Does Dry Shampoo Dry Out Your Scalp?

Have you ever gotten an expensive hairdo and then had to wash it the next day because the scalp was too greasy? On the other hand, have you ever been in a position where washing the hair was not an option, but needed to look the best?

Many people have been in your shoes. The good news is they found a dry shampoo which will take care of the grease job and make any hair look freshly washed and maintained. A dry shampoo is just as effective as a wet wash when done properly and in moderation.

Not only will it save a hairstyle from the water, but it saves time and a few extra dollars as well.  If you don’t know much about dry shampooing, take a look at the basics here as we answer some common questions for you.

Is Dry Shampoo Bad for the Hair?

With all things, moderation is the key. Too much of anything is not good for anyone, including water and dry shampoos for dark hair.

With that said, let’s discuss what a dry shampoo does in reality. Normally, shampoos and conditioners are rinsed out of the hair. However, a dry shampoo remains on the scalp until it is washed out. What this means is the chemicals contained in the brand are still in the hair.

It’s a possibility these chemicals are being absorbed into the bloodstream. When you think about it, they come in direct contact with the skin, mainly your scalp. So, are dry shampoos bad for you or not? The answer is found in the chemicals used in the products, so let’s look at what most brands use.

Ingredients in Dry Shampoos:

• Butane. I know panic is likely the first response, but hold on to your scalp.  Butane, when used in a trusted shampoo brand like Batiste, is pretty safe. It only stays on the skin for a few seconds, and then the butane vaporizes, so it’s gone.
• Fragrance or Perfume. Manufacturers put fragrances in shampoos to make them smell better. In other words, it covers up the smell of the other chemicals or ingredients in the shampoo.
• Rice Starch or Oryza Sativa. Most growers use pesticides to keep away insects and bugs. However, in doing so, everything just rolled downhill. What they found were the ingredients in the shampoo were contaminated with the same pesticides they used to kill the bugs with.

Now, knowing this, a limit was imposed on the makers, and it is to ensure human safety when the product is used. But do you feel safe? Something to think about, huh?

Will I Experience an Allergic Reaction?

The jury is still out about certain allergies related to dry shampoos.  Stylists and most buyers will agree that you get what you pay for. If you use the cheapest dry shampoo brand, it only makes sense the best ingredients are not going to be in there.

Use salon-quality shampoos and conditioners over the dollar store brands. James Burrows, a top stylist, owns and operates the prestigious Mr. Burrows Hair, and he agrees that products with an overpowering amount of fragrances should be left on the shelves or if they smell like powder. In other words, you should also stay away from cheap dry shampoo alternatives.

In addition to that, Mr. Burrows advises anyone having an existing scalp condition to stray away from the unknown brands or those who haven’t developed a reputation yet. Yes, you may pay more for the product. However, it’s better to pay a few extra dollars than hundreds.

What Are the Side Effects?

Again, overdoing anything is not good for anyone so with that said, we can take another look at the side effects of overusing dry shampoos. Anabel Kingsley (hair specialist) of Philip Kingsley, warns users about dry shampooing and overdosing on the product.

• Simply put, it disrupts the natural process of shedding hair strands when dry shampoos are not handled correctly. The noticeable points are normally around the temples and hairline [front], the hair’s most vulnerable points.
• This is mainly true due to the fact the hairline and temple areas receive more attention than any other places on the head. Add to that, the constant back and forth of using wet shampoos and dry shampoos can cause scalp irritation, more so when overused.
• A dermatologist will confirm these theories as the ingredients in dry shampoos are harsh, and they can be harmful to the scalp. Can they increase the risk of shedding?  Yes, according to the chief medical ambassador, Marnie Nussbaum, a certified dermatologist for Sebamed.

Mineral powders and cornstarch can cause a massive build up on the scalp and lead to shedding, flaking and other annoyances. The more product is put on the roots of the hair, and the more build up one is likely to have.

With repetition, it can weigh heavily on the hair follicles, and the follicles grow weak. This, in turn, stops hair growth.

Dry Scalp vs. Dandruff

Most don’t know the difference between dry scalp and dandruff. There’s a huge variation between the two conditions. If you didn’t know the skin renews its cells as well as the scalp renews cells also.

Yes, they do this every day by taking on new skin cells which are underneath, and the old cells die off so the new ones can form. With this said, dandruff is caused by too much sebum or natural hair oil and not because the hair or scalp is dry.

The scalp can itch and itch, so it’s scratched a lot. When the surface is scratched, flakes appear. However, the evidence is building up, not dandruff.  Surprised? The fact the hair hasn’t been cleaned, leaving a ton of dry shampoo, oil, and whatever else was used on the hair, nobody should be shocked.

It’s dirty, grimy and is in desperate need of a wash. While it’s true, flaking makes shedding worse, don’t buy anti-dandruff and other hair care products just yet. Try washing and conditioning the hair a couple of times before spending money on bottles which aren’t necessary and don’t use a dry shampoo.

How to Remove Dry Shampoo Build Up

Although following a routine has been successful in the past, there’s something about this time. The hair is not performing as well as it has been, so what’s the deal? The hair is dull and lifeless, almost sticky to touch. It could be the result of product build-up, which is simple to solve.

When products are constantly being added to hair and not washed away, it happens. When the hair is shampooed on a regular basis, it removes dirt, yeast, and bacteria otherwise, and they sit right there on the scalp. It can irritate the scalp and with good reason.

Pores get clogged, which makes it the perfect ground for scalp acne and infections. How do you remove dry shampoo build up? Add to your monthly routine a clarifying shampoo. This should help remove hair sprays, dry shampoo, and the conditioner that’s left behind oil, bacteria, and yeast.

A dry shampoo can only do so much before even it needs to be washed out. Dry shampoos do not take the place of regular washing and hair care maintenance, but it’s a temporary fix for a temporary situation.

By using a clarifying shampoo regularly, the shampoo normally used for cleaning gets a little boost.

Home Remedies to Remove Build Up

There are alternative methods if the clarifying shampoo is not an option.  Keep reading to find out what most people use.

1. Apple cider vinegar. Using a spray bottle, take and mix together four parts of water and a portion of vinegar. Shake to mix and spray the scalp, saturating the hair. Allow a towel to rest on your shoulders to catch any drips. Wait for about three or five minutes and next, rinse with cool water.  Now, apply your conditioner like always and rinse that out. Dry and style! Shiny, lustrous, bouncy hair restored. If this idea doesn’t soothe the masses, try the next item instead to clean the mane.
2. Baking soda. Mix in one teaspoon of baking soda to the shampoo and leave on the hair.  It only takes a few minutes to set in.  When at least three minutes have passed, rinse out. Continue as normal, but do this about once every month to remove product build-up.
3. Beer. Well, it doesn’t smell very good, but this home remedy works. Take a can of any brand and work it in the mane. Do this after the hair is cleansed and rinse thoroughly with cold water.

These three ingredients are known to work well on removing a build-up of almost any kind. One thing to keep in mind is rinsing the hair completely. Be sure to rinse with cool water at least a couple or three times.

When you do these things to remove dry shampoo build up, the hair will be grateful. Not only that, but it will have more volume, shine, and bounce.  No more lifeless hair, stiff-as-a-board hair… those days are history.

Clarify bi-weekly or monthly, depending on how many products used to style the locks. The home remedies are remarkable, and they are less expensive than the quality or more expensive brands. So, don’t throw away the dry shampoo bottles, yet. There’s still some life left in the hair.