The Truth About Dry Shampoo And Hair Loss

Saving time in the morning when in a rush often means forgoing washing, drying, and styling your hair. However, dry shampoo has been taking care of part of that problem for many people. It's easy to have what many call "second day hair" when you have a styling product that's quick to use, as it saves time and stress. But is dry shampoo all it's cracked up to be, or can it damage your hair by causing hair loss? 

There has long been debate about whether washing your hair with traditional shampoo on a daily basis is healthy for your hair. According to Byrdie, many shampoos contain chemicals that activate when they come in contact with your scalp, hair, and water. This helps wash grease and dirt out of your hair, but too much of a good thing can become detrimental.

Dominic Burg, the chief scientist at Évolis Professional, told Byrdie that regular shampooing can interfere with the microbiome filled with good bacteria on your scalp. "Too frequent washing of the scalp with harsh cleansers can upset that microbiome, and an imbalance in the microbiome can lead to scalp problems," he said. So, is dry shampoo really the solution?

Dry shampoo has a myriad of benefits, according to Familiprix. Clearly, it can lengthen the time between regular washing and can prevent killing good bacteria and drying out your hair. Added bonus — if you're not wetting your hair as often, you avoid heat products like blow dryers that can damage hair. Also, if you have color-treated hair, regular shampooing can fade the color, but dry shampoo does not.

You can find dry shampoo as an aerosol mist, powder, or in mousse form and it helps keep hair styled longer, so that look you achieve in the morning can stay all day — just make sure your hair is completely dry when you apply it because it's not meant to mix with water. Familiprix also noted that dry shampoo comes in tinted and scented varieties. However, the hints of color in tinted dry shampoo are less likely to be noticeable on much darker hair.

The simple answer to this looming question is maybe. This all depends on the individual person and your skin type, your scalp health, the type of dry shampoo you choose to use, and your traditional hair-washing routine, according to Tip Hero. Dry shampoo is specifically made to absorb oil from the hair and keep that second day hair from looking greasy, which sounds great. The downside, however, is that it can build up on your scalp and weaken your hair follicles, possibly making your hair fall out.

"In extreme circumstances and used excessively, dry shampoos could actually cause damage and thinning or balding," Dr. William Yates, a hair restoration surgeon, told Refinery29. "Dry shampoos absorb the excess oil on the hair shaft produced by the sebaceous gland. If overused, it could cause the hair to dry and break more easily, leading to thinning and possible balding."

Yates advised using dry shampoo in moderation, as it does have its advantages. "It should not be relied upon as the sole method of cleansing," he warned.