It can, with regular use, mainly because of the alcohol content, which is drying and can leave hair feeling brittle or coarse over time, especially with daily direct application.

What the alcohol does to hair specifically

The same alcohol that helps a perfume evaporate and project on skin strips natural oils from hair strands when sprayed directly and repeatedly, and over months of daily use this can show up as dryness, frizz or a duller appearance, particularly for hair that’s already chemically treated, coloured or naturally dry. Hair also holds fragrance for a genuinely long time, which is exactly why people like using it there, but that same quality means repeated direct spraying adds up.

A gentler way to scent your hair

Spray a small amount onto a hairbrush and run it through your hair rather than spraying directly onto your scalp or lengths, or use a dedicated hair mist formulated to be gentler if one’s available for your fragrance. It gives you the same lasting scent effect without the daily alcohol exposure straight onto the hair itself. This sits alongside a few other bits of fragrance folklore worth questioning, which our perfume myths guide covers properly. Our guide to applying and wearing perfume and complete guide to perfume cover more habits worth adjusting.