Dry shampoo has become a must-have in many women’s beauty arsenals, and for good reason—it’s a quick and easy way to refresh your hair between washings.
It can help extend the time between washings and save you from looking like a hot mess. However, the common question is, does dry shampoo damage hair and cause hair loss?
What is Dry Shampoo?
Using the word ‘shampoo’ to describe dry shampoo is a bit of a misnomer. The traditional shampoo is a soapy liquid substance applied to wet hair to wash out dirt and impurities. However, as dry shampoo doesn’t actually wash anything out of your hair, it doesn’t clean your hair like a typical shampoo.
The more accurate way to describe dry shampoo is a fresh-scented powder or aerosol spray that absorbs the excess scalp oil (sebum) that makes hair look greasy. And it doesn’t need any water to do the job.
Just as corn starch or baby powder absorbs excess moisture and keeps the skin dry after a shower, dry shampoo works in the hair to keep it looking healthy, bouncy, and voluminous for a couple of days between regular washings.
Can Dry Shampoo Cause Hair Loss?
Like the adage says, “Too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing.” The overuse of any substance on the hair or scalp can eventually cause problems.
So, it’s not that dry shampoo itself is causing damage to the hair; it’s usually product buildup that causes the hair follicles on the scalp to become clogged and irritated, which leads to hair loss.
How to Use Dry Shampoo
Whether you are using dry shampoo powder or aerosol spray, the application methods are similar. Here are 7 Tips for using dry shampoo:
- Follow the specific instructions on the dry shampoo product packaging.
- Part your hair into several sections to make sure you apply the dry shampoo evenly.
- Apply it to your roots, paying particular attention to the regions that tend to be oilier.
- Sprinkle or spray the dry shampoo and use a makeup brush to distribute it evenly. Avoid using your fingertips because they also produce oil and make your hair appear greasy. If you do use your fingers, make sure they’re clean!
- Remember, less is more. You don’t want it to look like a piece of chalk fell on top of your head! Let the dry shampoo sit for about 45 seconds before working it into your hair.
- For extra volume, comb the roots in the opposite direction when applying the dry shampoo. This technique helps maintain hold and averts the need for hairspray.
- Don’t use other styling products such as hair gel or mousse when using dry shampoo. Remember, you want to avoid product buildup to reduce the risk of hair loss.
Follow these tips and alternate your liquid shampoo each time you wash your hair to ensure that all product residue (including previous liquid shampoo) is thoroughly washed out. Doing so will help you avoid having any complications or hair loss from using dry shampoo.
FAQs
Dry shampoo isn’t for everyone. Generally speaking, people with dry or curly hair should probably avoid using it. These hair textures look better when excess scalp oils are allowed to maintain optimum moisture levels in the hair.
Instead, dry shampoo is better for use on very straight or slightly wavy hair that tends to look greasy or stringy within 24 hours of washing with a normal shampoo. However, if you need to wash your hair every day to look fresh and clean, then a dry shampoo product might be a great option.
Make sure your scalp is clean and healthy before using a dry shampoo. Dry shampoo hair products often include corn starch and mineral powders.
And remember, they’re not like traditional shampoos that remove dirt, dead skin cells, or excess oils.
If you use dry shampoo for more than two days in a row, it’s an indication that you’re not washing your hair vigorously or stimulating your scalp with your fingertips. As a result, your clogged hair follicles can become inflamed or infected, which sometimes leads to localized bald spots.
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