Why Dry Shampoo?

Dry shampoo is one of those beauty products that make you wonder “how lazy can we possibly get in this country?” To this, we say: “Don’t dismiss it just yet!” as we are about to give you the lowdown on how dry shampoo can benefit your haircare routine.

What is Dry Shampoo?

The sorcery behind dry shampoo is reasonably simple. The roots of normal healthy-looking hair produce sebum, which is a natural oil that moistens and softens hair while also protecting it from harmful environmental chemicals. Too much oil in hair can make your hair feel greasy, dull and foul smelling. Dry shampoo comes to your rescue in this regard and absorbs excess oil from your hair.

How Does Dry Shampoo Work?

Dry shampoo contains Oryza sativa (rice) starch or cetrimonium chloride, which absorb sebum (oil) from your hair and scalp, a carrier agent such as alcohol that eventually evaporates and a propellent such as butane, iso-propane or propane to carry the product. When dry shampoo is applied to hair, the carrier agent eventually evaporates leaving behind rice starch or centrimonium chloride that absorbs oil.

“Dry shampoo can be used as an alternative for such situations because it can help to retain moisture (especially for curls) when used lightly. “

How Can Dry Shampoo Help Your Hair Look Clean and Fresh?

To be clear here, dry shampoo is not a substitute for washing your hair. Dirt and grime need to be washed away from your scalp on a regular basis. In fact, using too much dry shampoo can cause buildup of ingredients in your roots, which can cause breakouts, fungal growth, and eventually hair loss.
Dry shampoo works best when used intermittently to freshen your hair. It enhances hair volume and adds texture when doing difficult hairstyles and braids. Often, regular shampoos strip away moisture from hair causing them to become dry, brittle and damaged. Dry shampoo can be used as an alternative for such situations because it can help to retain moisture (especially for curls) when used lightly. Paradoxically, overuse of dry shampoos can also cause hair to dry out because they contain alcohol, and as such, a hydrating conditioner should be used in conjunction with a dry shampoo.
Pro-tips for Using Dry Shampoo

Understand that most dry shampoos contain petroleum products such as butane, isobutane and propane, which are flammable and can cause nausea if used in excess or in confined spaces, such as inside a car.
Look for products free of parabens, sulfates, talc, phthalate, and synthetic fragrances and preservatives. Many safer alternatives exist that contain aloe vera, Fuller’s Earth (clay), Kaolin clay, and rosemary oil.
Choose a dry shampoo that is engineered for your hair color. Often, talc in dry shampoo can give the appearance of dandruff to dark hair so choosing a color appropriate dry shampoo might be necessary for those with darker hair colors.

Apply dry shampoo towards the root of your hair from 6-8 inches away for even distribution. Allow the product to sit and absorb the excess oil before massaging your scalp and use cold air from your blow dryer to give more volume to your hair. Avoid overuse of dry shampoos. Wash your hair with a wet shampoo regularly to keep it looking healthy and gorgeous.

Still think dry shampoo is just for those of us who are lazy?