Does Dry Shampoo Cause Hair Loss? How To Use It Properly?

There are some rumors around dry shampoo carrying balding risks – not-so-good news for dry shampoo lovers. Let’s debunk the “does dry shampoo cause hair loss?” myth!

The invention of dry shampoo is a real game-changer. We no longer have to rush to our bathroom most mornings to wash our dirty, smelly hair. There is also more time in our hands to snooze in, and morning hairstyling becomes faster. 

Yet, there is news that dry shampoo does more harm than good every time we spray it on our roots. Does dry shampoo cause hair loss? Should we chuck our magical oil-stripping bottle? Here is the answer!

Does Dry Shampoo Cause Hair Loss?

The short answer is yes. Dry shampoo, if overused, can lead to adverse scalp conditions and hair loss. 

Your old-day or second-day hair looks oily because sebaceous glands in the scalp produce an oily substance called sebum. Dry shampoo carries oil-stripping ingredients to soak the sebum. However, even when you thoroughly brush them off, there are still some residues left on your tresses and scalp. 

If you use dry shampoo in excess (and skip the wet shampooing altogether), or overly extend the break between washes, the buildup will accumulate and cause inflammation, fungal infection, scaly patches, etc. These symptoms make your strands more likely to shed.  

Even if these conditions have yet to happen, applying too much shampoo can weigh down hair follicles, weaken them and stunt their growth. 

The leftover shampoo can bind your hair together. It means that when you brush your head, you’re pulling out more strands than you normally would. 

Finally, if you work the dry shampoo on a frequent basis, your strands are more prone to breakage. It is because some formulas, especially aerosol shampoos, contain alcohol which renders the hair drier and more brittle. 

The temples and front hairline are the most vulnerable, as the strands over there are generally weaker, and the scalp is more likely to be rubbed. It means that there is a high chance of you pulling more strands from the follicles in these areas. 

What Should You Do To Prevent This?

Using Dry Shampoo Correctly

If you want to get the most out of dry shampoo, it is advisable to use it properly:

• Shake the bottle before applying: For spray, aerosol, and foam dry shampoos, shake the bottles to disperse the content inside evenly. It will guarantee even distribution when you spray, and the shampoo does not overly concentrate on one or some particular spots. 
• Section your hair to have a better idea of the area you’ve covered. You don’t want to go over the same place again only to saturate it with shampoo. 
• Keep the proper distance from your roots to the bottle. We suggest 12 inches at max, depending on how powerful the nozzle of the bottle is. Spraying too close to your scalp will leave you with more product residue. 
• Only spray shampoo for oily hair areas, not your scalp. When applying, use common sense to guide you: thicker hair needs more shampoo to absorb the greasiness, whereas finer strands want less. 
• If there’s a lot of residues left on your head, run the brush or comb from root to tip to redistribute it. 

Tips To Prevent Dry Shampoo Causing Hair Fall

• Choose the right shampoo: We recommend powder shampoo for thick, oily hair as it won’t weigh down your hair. Those with fine hair will find spray products are their best friends. They dry quickly, so you are less likely to have much residue on your head if used in moderation. 
• In addition, pay attention to the components of the shampoo to make sure they’re beneficial for your hair. Those made with natural or organic ingredients can save your strands from being damaged by drying agents or harsh chemicals. 
• As convenient as it is, dry shampoo cannot replace actual cleansing with regular shampoo.
• It pays to stick to the 2-day rule. Only use dry shampoo for 2 consecutive days and wash your hair with regular shampoo after that. Besides, do not use dry shampoo several days in a row.
• Consider exfoliating your scalp and incubating your hair to detox it and leave healthy strands.

What Other Causes Of Hair Loss?

Besides overuse of dry shampoo, there are some other reasons why your hair is falling out:

Styling Hair

Anything that damages your hair can lead to potential loss. Colored, permed, or relaxed hair is more susceptible to this problem than normal, healthy hair.

Traction Alopecia

This term simply means hair loss resulting from repeatedly pulling on the strands. Traction alopecia happens when you frequently wear your hair in a tight braid, ponytails, or bun. You might suffer from more severe hair loss if the strands are treated with excessive heat or chemicals. 

Also, some people tend to pull their hair as a way to relieve stress without knowing they’re doing so. The medical term for this tendency is trichotillomania. 

