Do Dry Shampoos Really Work?
One of the questions everyone asks me is, “Do dry shampoos really work”?
The answer is an emphatic, “Yes!”. Dry shampoos really do work and I couldn’t imagine my morning routine without one!
They work by soaking up the excess oils in your hair.
And by absorbing excess oils, they’re able to restore a clean and freshly washed appearance.
A good dry shampoo is amazing at restoring texture and volume to even the worst cases of bed head once you’ve mastered the right technique (read our How To Use Dry Shampoo guide).
Dry shampoos are usually a powder or an evaporating spray that you can tease into your hair.
The powder then attaches to the extra build up of oils in your hair and carries them away with thorough brushing throughout the hair and to the tips.
There are also dry shampoo products that are the consistency of mousse foam, which you apply to your hands and then rub into your hair.
Salon stylists suggest using a towel to blot the hair to evenly distribute the product and then blow it out with a hair dryer.
Most recommend rinsing your hair with water and a wet shampoo after 2-3 days of dry shampoo use.
A couple of days use at the most is the limit, according to celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims who states: “If you need to reach for dry shampoo after a third use, it’s time to take a shower,”
The Perks of Using Dry Shampoo
The ease of application and compact nature of dry shampoos make them great for weekend getaways, music festivals, after the gym or when you’ve hit the snooze button one too many times.
Dry shampoo works great as a quick-fix solution when you do not have time to hit the shower. Other benefits of using dry shampoo include:
• Helps to maintain hair color between touch-ups –
Using dry shampoo will not fade the color in your hair the way that wet shampooing does. It’s a great way to hang on to that rich glowing shade a little longer.
• Freshens the hair to remove odors –
Dry shampoo products are infused with delightful scents so your hair will smell fresh and clean plus it removes unsightly odors such as cigarette smoke and other fumes.
• Maintains your hairstyle and blowout –
After the beauty salon gives you a beautiful fashionable style, you can hold on it longer between wet washes by using dry shampoo.
• Adds texture and volume to fine hair –
The ingredients in dry shampoo coat the hair strands to give it more body and volume, which is a definite perk for those that have fine hair.
• Fluffs up flat limp hair to add bounce –
When your hair gets dirty it becomes weighed down with excess oil and impurities, which make your hair go limp. Dry shampoo works it wonders by absorbing the impurities resulting in hair that is fluffy with added bounce.
• Great way to keep hair clean when you’re in a pinch –
Life’s adventures do not always come with easy access to nearby shower facilities. Pack dry shampoo and bring it along to help keep your hair clean and fresh.
Which Dry Shampoo Product is Right for You?
There are several types of dry shampoo available that you can purchase from online retailers, drugstores, supermarkets, and beauty salons.
The most common type of dry shampoo uses a starch-like substance to absorb and soak up oil and comes in a spray-on can or bottle with applicator. Because of its powdery texture, the product can leave a noticeable chalky residue if the hair is not thoroughly brushed out.
With the development of new dry shampoo formulas, consumers now have more options to choose from when purchasing a product.
Innovative technology in beauty products led to the creation of dry shampoos that are now made with ingredients that go on clear without leaving a white residue.
There are also tinted dry shampoos available for both light hair and dark shades to help you maintain that glorious color and shine while gently removing impurities and excess oil.
The clear formulas used in some tinted dry shampoos are great for those with dark hair that want a product that does not leave a powdery residue.
Salon products use a combination of natural herbs and organic extracts that can benefit those with sensitive skin or dry scalps.
Fort a complete list of every dry shampoo we’ve reviewed, take a look at our dry shampoo reviews page :)
Dry Shampoos May Not Work for All Hair Types
Dry shampoo is not a miracle product that will work for everyone and all hair types.
Regardless of whether you use a clear, tinted, mousse, or powder-based formula, you still need to thoroughly brush your hair out after applying it.
If you have very tight curly hair that is difficult to brush, dry shampoo may not work well for you.
Using the product on very dry hair may not give you the results you are looking for as dry shampoo absorbs excess oil in order to revitalize the hair.
The product may add a fresh scent and some volume and bounce to dry hair, but will not work as well as it would on normal or oily hair types.
Dry Shampooing Is Not a Permanent Fix
It’s important to remember that dry shampooing is a great short-term solution and as Dr. Wilma Bergfeld, Dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic states, “Dry shampooing has its place, but no wet shampooing has no place. Your hair and scalp needs to be washed and rinsed intermittently to keep it clean.”
Dry shampoo only temporarily absorbs oil and impurities.
As you use the product over several days, the residue will build up on your scalp and hair.
If you continue to use a dry shampoo without intermittently wet washing your hair, the residue can make your hair feel sandy, grainy, and dried out.
Extended use of dry shampoo may also leave your hair brittle and damaged.
You need the moisture provided by water with wet shampooing to thoroughly rinse away dirt and impurities from your scalp and hair.
If your hair is overly dry look to use a simple hair serum or Argan oil to restore natural oils to the tips of your strands.
Finally, if you’re looking for a list of products to use, be sure to check out our updated ranking and reviews of the best dry shampoos currently available!
