10 Benefits of Dry Shampoo (and How to Use It)

Last Updated on March 17, 2022

benefits of dry shampoo

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Even if you love the squeaky-clean feel of freshly washed hair, you most likely do not love taking so much time to shampoo, condition, comb, dry and style your hair. If you’ve been going through this full hair care routine every day, you’re probably sick of wasting your time every morning just to find out that your scalp is greasy within 24 hours.

With dry shampoo, you can decrease the frequency with which you wash your hair, saving you time and improving your hair health. In fact, once you start using dry shampoo consistently, you may be surprised to discover some of the other incredible benefits of this seemingly inconsequential hair product.

Whether you have never used dry shampoo before or simply do not know the best way to use it, keep reading to learn about tips and tricks for making this aerosolized powder work well for your hair.

Related: How to Use Black Tea on Hair

What Is Dry Shampoo?

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My favorite dry shampoo

Dry shampoo is an aerosolized powder that is meant to be sprayed onto the roots of your hair in between washes. The powder is usually made of alcohol-based or starch-based ingredients to absorb oil that your scalp naturally releases.

Many times, these waterless shampoo sprays also include added scents so that your hair can smell fresh in between washes. Other dry shampoos come in a variety of hair shades so that the powder matches your hair and you do not have to worry about walking around with white powder left in your strands.

As you can tell by its name, dry shampoo is meant to be applied to your hair while it is dry. It can get rid of the greasy appearance of your hair, but it does not actually cleanse your hair despite being called a shampoo.

Although it is a great product designed to be used in between washes, it should not replace your traditional shampoo altogether.

3 Best Dry Shampoos

Dry Shampoo Benefits

what is dry shampoo

While it is easy to imagine a few of the benefits of using dry shampoo, you may be astounded by how much it can simplify and improve your life and the life of your hair. When you choose to use dry shampoo regularly, you will be able to enjoy the following benefits.

1. Wash Your Hair Less Often

The first and probably most important benefit of using dry shampoo is that you do not have to wash your hair as frequently. This can save you money on shampoo, conditioner and hair styling products.

If you recently got a professional blowout, you can enjoy your amazing hairstyle for an extra day or two by spritzing your roots with dry shampoo.

Related: How Often Can You Use Conditioner?

2. Decrease Fading of Color-Treated Hair

Most color-treated hair can only stand up to a certain number of shampoos before the color begins gradually fading away. Shampoos naturally strip your hair.

However, dry shampoo does not open up the cuticle of your hair and will keep your hair looking vibrant for twice as long if you use it regularly.

3. Keeps Hair Healthy and Hydrated

The oil in your hair may seem like a nuisance, but your strands need this oil to stay soft, hydrated and healthy.

If you wash your hair too frequently to get rid of the oil around the crown of your head, these oils may never make it down to the ends of your hair, which may begin to look dry and frizzy.

By stretching out the time between washes, your natural scalp oils have a chance to make it further down your strands.

4. Reduces Heat Damage

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Every time you blow dry your hair or style with heat, your hair takes a beating. Heat can cause irreparable split ends. Dry shampoo can reduce some of this damage by keeping your hair looking great in between washes.

Related: How to Repair Heat Damaged Hair

5. Saves You Time

Clearly, not having to wash, dry and style your hair constantly can save you plenty of time.

Dry shampoo can be a lifesaver on those early mornings when you need to be at work or when you fall asleep early and do not have time for a full shampoo and styling session.

See Also: Should You Use Shampoo or Conditioner First?

6. Lets You Go from the Gym to Work

Any vigorous work, including home or gym workouts, makes your scalp produce more oil. This is especially true if you are working out in a hot or humid environment.

With dry shampoo, you can freshen up your locks immediately after your workout so that you are ready to go on with the rest of your day while looking your best.

7. Improves Hair Scent

If you are concerned that you will miss that delightful smell of freshly washed hair, fear not. Many dry shampoos have amazing scents added to give you a floral, tropical or fruity scent.

You may find that you do not even have to wear perfume thanks to the amazing scent of your hair.

8. Improves Hair Volume

The powders found in most dry shampoos add incredible volume to your hair. It lifts the strands at your roots and keeps them from being dragged down by oil.

Even if you woke up with your hair flattened from your pillow, dry shampoo can create the volume or texture that you need.

See Also: How to Keep Hair Straight Overnight

9. Improves Hair Texture

Speaking of hair texture, dry shampoo gives hair the grip you need for amazing hairstyles. In fact, you may find that dry shampoo lets you more easily create different types of braids, buns and other updos that will not fall apart before the end of the day.

10. Decreases Oil Production

With continued dry shampoo use, you will most likely find that your scalp stops making quite so much oil.

In fact, you may even be able to go from washing your hair every other day to washing it every third day, further cutting back on the amount of chemical-laden shampoos and styling products you need to use.

How to CORRECTLY Use Dry Shampoo

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If you have never used dry shampoo before, you will definitely want to learn the ideal way to apply it. Not using it correctly can lead to powdery white strands or dull-looking hair.

  1. Shake the bottle before using so that all of the powder is evenly distributed in the aerosol.
  2. Hold the bottle at least six to eight inches away from your hair so that you do not have to worry about blasting too much powder on your roots.
  3. Spray directly at the roots, focusing on your oiliest spots. This will most likely be along your hairline and temple and at the crown of your head. Lift your hair in sections to ensure that you cover all the spots.
  4. Massage the dry shampoo into your hair with your fingertips so that it can absorb all of your unwanted oil. Leave the dry shampoo in for a few minutes so that it can work completely.
  5. Brush out excess powder. You can also blast your strands with a cool hair dryer for extra volume.

Related: 13 Types of Hair Brushes

Whether you are a busy business person or a harried parent, there are plenty of dry shampoo uses that can improve your life. By using it regularly between shampoos, you can extend the length of your hairstyle and still look your best.

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