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Does Dry Shampoo Cause Hair Loss?

Let’s dive right in and talk about the never-ending routine called hair care. Finding a hair care routine that works for you and your specific hair type is essential, and we know it’s not always easy. 

Hair care is such a broad spectrum sometimes that it can be hard to keep up with what is good for your hair and what can cause damage. It’s nice to have a head of hair that looks great and feels great. And, while many of us rely on dry shampoo to refresh our two-day-old locks, it might not be helping our hair in the long run. 

Read on for more information on dry shampoo and how to use it properly. 

What Is Dry Shampoo?

Washing your hair is necessary to help remove oil and product buildup, but sometimes we just don’t have the time for the full hair-care routine. After all, cleaning your hair can be such a long process. You need to wash your hair, dry your hair, and style your hair. 

Washing your hair too often can be harmful to your hair as it can cause damage, but not washing your hair enough can lead to greasy and dirty locks. So, how do you combat oily-looking hair without washing it every day? 

This is where many women turn to products like dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is an excellent solution to this problem because, when used correctly, it can help soak up oil and add volume to your hair. 

What Are the Benefits of Dry Shampoo?

Dry shampoo is a game-changer for many on-the-go women. It can make your hair look just washed and styled, even when you’ve skipped a wash day or two. 

Dry shampoo is also easy to apply, which makes it even more helpful. You can wake up in the morning, brush your hair, spray the dry shampoo on your roots, and style as usual!

Whether you’re on your way to a dinner party or a day in the office, dry shampoo can often help get you out the door looking fresh and ready to go with minimal effort.

Does Dry Shampoo Replace Regular Washing?

If dry shampoo is a part of your daily routine, you might wonder, “can dry shampoo replace my normal wash?” The short answer is no, not really. Dry shampoo can work wonders for a last-minute hairstyle, but it can’t exactly replace your full hair care routine.

Washing your hair is important, as routinely washing your scalp can help remove dead skin cell buildup, oil buildup, and more. This process can also help promote blood circulation, which can help support strong and beautiful hair.

Another reason you shouldn’t skip your wash is that many shampoos and conditioners are full of nourishing ingredients that help reinforce your hair. While dry shampoo takes care of visible oil, it isn’t designed to nourish your hair.

Regular shampoo products are also designed with your hair in mind. For instance, our Full Transparency Pure Revitalizing shampoo helps to soothe sensitive scalps and rejuvenate aging hair. With ingredients like chia seed, yuzu, and xylitol, mindfully made shampoos like ours bring nourishment that dry shampoo can’t.

Your hair care routine is also where you’ll apply strengthening serums, hydrating hair masks, and curl products if you have curly hair. Dry shampoo is convenient, but if you overdo it, you’ll miss out on the amazing benefits these products have to offer.

Does Dry Shampoo Cause Hair Loss?

Although dry shampoo is a life-saver for many, it’s important to use this product in moderation. Overusing the powers of dry shampoo can lead to much bigger problems down the line if you aren’t careful.

For instance, overapplying dry shampoo can lead to product buildup on your scalp. This can lead to irritation, itchiness, and unbalanced oil production. In fact, you may experience hair loss as a result of the itching caused by product buildup.

This buildup can also clog your pores if you don’t wash it off frequently enough. When you read “clogged pores,” you may think back to the hormonal acne you experienced as a teenager. However, pores along the scalp are a bit different.

You have many types of pores all over your skin, but only one type is prone to clogging. Hair follicles are rooted inside these pores, which means that a clogged scalp pore can affect your skin and hair.

Clogged scalp pores may result in irritation and infection, affecting your hair growth. Clogs can prevent hair follicles from pushing out new hair, and they may atrophy. This can result in visible hair thinning if left unattended.

Product buildup can also provide a breeding ground for bacteria. If you’re a fan of dry shampoo and frequently experience irritation, itching, and hair loss, this could be another reason for your discomfort.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that dry shampoo is bad — it just means that it’s a good idea to use caution and follow the right steps when using it. The key is to use it sparingly and only when needed. 