Lack Of Nutrients

If your body doesn’t get enough biotin, protein, iron, and zinc, you might suffer from noticeable hair loss. It often happens when you’re on a restrictive diet or have a heavy menstrual flow. 

Medication

A possible side effect of the medication is hair loss. You should ask your doctor if your drugs have this implication. Drugs for treating cancer cause more dramatic hair loss. 

Scalp Infection

Fungal scalp infection or tinea capitis happens when certain fungi types infect your scalp. The fungus intrudes into the hair fibers of the infected areas and makes them more brittle and more likely to break. 

Hormonal change

During pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, women with hormonal changes can suffer from temporary or permanent hair loss. 

Hereditary

Hair loss is a hereditary condition that will occur when people age. This problem can happen with both men and women. Women often have thinning hair around the crown, whereas men often display bald spots and receding hairline.

Stressful Events

A trauma, physically or mentally, can lead to general thinning for several months. 

Should We Change Our Dry Shampoo Routines?

The answer will depend. As there are several reasons for your hair falling problems, we recommend stop using dry shampoo to see if your strands keep shedding. Also, you should consult a doctor about your conditions. 

If your problems are associated with any of the dry-shampoo blunders we described above, here is our recommendation:

Dermatologists and hairdressers agree that people can use dry shampoo without any issue as long as they’re not going overboard. 

While everyone’s scalp and hair needs are different, we recommend not using dry shampoo more than twice a week and not consecutively. The important thing is that dry shampoo should be used as a stop-gap, not a substitute for regular shampooing.

Leaving dead skin cells, sweat, and excess natural oils on your scalp for too long can adversely impact the health of your tresses. Therefore, it is advisable to lather up your strands with regular shampoo to keep them clean and healthy.

Which Dry Shampoo For Hair Loss Can You Use?

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk 

Formulated with oat milk to moisturize and soothe the scalp and rice and corn starches to soak sebum, Klorane gives the freshly-washed impression to your second-day hair.   

This dry shampoo is safe for any hair type and also helps to give hair extra volume, and helps extend the life of blowouts. There is no sticky residue because the superfine powders can blend themselves into the strands. 

Klorane is hypoallergenic, free of colors and paraben. Hence, it is easy on your scalp and reduces the likelihood of inflammation, and thereby hair loss, if used in moderation.

Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo 

This formula from hairstylist Kristin Ess’s namesake line does not only absorb excess oil in your strands. 

It also contains antioxidant vitamin C to nurture the tresses and integrates the Zip-Up technology to minimize split ends. It will protect your hair from damage from environmental stressors. 

You won’t be likely to overdo it since the nozzle spritzes out a decent amount of powder. Thus, your hair won’t be oversaturated with the product, which is one of the main causes of scalp irritation, inflammation, and potential balding. 

You can use Kristin Ess Shampoo on unwashed hair to strip greasiness and remove any odors or on a clean head if you would like a bit of extra texture. 

SexyHair Big Dry Shampoo 

Oily and dirty hair already looks flat. If you’re suffering from mild hair loss, your head even looks flatter. This shampoo kills two birds with one stone: it helps reduce oil while boosting the volume. 

Let the shampoo settle in your strands for two minutes before messaging or brushing it out to achieve the desired volume. This formula is suitable for all hair types. In addition, it is free of paraben and sulfates, so it’s friendly to your hair and scalp. 

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo is specifically formulated for black and brown tresses. We love this product because the tinted powdery is so fine that it can blend into your strands invisibly. 

The rice starch does a good job at soaking up oil and doesn’t cause major buildup. Of course, you still need to run your brush from roots to ends to make sure there’s no residue, but you don’t have to do it religiously as with other shampoos. 

Because this formula provides UV protection, your hair is further protected from damage. Many people also highly prize the appealing scent of this shampoo, which is a blend of orange blossom and musk. 

Conclusion

Does dry shampoo cause hair loss? Dry shampoo is not the direct cause. However, if you use it too much at a time or several days in a row, the residue will be detrimental to the scalp, leading to breakage and hair thinning. 

If you want to prevent this problem, use dry shampoo moderately in between wet shampooing. Most importantly, be mindful of the amount you spray so as not to oversaturate the head and comb through the residue. As simple as that!