From The Straits Times    |

is dry shampoo bad for your hair

Image: Showbit

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying to throw out all your dry shampoo right now. I myself can’t live without it! That said, there are potentially unpleasant outcomes that could arise from using dry shampoo over time, especially if you aren’t using it right.

Keep on reading to find out just what dry shampoo can do to your hair and scalp, and all the advice we have on how to avoid these unpleasant outcomes while still getting to enjoy your fuss-free hair days.

#1 IT CAN CAUSE BREAKOUTS

As someone with a lazy streak and long hair, dry shampoo has become a necessity in my beauty routine. I tend to go at least 2 days before washing my hair and dry shampoo is the only way to get my hair looking good on the second day. Sometimes, my hair might still look decent on day two, only requiring a small amount of dry shampoo. This leads to me forgetting I used it, and going a third day without shampooing my hair. Using dry shampoo on day three however, almost always results in a pimple appearing somewhere on my scalp.

The product builds up and clogs your pores and follicles with oil, sebum and bacteria, which inevitably leads to itching and the possibility of breakouts. All of this buildup, also leads to the next outcome, which is an unhealthy scalp.

#2 IT CAN CAUSE YOUR HAIR TO THIN OVER TIME

The product buildup from dry shampoo over time can clog hair follicles which actually restricts the blood circulation by limiting the exposure of your scalp to oxygen. And we know that good blood circulation is important for maintaining a healthy head of hair!

#3 IT DAMAGES YOUR HAIR

The powdery texture and oil-absorbing properties of dry shampoo can actually dry out your hair over time. Your scalp and the roots of your hair aren’t actually refreshed by dry shampoo, which really just absorbs the excess oil. If you use dry shampoo very frequently without removing the buildup thoroughly in between uses, the drying powder can suck the life out of your hair over time, leaving you with rather lacklustre locks.

 

HOW TO MINIMISE THE DAMAGE & PREVENT ALL OF THE ABOVE?

Try, as far as possible, to always wash your hair thoroughly after using dry shampoo. If you’re afraid of the synthetic ingredients that are found in most dry shampoos, opt for a more natural option instead! One of my current favourites is actually a dry shampoo from Aveda’s Shampure line. It uses corn and tapioca starches and oat flour, among other ingredients, to absorb the oil in your hair. It does look like a white powder, but it brushes out really well and doesn’t leave white patches behind. It also does a decent job at remaining lightweight.

Other dry shampoos I love that aren’t harsh on your hair or scalp are Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo from Sephora, or the Klorane dry shampoo with oat milk you can get from Guardian stores.

Another thing that’s important for getting rid of product build up on your scalp, is investing in a clarifying shampoo that will really get your scalp as clean as possible. They’re more powerful cleansing shampoos which can be quite drying on your hair, so make sure to use them no more than a couple of times a month.

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