4.53, 95% CI: 2.99-6.88) when buying hair products. (4) Conclusions: Promoting environmental health literacy and raising awareness of potential PCP use-related harms might encourage healthier hair product use behaviors.

Keywords: adults; endocrine-disrupting chemicals; hair products; perceptions of harm; personal care products.

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Conflict of interest statement

Adana A. M. Llanos reports serving as a member of the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners Science Advisory Panel and the Advisory Committee of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project. Adana A. M. Llanos also reports receiving consulting fees for serving as an expert witness in litigation matters related to hair product use and various health outcomes. Jasmine A. McDonald reports a relationship with Breast Cancer Prevention Partners that includes board membership and non-financial support. Jasmine A. McDonald also reports receiving consulting fees for serving as an expert witness in litigation matters related to personal care product use and health outcomes.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of participants based on exclusion criteria.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the associations between perceptions of harm and hair-product-purchasing behaviors. Associations between perceptions of harm (strongly agreed/strongly disagreed with a perception vs. all other responses) and hair-care-purchasing behaviors were examined using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. Associations were reported as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Each plot illustrates the log odds of always/usually exhibiting “safer” behaviors around PCP purchasing, adjusted for age (continuous), gender, income, marital status, and race and ethnicity, when compared with those who did not always/usually practice “safer” purchasing behaviors.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the associations between perceptions of harm and hair product usage behaviors. Associations between perceptions of harm (strongly agreed/strongly disagreed with a perception vs. all other responses) and hair-care-use behaviors were examined using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. Associations were reported as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Each plot illustrates the log odds of always/usually exhibiting “safer” behaviors around PCP hair product use, adjusted for age (continuous), gender, income, marital status, and race and ethnicity, when compared with those who did not always/usually practice “safer” purchasing behaviors.
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