What if your little one accidentally gets a piece of gum stuck in their hair while playing? Or if you accidentally get a drop of superglue on your hair while you're gluing something at home? It's scary, isn't it? The first thing that comes to mind is, "Oh my, I'm going to have to cut this hair off." But wait a minute. Before you pick up the scissors, there are a few simple ways to get rid of this problem without damaging your hair. Today, we'll talk about them.
Why are chewing gum and super glue so sticky?
You might be wondering why these things are so hard to get out of your hair. The reason is the chemicals they are made of.
The sticky nature of chewing gum
Simply put, chewing gum is made of long chains of molecules called polymers. It's like a rubber band. When we pull on a piece of chewing gum, it stretches without breaking because of these polymer chains. When we take a piece of chewing gum out of our mouth, the temperature drops, and these polymer chains 'harden'. That's why it's hard to remove when it gets stuck in our hair.
The important thing is that most chewing gums are formulated to be hydrophobic , but attract things like oil and grease. Since our hair is naturally oily, chewing gum sticks to it easily.
The secret to super glue's stickiness
Super glue is made from a special type of plastic called cyanoacrylate. Inside the glue tube, these molecules float as a liquid. But when these molecules come into contact with water, whether it's moisture in the air or moisture on our skin/hair, they bond together to form strong polymer chains. That's when the glue dries and hardens, giving us the strong adhesive properties of super glue. Our hair also has some moisture, so when super glue gets on it, it sticks to it.
How to remove chewing gum from hair
Don't worry, you can use the same things we have in our kitchen for this. With a little patience, you can do this job.
Find a vegetable oil like coconut oil, olive oil , or some peanut butter. Then follow these steps.
| Steps | What to do |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Oiling | Apply your chosen oil or peanut butter thoroughly, making sure to completely cover the gum. You can use an old toothbrush or your fingers for this. |
| Step 2: Soak | Wait a few minutes for the mixture to absorb into the hair and chewing gum. |
| Step 3: Removal | Now, gently pull the chewing gum down through your hair, either with your fingers or a comb. It will come off easier than you think. |
| Step 4: Rinse | After the gum is removed, shampoo your hair thoroughly to remove any oil/peanut butter. |
The reason this method works is that oils, like chewing gum, are hydrophobic . When oil is applied, the gum loses its sticky nature and becomes loose. Coconut oil, which is always available in our homes, is perfect for this task.
Another method: If the gum is only a small amount, wrap a few ice cubes in a cloth and place them on the gum for about 5 to 15 minutes. Once the gum hardens, it is easier to break into pieces and remove.
How do you remove super glue from your hair?
To remove super glue, we need to use a slightly different method. The best thing for this is a chemical called acetone. Nail polish remover also contains acetone.
Very important warning!
Acetone is a strong chemical. Never let it come into contact with sensitive areas such as the eyes, eyebrows, eyelids, or any broken skin . If this happens, seek medical advice immediately.
Okay, if you're using acetone, follow these steps.
| Steps | What to do |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Preparation | Soak a cotton ball in some acetone or nail polish remover. |
| Step 2: Putting on the Glue | Hold a cotton ball soaked in acetone on the superglue-covered hair for a few minutes. The acetone breaks the strong bonds in the glue. |
| Step 3: Removal | Once the glue has softened, gently comb it out with your fingers or a thick comb to break up the glue and remove it. |
| Step 4: Rinse | When you're done, shampoo your hair thoroughly to remove any acetone. |
Don't worry if you don't have acetone. You can also use vegetable oil (like coconut oil ) to remove super glue. However, this method requires you to leave the oil on your hair for about an hour . The oil will help loosen the glue and remove it.
Don't forget to rinse your hair thoroughly after removing it.
Just as things like peanut butter and coconut oil can make your hair oily, acetone is also not good for your hair. Therefore, it is essential to deep clean your hair after removing chewing gum or super glue.
At times like these, it is best to use a clarifying shampoo rather than a regular shampoo. These shampoos contain more soap-like chemicals called surfactants. They completely remove oil, grease, and chemicals from the hair and cleanse it.
When should you see a doctor?
Usually, this problem can be solved with these home remedies, but in some cases, seeking medical advice is essential.
- If super glue is applied to sensitive areas such as the eyes, eyelids, and eyebrows .
- If superglue is applied to a large area of the scalp, the skin becomes red, inflamed, itchy, or has an allergic reaction .
- If you try to remove it at home and can't.
In such a situation, do not panic and immediately see your doctor . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not pull or injure yourself for any reason.
Take-Home Message
- Don't panic and cut your hair with scissors as soon as you get chewing gum or super glue on it.
- To remove chewing gum, use something oily like coconut oil, olive oil, or peanut butter.
- You can use acetone (nail polish remover) to remove super glue, but be careful not to get it in sensitive areas like your eyes or skin.
- After using any method, wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo.
- If it gets around your eyes, causes a skin allergy, or cannot be removed at home, see a doctor immediately.
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