Getting a hair wash is a lengthy procedure. Shampooing, conditioning, drying and styling the hair can be truly time consuming! It is also common knowledge that washing your hair more than thrice a week does more harm than good. So, what do you do when you come back from the gym and find your hair is all greasy or you are late for work but must wash your hair or you have an event to attend and it is not your day to shampoo? You can use a dry shampoo to make your hair look clean. But, does dry shampoo really clean the hair? Is it a safe replacement for a hair wash? We bring you some facts to help you decide. Read on…
What is Dry Shampoo?
Dry shampoo is a hair product that helps reduce grease, grime and oil in the hair. It gets its name due to its technique of use. You can apply it to dry hair without needing to wet your hair or wash off the shampoo afterwards. Dry shampoo is an easy replacement when you want to touch up your hair on the go or when you are in a hurry, without having to be weighed down with follow up care that is usually required after a shower.
Some dry shampoo products are packaged in the form of sprays while some come in the form of a powder that needs to be applied and then combed through the hair. The best dry shampoo is considered to be the spray kind as it is easy and less messy in its application.
How Does a Dry Shampoo Work?
A dry shampoo contains alcohol and starch as its main ingredients that help soak the oil and dirt from the hair. This makes the hair look clean and fresh. Dry shampoo for dry hair usually also contains fragrance-inducing agents to make your hair smell fresh. Keeping in mind the length of hair, its texture and needs, dry shampoo for men and dry shampoo for women are sold separately.
It is, however, important to understand that dry shampoo will just absorb elements that make the hair look unclean, but will not actually clean the hair. In order to thoroughly clean your hair, you will still need to get your hands wet with a shampoo in the shower every once in a while.
Is Dry Shampoo Really Effective?
If you are under the impression that a dry shampoo will replace your wet shampoo showers, then we are sorry to burst your bubble. A dry shampoo will merely make your hair appear less oily. But, does it cleanse your hair? It’s a big no! The hair definitely looks fresher than before but it will lead to a grainy and filmy residue building up on your scalp.
If you make dry shampoo a habit, then you may face some problems in the long run.
1. Leads to Breakage
Long exposure to alcohol, which is the main ingredient of a dry shampoo, results in the drying out of your hair over time. This makes the hair brittle and thus fragile as dry hair tends to tangle, fracture and break more easily.
2. Results in Scalp Irritation
Prolonged use of a dry shampoo results in the accumulation of debris on the scalp. Absorbing the oil and grease, dry shampoo merely camouflages the dirt in the hair. The accumulated debris of dirt results in the development of bacteria causing pimples/breakouts, infections, clogged pores, etc. It may also lead to more serious problems such as a scalp rash or scales.
3. Negatively Affects Hair Growth
An unhealthy scalp is not for healthy hair. Thus, prolonged use of dry shampoo may cause scalp issues like inflammation that will hinder hair growth.
Conclusion
If you are using dry shampoo in moderation, then you really have nothing to worry about. Dry shampoo benefits as a quick fix when you are in a rush and helps you not compromise on your appearance just because you didn’t have the time to wash your hair. Using dry shampoo for more than two consecutive days, however, can start showing its effects on the scalp in the form of irritation due to dryness. Using heat to style your hair after applying a dry shampoo is also considered to be harmful in the long run.
Thus, dry shampoo should not be considered an alternative to the old-school shampoo and shower regimen. Dry shampoo is great if used once in a while, but in essence, it is just a hair freshener and not a hair cleanser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How often can I use dry shampoo?
Depending on how oily your hair tends to get, you may use a dry shampoo as and when you feel the need to touch up the freshness of your hair. Once a week is the ideal recommended usage for a dry shampoo.
Q2. Does dry shampoo make my hair dry?
Prolonged use of dry shampoo does cause damage to your hair making them dry and brittle. This happens only if you skip washing your hair with shampoo and water and keep using dry shampoo for a long time leading to the accumulation of debris on the scalp.
Q3. Can I use dry shampoo on curly hair?
Yes, dry shampoo can be used on all hair types. However, when using it on curly hair, avoid combing the hair after application to retain the fresh and bouncy look. Combing after applying dry shampoo on curly hair tends to make it look dry and frizzy.
