- Dry shampoo has been around for centuries.
- Overuse of dry shampoo can lead to scalp conditions and hair loss.
- If you follow package directions and common sense you can safely use dry shampoo.
- All-natural DIY dry shampoos might be a good alternative.
Over the last decade, dry shampoo has gained somewhat of a cult following. Used in between traditional hair washings, it can extend the life of your blow out, freshen up your second-day hair, and save you hours of styling time each week.
But not everyone who tries this hair product ends up having a positive experience. Some users are reporting hair loss and damage that they believe is caused by dry shampoo. But, is this a product flaw or user error?
The first commercially produced dry shampoo was sold in the 1940s, but the product existed before that.
If you're not familiar with dry shampoo, you might be surprised to learn that it isn't shampoo at all. According to Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy, any hair product used topically to absorb oils, control odor, and doesn't require the use of water is known as a dry shampoo. Most of these products are powder-based, which may seem like a relatively new concept, but the use of powder in hair care has been around for hundreds of years.
The earliest reports date back to the 15th century, when people in Asia used powdered clay in their hair. In the 1700s, when hairpieces were in high fashion, early American forefathers used ground starches to color and deodorize their their wigs. By the early 1940s, the Stephanie Brooke Company of Jersey City, New Jersey had developed, Minipoo, the first brand of commercially produced dry shampoo powder. Minipoo was marketed to women and children for use in scenarios such as "surprise dates" or when they were sick in bed, according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
Many early commercial dry shampoos contained a type of clay known as fuller's earth — an ingredient commonly used in kitty litter, but one that health expert Dr. Andrew Weil considers safe enough to use as an alternative to baby powder. Today's commercial dry shampoos typically contain starch, flour, or talc, a substance that may be linked to ovarian cancer, according to The Chicago Tribune. The invention of dry shampoo in a convenient aerosol spray may have helped the product regain popularity in the 21st century.
Dry shampoo can cause buildup, dermatitis, and pimples.
The main problem with dry shampoo is that in actuality, your hair isn't any cleaner.
As dermatologist Dr. Zoe Diana Draelos explains in Dermatology Times, your hair looks oily after going unwashed for a day or two because of the sebaceous glands in your scalp produce a waxy oil known as sebum. Dry shampoo absorbs the sebum but, even when brushed out, some of the powder particles will remain on your hair strands and scalp.
When used for several days, those left over powder particles, air pollutants, and chemicals from other hair products will begin to create a buildup on the scalp. This can lead to a fungal overgrowth and seborrheic dermatitis, which the Mayo Clinic describes as a skin condition causing scaly patches, red skin, and stubborn dandruff.
Dry shampoo buildup also traps bacteria, which dermatologist Dr. James Ralston tells CBS11 may inflame the hair follicle causing pimples or cysts. These pimples or cysts eventually dry out and become scabs, which can disrupt the hair follicles which can lead to hair loss.
In early 2016, a UK woman named Nicole Baxter went to Facebook to share her own hair horror story. After suffering with scalp sores, blisters, and hair loss, Baxter's doctor diagnosed her with a condition called triangular alopecia attributed it to dry shampoo usage.
Even if it doesn't cause a skin breakout, dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum tells Glamour that too much dry shampoo can weigh down your hair follicles, weakening them, and interrupting their typical growth cycle. Additionally, many dry shampoo sprays contain alcohol, which dries out your hair shaft. Nussbaum warns that hair that is dry and full of buildup will tend to stick together. This can result in losing up to three times more hair through natural shedding and brushing than you normally would.
If you use dry shampoo correctly — on a dry scalp — you can avoid any problems.
The general consensus among dermatologists and hair dressers is that most people can use dry shampoo without a problem, as long as they follow the product's directions and use common sense.
INSIDER spoke with AVEDA Master Stylist Stacy Stanton, who believes that dry shampoo has become a game changer in the longevity of hairstyling.
"I think it is a great option when you need to get that one extra day out of your style," she told INSIDER, "Dry shampoo is awesome at making super soft, fine, or limp hair have some grit to it, kind of like second-day hair. It makes it easier to style."
But, Stanton feels that consumers must take the initiative to become properly educated on how, when, and how often to use it.
"Dry shampoo is to be used on a dry scalp with dry hair," she said. "No sweat. No dampness." She also noted that "the scalp can become irritated and hair can become brittle,"with overuse. As a result, she suggests people not use it more than two days in a row, and that people with eczema or psoriasis should consult with their doctor before use.
You can also try a DIY dry shampoo.
If you're intrigued by the benefits of dry shampoo, but don't want to add chemicals to your scalp, there are endless DIY dry shampoo tutorials online. These two dry shampoo recipes from Brit + Co. use all-natural ingredients such as corn starch, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and essential oils. There is one recipe for light hair and one for darker hair.
XOJane also has a dry shampoo recipe that includes arrowroot powder, an alternative to cornstarch. Dr. Oz even recommends simply sprinkling baking soda on your scalp as a safe and inexpensive alternative to dry shampoo.
Whether you use a commercially made dry shampoo or make your own at home, remember that your hair still needs to be regularly washed with traditional shampoo and water to remove buildup and bacteria. You might want that expensive blowout to last an extra couple of days, but definitely not at the expense of your scalp and strands.
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