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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

Author

Listed:
  • Cathryn E. Payne

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Amber Rockson

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Adiba Ashrafi

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Jasmine A. McDonald

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
    Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Traci N. Bethea

    (Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA)

  • Emily S. Barrett

    (Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
    Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA)

  • Adana A. M. Llanos

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
    Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Cathryn E. Payne & Amber Rockson & Adiba Ashrafi & Jasmine A. McDonald & Traci N. Bethea & Emily S. Barrett & Adana A. M. Llanos, 2023. "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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:23:p:7129-:d:1292113
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrea L. Deierlein & Alexis R. Grayon & Xiaotong Zhu & Yanwen Sun & Xun Liu & Kaelyn Kohlasch & Cheryl R. Stein, 2022. "Personal Care and Household Cleaning Product Use among Pregnant Women and New Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, May.
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