Maybe you just styled your hair and a drop of water completely erased all of your hard work. Maybe you don't have the time required to “lather, rinse, repeat” and dry your hair every day. Or, maybe you know that 'pooing your hair too often strips it of the beneficial oils that keep it healthy.
With all of that in mind, you may want to try dry shampoo!
What is dry shampoo anyway?
Dry shampoo works by soaking up the sebum that is released from the scalp. Sebum is "an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands." (Thanks, Internet!)
Anyway, the dry shampoo soaks up that oily secretion then travels down the hair shaft without removing the good oils. It works on men and women with every hair type.
Finding the right dry shampoo
If you have fine hair: Try the powder form to add bonus volume and texture without weighing your hair down.
If you have thick hair: Unless Marie Antoinette is your style icon, aerosol is your best bet. You will get fresh looking hair without the extreme added volume. Note that aerosol is the most common form of dry shampoo, and it absolutely works on fine and curly hair too.
If you have curly hair: There is a new kid on the block! Dry shampoo paste starts out goopy and quickly turns into an absorbent powder when rubbed. The benefit of the paste is that you have apply the formula with your hands so you never have to run a brush through your curls.
Next, see if you can find a dry shampoo for your hair color. There are different tints and the right one can enhance its hue. Generic dry shampoos will work for any hair color, so this is just a bonus!
Two-step application process
When applying the aerosol product, hold it roughly six inches from your head to avoid inseparable build-up. Don't worry if the product appears white: it’s working its magic!
Wait three minutes and then brush through your hair; if you have curly or textured hair you can rub your scalp thoroughly with your fingers.
Pro tip: To add volume to your hair, avoid applying it to the top of the head. Instead, lift a layer of hair and spray underneath to the root.
Pro tip: Some people prefer to use dry shampoo before going to bed. This gives it the maximum amount of time to do its thing, and any excess will be shaken off naturally during your slumber.
But be careful!
We, at Zone, would be remiss if we didn't remind you that there is no perfect product, and dry shampoo is not without its cons.
Always read the label: Some dry shampoos contain alcohol, butane, isobutane, or propane — chemicals that may make the hair more brittle over time. If you prefer to know exactly what you're feeding your scalp, there are many easy-to-follow recipes online at your disposal.
If you have scalp problems like dandruff or psoriasis, please avoid dry shampoo altogether, as it will only exacerbate the problem. Over-accumulation can also lead to clogged pores— disrupting normal hair growth, pimples, and in extreme cases… cysts!
You should wash your hair after 3 uses or once a week to keep your hair and scalp healthy and, of course, clean!
The key takeaway is this: Do not rely too heavily on dry shampoo as its effectiveness and convenience unfortunately does not equal the benefits that a traditional wash will give you - hygiene and scalp health always come first! Overall, though, it is a miracle product to have when you want to look polished on those hectic days! Or just Mondays, let's be honest.