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It is crazy that I used to shower every day and now I am wondering if dry shampoo actually cleans your hair
As a mom of twins, I don’t have a lot of time
My husband showers in the morning before work and my boys take a bath every night
I have the kids all day so showering is hard
And our hot water tank can only handle one shower every couple of hours
That all equals to me showering about once a week
I hate the feeling of greasy hair so I searched for a solution… and I found dry shampoo!
Before I jumped in and tried it, I wanted to know how it worked
And now I am sharing that information with the next mom who needs it too!
What is Dry Shampoo?
Dry shampoo is a product that you spray onto your hair to reduce greasiness and oil without needing water
The product is a powder in an aerosol can that is usually based on corn starch or rice starch
There are many brands that create their own dry shampoo, and some work better than others
Some are better at absorbing dirt, oil, and grease from your hair
Others leave a visible white powder behind
I use one from OGX, I really like it but to be honest…
I haven’t tested others
So I can’t say that it is the best one
Is It Better To Wash Your Hair or Use Dry Shampoo?
While dry shampoo can help you when you are in a pinch, they are not a replacement for washing your hair
Dirt and buildup happen naturally on the scalp, and dry shampoos do not do anything for that
Instead of thinking of dry shampoo as actual shampoo…
Consider it a hair refresher
With all of that said, it is better to wash your hair if it needs to be cleaned
And use dry shampoo if your hair just needs freshening up
Does Dry Shampoo Actually Clean Your Hair?
Dry Shampoo does not actually clean your hair
When you spray it on your hair, the powder absorbs grease and oil
It can absorb some dirt but that is not the primary goal
It makes you look cleaner because the hair looks dirtier when it is greasy
Some people have naturally greasy hair which makes them look like they are dirty
Dry shampoo takes that away
But it also dries out your hair if you use it too much
Just like with all things, there is a balance
Dry shampoo is a refresher, not a shower replacement
How Long Does Dry Shampoo Last In Hair?
Dry shampoo can last up to a few days, but it depends on how greasy your hair gets
Dry shampoo is a powder that absorbs grease
That means that powder gets saturated and can no longer absorb new oil
Which means it is not working anymore
If you don’t have naturally greasy hair, then that same amount of powder lasts days
My suggestion is to start using it and paying attention to how long it lasted in your hair on average
Also, you can try different brands to see what works best for you
Every dry shampoo will have a special recipe that the brand uses
So they all work a little different
Why You Shouldn’t Use Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a spray-on powder
That means it will build up on your scalp if you use it too often or leave it too long
This can lead to your hair follicles getting clogged and an itchy scalp
You aren’t actually cleaning your hair
Dry shampoo makes it look like you are making your hair cleaner while actually making it dirtier
That being said, I still use it on occasion when I need refreshing
I have not noticed an effect on my colored hair, but I try to limit myself to using it twice a week
Just like anything, balance is key
Use it wisely and use a good quality brand, and you should be just fine!
But how do you know if it’s good quality?
There are some ingredients to avoid
- Talc
Talc is used a lot in beauty products but it is not good
Many health concerns, including cancer, are linked to Talc
So finding dry shampoo without it is a good idea
- Phenoxyethanol
There is nothing wrong with the natural version of phenoxyethanol
But often it is the man-made version in the dry shampoo
Phenoxyethanol helps fight bacteria
While there are not a lot of studies, synthetic phenoxyethanol has been linked to many illnesses and it’s not worth the risk
- Alcohol
Alcohol is going to be in many of the products
It is excellent for absorbing oil and grease
But can be harmful if you use it too much
Alcohol can over dry your scalp causing dandruff, dryness, itch, and blocked pores
Final thoughts
Just like anything, find a balance
Dry shampoo is a nice backup but doesn’t actually clean your hair like washing does
You are trading temporarily looking cleaner with being dirtier
As a mom, I get it!
And I do use dry shampoo
But I only use it when I need a little help
This stage of your life will feel like it is lasting forever, but also feel so short
So just do the best you can
Do you need dry shampoo a couple of times a week to hide that I can’t shower often?
Do it
Just understand the truth and the risks
All you can do is the best you can in life
And your best is good enough!