Picture this: you’re running late for an important meeting or you just got back from the gym. Chances are either you don’t have enough time or are too tired to even think of washing your hair. 

So, what do you do when you want to have refreshed, great-looking hair that doesn’t look or feel greasy? You spray on some dry shampoo. Just spray it onto your roots and you’re good to go.

But what is this seemingly miraculous product and how does it work? Does dry shampoo actually clean your hair? What’s the best way to use it? 

What is Dry Shampoo?

Dry shampoos are typically used to quickly refresh the hair and add instant volume. Unlike regular shampoo, dry shampoo doesn’t truly cleanse your scalp. It also doesn’t remove product residue, yeast, and bacteria. However, while it’s cleansing capabilities may be limited, dry shampoo works great when you’re traveling, when you’re in situations that make showering difficult, or if you want a quick and easy way to freshen up your hair.

How Does It Work?

Your scalp has follicles that produce sebum to protect your scalp and soften your hair. Unfortunately, daily activities can cause sweat and oil to build up on your hair and scalp. When this happens, your hair can start to look and feel greasy.

Dry shampoo is designed to absorb the excess oil and dirt, giving you cleaner looking hair. Unlike wet shampoos, which you lather on wet hair, you can apply dry shampoo to, well, dry hair. Dry shampoos are often made with an alcohol or starch base and usually come in an aerosol form. Nowadays, you can find dry shampoos in various types, including powders, gels, serums, and mousses. 

Finding the Right Dry Shampoo for Your Hair Type

Much like other haircare products, dry shampoo has different variations. If you have fine hair, you can opt for a dry shampoo mist or lightweight spray that adds volume and texture or powder dry shampoos that can add some lift to your hair. Additionally, powder shampoos work well for thick or oily hair because they contain a powder that absorbs excess oil without weighing your hair down. Have curly hair? Go with a dry shampoo that has moisturizing capabilities. 

Those with dry hair may want to go with a dry shampoo that contains hydrating ingredients. For color-treated hair, always look for a dry shampoo that’s color-safe.

A note of caution though: when looking for dry shampoos or powder dry shampoos, always check the ingredients. For example, ingredients such as sea salt and denatured alcohol can potentially dry out and irritate the scalp. 

How to Use Dry Shampoo Correctly

Once you’ve chosen the best dry shampoo for your hair, you need to apply it properly to get the best results.

Prior to spraying the product in your hair, make sure that you shake the bottle if you’re using mists, sprays, or mousses. No need to shake the bottle if you’re using dry shampoo in powder form. 

Part your hair into small sections, taking note of the oiliest sections. Once done, you can start applying the product, focusing on the oiliest sections first. Make sure that you hold the bottle a foot away from your roots. This is because spraying dry shampoo directly to your scalp can lead to residue and product buildup. 

When spraying, concentrate only on the oily parts of your hair and scalp and don’t apply the product on your entire scalp. Now, dry shampoo can quickly freshen up your hair but for it to deliver better results, you need to give it some time to sit, ideally for a few minutes. After letting it sit, proceed to massage the product onto your scalp. If you notice any white residue, use a comb or hair dryer to remove the excess product. 

Here’s a little hack: you can also apply dry shampoo at night to give it more time to work its magic, especially if you have a very oily scalp. 

Using dry shampoo occasionally wouldn’t hurt but it’s not recommended to use it daily. This is because pollutants and chemicals from haircare products can build up on your scalp and dry shampoo is unable to give you a thorough cleanse. Furthermore, some dry shampoos contain ingredients like alcohol, which can dry out your hair. These factors can cause scalp irritation, dandruff, breakage, and may even affect hair growth. 

If you’re using dry shampoo, make sure to give your hair a thorough wash using regular shampoo to remove any buildup and keep your scalp clean. Ideally, you should only use dry shampoo once or twice a week. 

Keeping Your Hair Strong and Beautiful

You deserve the best when it comes to hair care. Dapper & Divine provides professional salon and color services for different hair types. From precision haircuts to personalized colored services, our ladies’ hair studio has got you covered. We also offer Lasio and Global keratin treatments to keep your hair strong, shiny, and easily manageable, whether you’re using dry shampoo frequently or not. 

Schedule an appointment and see the difference only great hairstyling can make.