{"id":25170,"date":"2022-08-19T12:11:33","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T16:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prose.com\/?p=25170"},"modified":"2022-08-19T12:11:35","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T16:11:35","slug":"is-gel-bad-for-your-hair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prose.com\/blog\/is-gel-bad-for-your-hair","title":{"rendered":"Is Hair Gel Bad for Your Hair?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n

A Short History of Hair Gel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hair gel<\/a> is a gelatinous product used to achieve specific hairstyles by holding strands of hair in place. It\u2019s been on the market for almost a century and it\u2019s still going strong, giving users the ability to hold their hair in place for hours on end \u2014 potentially until the next washing.\u00a0<\/p>

Over the years, companies have produced new formulas for hair gel. These days, there are a wide variety of products to choose from depending on your styling desires and your hair type.\u00a0<\/p>

For example, when most people think of gel, they think of the wet and shiny look. But today, you have options that give your hair a dry, matte appearance, holding your style in place with a natural look. There are also various hold strengths ranging from a slight hold to a maximum hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Everyone Use Hair Gel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pretty much anyone can benefit from hair gel to help achieve their desired style, whether their hair is thick, fine, straight or curly.\u00a0<\/p>

And while almost everyone can use hair gel, not all products are created equal. Many brands have alcohol in their formula, for example. But if you have healthy hair, don’t be afraid to use hair gel.<\/a> Just check the ingredients and choose one that\u2019s best for your hair type and the style you\u2019re after.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens if You Use Gel the Wrong Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite the drying effects of alcohol, there are still a lot of brands that use it in their hair gel formulas. Regardless of hair type, alcohol can dry out your hair, but it\u2019s especially bad if your hair\u00a0is wavy or curly<\/a>. This happens because the alcohol seeps into the roots of your hair, eliminating essential nutrients and leaving your hair brittle and dry.<\/p>

As with any beauty product, using too much of it is also harmful. If you\u2019re applying a lot of hair gel every day \u2014 especially if the product has a lot of alcohol \u2014 it may cause stiffness and dryness. Start with a little gel at first and then slowly add more until you achieve your desired style and hold.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Choose the Right Hair Gel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you might have guessed, the first step to choosing a good hair gel is to avoid any products that contain alcohol.\u00a0<\/p>

Next, pay attention to the degree of hold you need. If you want a rigid style that stays for hours, you\u2019ll want a product with a high degree of hold. If you want your hair to have a little more flexibility, go with a gel with a lighter hold.\u00a0<\/p>

Finally, choose the gel that matches the look you\u2019re going for. Options range from ultra-shiny to completely natural and everything in between. Between appearance and hold, there are plenty of products to choose from, so you might find you\u2019ll need to test a few to find the right look.<\/p>

Prose’s new custom Styling Gel<\/a> takes the guesswork out of finding the right gel. Simply take the consultation and you’ll get matched with a custom gel formula that’s specific to your hair needs, environment, lifestyle, and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking Care of Your Hair and Using Gels Safely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with any haircare routine, you\u2019ll want to invest in the overall health of your care. You can do so by following just a few important steps:\u00a0<\/p>