Dry shampoo is marketed to be your best friend, but in reality, it’s likely doing more harm than good. The potential damage that can be caused to your scalp from using dry shampoo too frequently outweighs the temporary relief it provides. Dry shampoo works by absorbing the excess oils found on your scalp, which in turn, leaves your hair feeling lighter and “cleaner” in a sense. However, this otherwise “perfect fix” poses the risk of chemical buildup on your scalp which has damaging and irritating implications.
SCALP IRRITATION
In addition to drying your scalp, the ingredients in dry shampoo can build up over time which can lead to an itchy, dry, and red scalp. The next time that you wash your hair – whether it’s motivated by hygiene or to relieve your dry-shampoo-induced irritation – you will find it difficult to wash out. To truly get product buildup out of your hair, you’ll likely need to ditch your regular shampoo and conditioner routine and instead use a clarifying shampoo, an apple cider vinegar rinse, or baking soda.
WASHING HABITS
Some evidence conducted by Philip Kingsley suggests that dry shampoo doesn’t cause as many problems as does the irregular hair washing habits that it promotes. Contrary to its name, dry shampoo is not an appropriate substitute to washing your hair. It surely has a purpose in a specific time and place: a quick freshen up after a workout, to preserve your blowout; for instance, if you don’t have enough time to shower before a dinner. Just like washing your face, your scalp’s skin is in need of regular and intentional attention. Cleaning your hair and scalp regularly is essential to proper hygiene as it is also important to promoting hair growth. Although there is the alternative issue of over-washing one’s hair, regular washing keeps one’s scalp clean, limits inflammation, and facilitates healthy, thick, and nourished hair growth.
HEALTHY SCALP HEALTHY HAIR
In addition to causing possible discomfort, dry shampoo can damage hair and limit future hair growth. Product buildup can occur when dry shampoo is used frequently without supplemented washes in between doses. This excess product can clog pores and hair follicles which will limit hair growth and contribute to thinning hair. Additionally, the hair that does grow after regular use of dry shampoo will likely be weaker. Your scalp naturally produces an oil, sebum, that helps strengthen, shine, and grow your hair. When dry shampoo is left on your scalp for too long, or an excess amount is built up, its oil-drying properties will be applied to not only your “greasy” or dirty oils, but also to your natural sebum supply. This interaction would inevitably leave your new hair growth without proper hydration and nourishment, which it needs.
THE FREEWELL SOLUTION
Freewell stands for just about the opposite of everything that dry shampoo does. Rather than drying out your hair and scalp, Freewell’s Power Gloss deeply moisturizes, protects, and promotes your scalp and hair follicles to promote hair growth. Therefore, if you find yourself in a pinch, or a few pinches, and need to use dry shampoo more often than you’d like, Freewell’s Power Gloss can be a sustainable means of recovery for your hair and scalp. After regular dry shampoo use, as stated previously, your hair and scalp will likely be deprived of natural oils that are needed to promote healthy hair, but using Power Gloss can help balance oil production to give you overall hair health.
WRITTEN BY: Elizabeth Bulat, Collegiate Athlete & Student at Northwestern University