Tresemmé · Hair Styling Products
TRESemm Extra Hold Hair Spray
Avoid until brand discloses aerosol propellant source; many hair sprays use fluorinated propellants.
Tresemmé doesn't publicly disclose PFAS-based propellants or Teflon-family coating coatings in this aerosol hair spray. Aerosol cosmetics commonly use hydrofluorocarbon or hydrofluoroolefin propellants potentially containing PFAS.
The better-graded swap
Lavender Fields Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Shine Spray
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Volatile organic compounds (propellant, alcohol, resins, fragrance)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What TRESemm Extra Hold Hair Spray is made of, ingredients and materials
TRESemmé Extra Hold uses a compressed gas propellant (likely hydrocarbon or fluorinated), alcohol as a solvent, synthetic resins for hold, and fragrance compounds. The propellant is the most volatile component and is released directly into air and lungs with each spray. Alcohol content evaporates quickly but can cause dryness with heavy use. Resins build up on hair over time and require periodic clarification to prevent stiffness.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) inhalation risk
Aerosol hair sprays inherently release propellant, alcohol, and fragrance volatiles into breathing air. Regular users in poorly ventilated spaces may experience dizziness, respiratory irritation, or headaches. This is the category's primary direct exposure route.
Fragrance allergen sensitization
TRESemmé products contain synthetic fragrance blends (not disclosed as individual components). Fragrance is a leading allergen in personal care and can trigger contact dermatitis, asthma, or migraines in sensitive individuals. Intensity is typical for extra-hold formulations.
Resin buildup and clarification burden
Polymer resins in hold sprays accumulate on hair shaft and scalp over time, causing stiffness, flaking, and product feel. This is well-documented for drugstore aerosol sprays and requires frequent clarifying shampoo use, which increases water and detergent consumption.
Alcohol-induced dryness and scalp irritation
High alcohol content (typical 40-60% in aerosol sprays) can strip moisture from hair and irritate scalp if spray contacts skin or is used excessively. Risk is higher with daily application or on already-dry or sensitive scalp.
Propellant source uncertainty (fluorinated vs. hydrocarbon)
Manufacturer does not disclose propellant type. If fluorinated (HFC, HFO, or other fluorocarbon), PFAS or PFAS-adjacent compounds may be present. Hydrocarbon propellants carry lower chemical hazard but higher flammability and ozone-depletion concerns.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Tresemmé (owned by Unilever) does not publicly disclose propellant chemistry or PFAS avoidance commitments for this product line. Unilever has made some sustainability pledges but has not transparently addressed fluorinated propellant phase-out in aerosol personal care. No established recalls or safety violations are on record for this specific product, but the silence on propellant source is a transparency gap in a category where lower-concern alternatives exist.
How it compares in its category
Hair sprays span a wide spectrum, some brands (e.g., Bumble and bumble, SheaMoisture) explicitly market propellant source or use pump sprays to avoid aerosol altogether. Others, including most mass-market brands like TRESemmé, do not disclose. This product is typical for drugstore hair spray in terms of hold strength and price, but below category leaders in transparency. Pump and non-aerosol alternatives eliminate propellant inhalation risk entirely.
If you buy it
Always use in well-ventilated spaces to minimize inhalation of propellant and alcohol vapors. Limit application to dry hair away from face to reduce direct lung exposure. Do not use near heat sources or open flames (propellant is flammable). Replace every 12-18 months or when you notice buildup or clumping, and use a clarifying shampoo weekly to prevent resin accumulation. Consider switching to a pump spray or solid styling product if you use daily.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tresemmé has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More hair styling products grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.