How Can You Use Dry Shampoo the Right Way?

Don’t throw out your dry shampoo just yet — despite the consequences of its buildup, there are a few things you can do to ensure your dry shampoo doesn’t build up.

Choose the Right Product

First, it’s important to ensure you’re using a product that will actually help your hair. Make sure to opt for formulas labeled as “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic,” as those indicate the formula are less likely to clog your pores.

Second, make sure you check the ingredients list. Steer clear of any products that are made with alcohol since this can dry your hair out. Also, ensure your dry shampoo is free of benzene, which is known to cause health problems.

Remove Buildup

As will all things in life, the choice is yours. If you’re a busy woman who relies on dry shampoo to keep a cool, calm, and collected appearance between meetings and gatherings, there’s no need to toss out ‘Ol Reliable.

Instead, ensure you regularly remove product buildup to keep your scalp clean. You can do this with a scalp brush, an exfoliating shampoo, or a clarifying shampoo. Check out our innovative scalp cleanser to cleanse and support scalp health.

Just make sure not to overdo it on these products, either. Exfoliation and clarification are both essential for hair health — but if you use them too much, they have their own downsides.

Less Is More

Whether you’re running late and need a quick fix or simply don’t feel like putting in the time for your hair care routine, we get it. Dry shampoo is made for situations like these.

However, it’s important to apply your dry shampoo correctly. Make sure to hold the can at the distance directed on the packaging, and apply only a few quick sprays where the oil is thickest.

If it doesn’t work immediately, that’s okay. Give the product time to soak up the oil and brush it through. If you add more without waiting, the product could make your hair look even greasier than before.

So flip your head upside down, and shake it! This can help the product soak it all up and distribute more evenly. Plus, that’s where you’ll see the extra volume!

Can You Reverse Damage from Product Buildup?

If you end up using a dry shampoo that causes damage to your hair and you notice that your hair has started to thin, don’t panic — it’s not permanent. Simply change up your hair care routine and stay consistent.

Use a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup, and consider adding a hydrating and strengthening serum to your lineup. Make sure to set your dry shampoo back on the shelf while you get your hair back to normal. 

It’s also important to consider your diet. Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in the nutrients your hair needs. These can include salmon, spinach, eggs, and seeds.

You can also incorporate supplements into your daily diet to help fill in your hair's nutritional gaps. For instance, our Power Within: Skin and Scalp Collagen Gummies features two different kinds of collagen to help support hair growth from within.

Try and avoid styling your hair too often while waiting for it to grow back. Putting your hair into tight hairstyles can pull your hair out, which can exacerbate the issue.

This also includes avoiding using heat styling tools on your already vulnerable hair. Make sure to use a nourishing and strengthening heat protectant like our No Remorse Heat Protection and Taming Spray to protect your hair when using hair styling tools. 

If you’re experiencing severe hair loss or nothing is helping, schedule appointments with your doctor and dermatologist. While hair loss can result from dry shampoo, it can also indicate other medical or skin issues that need to be diagnosed and treated by a qualified physician.

The Bottom Line

We’ve all used dry shampoo in a pinch. While a full wash in the shower is the best way to clean your hair and scalp, it’s nice to have the convenience of dry shampoo on standby.

However, using this product too much can lead to product buildup that can eventually contribute to hair loss. If this happens to you, don’t worry — just give it time and lay off the product, and your hair should bounce back. 

Better Not Younger is here to help with all of your hair needs. We know how hair changes with age, and our product lineup is made to help you embrace those changes. If you're unsure where to start, need help with your hair care, noticed changes in your hair and don't know which products you need, take our hair quiz today!

Whether trying to find a new product just because or trying to fix the damage from a previous product, visit our online shop and find products made for your hair’s unique needs.

Sources:

Shampoo and Conditioners: What a Dermatologist Should Know? | PMC

Does Dry Shampoo Actually Clean Your Hair? | Cleveland Clinic

How to Clear Scalp Buildup at Home | eMediHealth