You Should Apply Dry Shampoo Before You Work Out — Here's Why

While there's a limit to how often you should really use dry shampoo, most of us are guilty of using it maybe a few too many times in-between hair wash days. The science of dry shampoo is relatively simple. Per Good Housekeeping, hair colorist Gio Bargallo explains that "the components of starch absorb the oils to give a grease-free appearance and feel," allowing your hair to appear fresher and cleaner. Still, sometimes spraying an abundance of dry shampoo just doesn't work, and can in fact leave your hair feeling dry and brittle.

If you've ever finished a workout and spritzed your hair only to have the above happen, it could be because you're applying your dry shampoo wrong. There is a right and wrong way to apply dry shampoo, and knowing when and how to do it can turn your hair from lank to full of volume in seconds. Interestingly, applying dry shampoo before instead of after your workout could be the trick to longer-lasting hair. So, why exactly should you spray before you hit the gym, and what difference will it make to your hair post-workout?

Speaking to Byrdie, dermatologists Rebecca Marcus, M.D., and Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., F.A.A.D., advised spraying dry shampoo before you get all sweaty rather than after your workout is done. The logic behind this advice is that the dry shampoo will absorb sweat and oil as it builds up during your workout. By being one step ahead, you'll be actively combatting the oils as they happen instead of letting them dry out. Zubritsky also recommended toning down how much dry shampoo you use for best results, so only apply it to the parts of your scalp that generally look the greasiest after exercise.

To get the most benefit out of your product, hairstylist Chris Appleton says it's important to let your dry shampoo rest for a few minutes so it can settle into your hair (via Allure). Once it's begun to absorb, Appleton recommends massaging it thoroughly into your scalp area, as this is what will allow the ingredients of your dry shampoo to really get to work. If your hair still has visible residue after massaging, you may have applied too much. In this case, gently brush the excess out using a comb. 

Per Vogue, celeb hairstylist George Northwood is also a fan of applying dry shampoo before rather than after, stating, "I use dry shampoo on my clients for prevention, not cure." Like the above stylists, he advises using dry shampoo sparingly, with the aim being to disperse the product evenly rather than having it all settle in one place. To ensure you end up with a freshly styled look, Northwood recommends treating dry shampoo like regular shampoo. By massaging dry shampoo evenly across sections of your scalp like you would when washing your hair, you'll achieve a solid final result. 

Thinking of throwing your hair up in a post-gym messy bun? Forget it. Northwood says the combination of dry shampoo and a go-to lazy day hairstyle cancel each other out, creating a look that is more bedhead than casually tousled.

Next time you plan to run on the treadmill or lift some weights, use dry shampoo beforehand so you come out the other end feeling and looking fresher. Your hair will thank you.