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Over the past several years it’s been revealed that having a healthy head of hair doesn’t necessarily mean washing it everyday. In fact, your scalp may actually produce more oil overtime if you shampoo too frequently, so hair experts recommend washing every other day at the most. During this time your hair will likely still accumulate oil which can create the greasy appearance we all know and love. Enter: dry shampoo. A game changer for lengthening the time between washes, dry shampoo helps to soak up the oil on the scalp and allows it to appear clean for a longer period of time.
However, as with most products, the quality of ingredients included in the formula is important for determining how effective it is. While dry shampoo is generally great for your hair, certain variations can contain ingredients that may lead to buildup and even hair fallout over time. If you’re looking to integrate dry shampoo into your hair routine, this is the one ingredient hair experts warn to steer clear of to avoid buildup and hair loss.
As a natural oil absorber, dry shampoos often contain a variation of starch, flour or talc. According to Gina Rivera, Founder of Phenix Salon Suites, by Gina, and Colours by Gina, this may negatively affect your scalp over time. “All three of these substances can build up on your scalp and clog pores. Plus, when used for several days, the powder residue from these ingredients, combined with other hair products, and natural pollutants in the air will elevate the buildup on the scalp and the hair shaft. This can lead to certain scalp problems such as scaly patches, red skin, dandruff and under the worst circumstance, hair loss,” she warns.
While the precise purpose of dry shampoo is to soak up excess oil on the scalp, when used too frequently it may build up on the scalp and clog pores, limiting your ability to grow healthy strands. Rivera notes that a healthy scalp is vital for growing strong and beautiful hair, so if you’re relying too heavily on dry shampoo to get you through to your next wash, you should reevaluate your schedule. “Be aware that dry shampoo is not a cleanser and should never take the place of cleaning your scalp with water and a good wetline. The key, as with everything, is to use dry shampoo in moderation. I recommend Pure BioGen Complex as a wetline! It’s terrific for removing build up from dry shampoo and other products,” Rivera says.
The best way to find a dry shampoo that works for your scalp is to check with a stylist or hair expert to evaluate which product type will work best to eliminate oil while also avoiding buildup. Rivera suggests tailoring your dry shampoo both to your hair type as well as your scalp, so a specialist will likely know best.
At the end of the day, dry shampoo can be a great addition to your hair care routine if you want to make it another day or two between washes. It’s when you start relying on it too heavily as a replacement for shampoo that you can find yourself struggling with brittle, weak strands more prone to breakage due to buildup at the scalp. Keep an eye out for flour and other oil absorbers when choosing the best dry shampoo for your hair type, and make sure you’re using your secret weapon in moderation to bring out the best in your hair without risking fallout.
