Current:Home > NewsAre you using dry shampoo the right way? We asked a trichologist.-LoTradeCoin
Are you using dry shampoo the right way? We asked a trichologist.
View Date:2025-01-11 13:37:57
If you’re looking for a way to extend your hairstyle the day before wash day, sometimes a quick spray of dry shampoo is all you need to ditch greasy hair.
Whether you’re running late to work or just got back from the gym, the application of dry shampoo can certainly make your hair appear cleaner and fresher, but are you applying dry shampoo the right way? USA TODAY asked a trichologist, who specializes in scalp treatments, to answer some questions and debunk misconceptions around how we should all be using dry shampoo. We’ll also take a look at two common types of dry shampoos, aerosols and powders, to break down which one is right for you.
What is the proper way to apply dry shampoo?
If you’re using an aerosol, firstly, shake the can well and hold it approximately six inches away from your scalp, explains Taylor Rose, a certified trichologist based in Los Angeles. Then, “spray into the roots of dry hair, parting your hair in sections to ensure you cover your entire scalp evenly.” After the product has set into your hair, use your fingertips to massage it gently into your scalp, she suggests.
Powder-based dry shampoos follow similar rules. While the exact application instructions of powder-based products will vary, generally speaking, “tap a small amount of powder either directly onto your roots or into your hands,” she says. “Rub the powder between your fingertips and massage into your scalp. Brush hair and you're done!”
When should I apply dry shampoo?
While you might think you should hold off on applying dry shampoo until your hair is extremely oily, don’t wait. Rose says you’ll see the best results if you use it before your scalp accumulates excess oil and dirt. Whether you're using sprays or powders, try not to use dry shampoo more than twice a week, and minimize how much product you're applying to your hair. Using dry shampoo too much or too often may lead to product buildup, which leaves you at a greater risk of cultivating the perfect environment for an unhealthy scalp, she says.
Another common misconception about dry shampoo is that it cleans your hair the same way a liquid shampoo does — this is untrue, and you should not rely on dry shampoo as a substitute for hair washing, according to WebMD. “Dry shampoo can make hair smell and appear cleaner, but it is not actually cleaning hair follicles [and the] scalp the same way that shampoo does,” Rose says.
What should you avoid in dry shampoo?
Whether you gravitate toward aerosol sprays or powder-based dry shampoo simply comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a product that is convenient and quick drying, aerosol dry shampoos are “easy to spray and provide a very even distribution,” says Rose. Aerosols are also lightweight, “which makes them suitable for all hair types, including fine hair.” However, for those with a sensitive scalp, artificial fragrances and alcohol-based ingredients can be harsh and irritate to hair follicles.
Powder-based dry shampoo is extremely effective at adding texture and volume to hair, and it absorbs oil better than aerosol products, Rose says. Often, powders also contain ingredients that are more gentle on your hair and scalp, she adds. However, if you haven’t used a powder dry shampoo before, it can be a little tricky to apply, as it may not distribute as evenly to the hair as a spray would. Powder products are also “more likely to leave a slight white residue on hair if not brushed out enough,” she says.
Why you shouldn't use dry shampoo?
The overuse of dry shampoo may lead to dryness, breakage, clogged hair follicles and dandruff. While there are no studies directly linking the use of dry shampoo to hair loss, poor scalp health may indirectly contribute to losing your hair, according to Healthline. If you’ve found yourself experiencing some of these side effects, in order to restore scalp health, Rose suggests to “double shampoo your hair after using dry shampoo to ensure you remove all product from your scalp.” To prevent these side effects from manifesting in the first place, Rose says to “make sure you are using a clarifying shampoo once a week to ensure all product is being removed adequately from the scalp.”
More:Everything you need to know about dry shampoo
veryGood! (56454)
Related
- Jennifer Garner and Boyfriend John Miller Are All Smiles In Rare Public Outing
- New Report Expects Global Emissions of Carbon Dioxide to Rebound to Pre-Pandemic High This Year
- 11 horses die in barbaric roundup in Nevada caught on video, showing animals with broken necks
- First Republic Bank shares sink to another record low, but stock markets are calmer
- Timothée Chalamet Details How He Transformed Into Bob Dylan for Movie
- Los Angeles investigating after trees used for shade by SAG-AFTRA strikers were trimmed by NBCUniversal
- The number of Black video game developers is small, but strong
- Here's how Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse would need to be redesigned to survive as California gets even warmer
- The Fate of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager's Today Fourth Hour Revealed
- Biggest “Direct Air Capture” Plant Starts Pulling in Carbon, But Involves a Fraction of the Gas in the Atmosphere
Ranking
- Wreck of Navy destroyer USS Edsall known as 'the dancing mouse' found 80 years after sinking
- Concerns Linger Over a Secretive Texas Company That Owns the Largest Share of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
- After Ida, Louisiana Struggles to Tally the Environmental Cost. Activists Say Officials Must Do Better
- Warming Trends: Why Walking Your Dog Can Be Bad for the Environment, Plus the Sexism of Climate Change and Taking Plants to the Office
- 'Full House' star Dave Coulier diagnosed with stage 3 cancer
- Teetering banks put Biden between a bailout and a hard place ahead of the 2024 race
- Concerns Linger Over a Secretive Texas Company That Owns the Largest Share of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
- Jobs and Technology Take Center Stage at Friday’s Summit, With Biden Pitching Climate Action as a Boon for the Economy
Recommendation
-
'The Penguin' spoilers! Colin Farrell spills on that 'dark' finale episode
-
Two Lakes, Two Streams and a Marsh Filed a Lawsuit in Florida to Stop a Developer From Filling in Wetlands. A Judge Just Threw it Out of Court
-
The Solid-State Race: Legacy Automakers Reach for Battery Breakthrough
-
Angela Bassett Is Finally Getting Her Oscar: All the Award-Worthy Details
-
Beyoncé nominated for album of the year at Grammys — again. Will she finally win?
-
Sarah Jessica Parker Reveals Why Carrie Bradshaw Doesn't Get Manicures
-
Biden Is Losing His Base on Climate Change, a New Pew Poll Finds. Six in 10 Democrats Don’t Feel He’s Doing Enough
-
Get a Next-Level Clean and Save 58% On This Water Flosser With 4,200+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews