Q&A for How to Use Dry Shampoo

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  • Question
    Can dry shampoo damage your hair?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Dry shampoo can't damage your strands, but it can clog your follicles. Dry shampoo can also interfere with your hair's natural oil production if used too frequently.
  • Question
    Can you use dry shampoo on dry hair?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, in fact, you should always apply dry shampoo to dry hair. If your hair is dehydrated, you may want to use dry conditioner instead. It will also add volume and hold, but hydrates hair as well.
  • Question
    How does dry shampoo work?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Dry shampoo is a very fine powder. It works by coating your hair in an absorbent layer that adds volume and soaks up oil.
  • Question
    Can I use dry conditioner after I take a shower and use regular conditioner?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can use a dry conditioner after showering. Wait until your hair is dry before you apply it, though. You can either air dry your hair or use a blow dryer. Then apply the dry conditioner just as you would a dry shampoo.
  • Question
    Does colored dry shampoo wash out?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Yes! Simply wash your hair with regular shampoo to remove the colored dry shampoo.
  • Question
    Can I still use other hair products on my hair after using dry shampoo?
    Community Answer
    You can use most hair products after using dry shampoo. Hairspray is an exception, though, as it contains chemicals that can cause your hair to fall out when they are mixed with dry shampoo.
  • Question
    Is it necessary to also wash your hair when you are using dry shampoo?
    Community Answer
    No. The purpose of dry shampoo is to be able to clean your hair when you can't or don't want to wash it. However, it should only be used occasionally. Try to wash your hair normally most of the time.
  • Question
    Are different brands of dry shampoos different from one another?
    Community Answer
    Not really. For the most part, they are all the same. Some are tinted a different color, however. For example, if you have brown hair, you could get a brown colored dry shampoo to make it less visible in your hair. Also, some come in a loose powder form while others come as a spray.
  • Question
    Can I use a curling iron after the spray dries?
    Community Answer
    Definitely, but make sure that it is evenly distributed throughout the hair, either by brushing it or just spraying it evenly. Don't forget to remove excess powder before you start to style your hair.
  • Question
    What happens if you get it into your eye?
    Community Answer
    Flush the eye thoroughly with water. Check the bottle for instructions. If the flushing did not help, contact a doctor.
  • Question
    How do I maintain my braids with dry shampoo?
    Community Answer
    Spray the dry shampoo onto your hair about six inches from your head. Leave it on for about a minute, then pat or rub slightly on your braid to dust it off.
  • Question
    Can you use dry shampoo on hair that is straightened or willl it make your hair go back to normal?
    Community Answer
    Dry shampoo can cause hair to lose its shape if curled or straightened. Apply it before you style your hair.
  • Question
    Is it really healthy to use the dry shampoo every other day?
    Community Answer
    No, dry shampoo is only meant to be used once in a while when you aren't able to wash your hair normally. You should shampoo your hair normally every other day, and use dry shampoo only in emergencies.
  • Question
    Can we use a dry shampoo on sweaty hair?
    Community Answer
    Sweat can limit how much oil the shampoo absorbs. Towel off your hair before you apply dry shampoo.
  • Question
    Can I use dry shampoo at night?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Dry shampoo can be used at any time of the day.
  • Question
    Will rye flour work on its own to act as a dry shampoo if I don't have access to corn starch?
    Blondtraillite
    Top Answerer
    This is an experiment you will have to try on your own. Women were using talcum powder (baby powder) for decades for this purpose before dry shampoo was ever marketed or people started using different mixtures of powders, so it's possible it would work.
  • Question
    Can I use dry shampoo that has already had gel applied?
    Blondtraillite
    Top Answerer
    If the gel is dry -- particularly if you used gel the day before and are just trying to re-enliven your hair before the next shampoo -- yes, you can. If there is any moisture or stickiness, the dry shampoo will cling and make a clumpy white mess.
  • Question
    Should I wash my hair regularly without regular shampoo, or should I just wash it with water, dry it, and then use the dry shampoo?
    Community Answer
    In order to use dry shampoo, you do not have to wash your hair at all. Dry shampoo is made to be used on dry hair that has not been rinsed in the shower. Although if you do plan to take a shower and then use dry shampoo the next day, you should definitely just wash your hair normally with shampoo.
  • Question
    Can I put dry shampoo on every time I work out?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can wear dry shampoo every day! However, it is no substitute for an in-depth shampoo in a shower. Dry shampoo doesn’t cure everything, and it will be more difficult to hide oiliness when there is a lot of it.
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