Dry shampoo has become a very popular solution for those who are looking for a quick and easy way to wash their hair without having to take a shower. It’s great in those situations where your hair needs to look presentable, but you don’t have time to wash it the traditional way. It isn’t, however, a substitute for washing your hair with normal shampoo and water. Regular washings should still take place in between dry shampoo cleanings, but dry shampoo can be used when in a bind.

Because dry shampoo has become so popular recently, there has also been growing concern over the effects that it may have on your hair and scalp. Washing your hair with shampoo and water too often can adversely affect your hair, leaving it dry and unprotected, but can dry shampoo cause problems as well?

One of the major concerns with dry shampoo is hair loss. Can the use of dry shampoo cause hair loss over time? Should you be worried about how often you’re using dry shampoo?

Let’s take a quick look at what dry shampoo is, it’s best use cases, and whether or not there is the possibility that dry shampoo could be causing you to lose your hair.

What Is Dry Shampoo?

Dry shampoo is designed to soak up the excess oil and grease that can accumulate in your hair in between washings. While traditional shampoo and washings will eliminate and remove the dirt and grime that may build up in your hair, dry shampoo will not remove those elements.

Instead dry shampoo uses alcohol and starch to soak up the grease and oil in  your hair to make it appear less stringy or greasy. This is one of the reasons why it’s not a good replacement for traditional shampoos.

Since it doesn’t remove the dirt from your hair, and doesn’t properly clean your scalp, you will still be left with dirty hair even though it may not appear that way.

Check out our full article about dry shampoo, what it is, and how it’s used for more information on this type of cleaning product.

Will The Use of Dry Shampoo Cause Hair Loss or Thinning?

The short answer to this question is no, dry shampoo itself, when used properly, will not cause hair loss or hair thinning. However, you do want to keep an eye on how often you’re using it and how often you’re washing your hair with regular shampoo and water in between dry shampoo uses.

While there hare no scientific studies or research showing that the ingredients in dry shampoo cause hair loss, the overuse of dry shampoo can cause problems with your scalp, which can then cause problems with hair growth.

Dry shampoo uses alcohol and starch to help soak up the oils in your hair, which means that it can make your hair and scalp very dry with repeated uses. Hair needs moisture in order to stay healthy, so by drying out your hair, it can become brittle and damaged.

Over time, dry, damaged, hair can begin to break off and fall out of not corrected. Taking a shower and washing your hair with traditional shampoo and moisturizing conditioner can help to prevent your hair from becoming brittle and damaged from dry shampoo use. This is why it’s important to not overuse the dry shampoo.

We recommend not using dry shampoo more than twice per week without washing your hair with water. As long as you’re washing your hair properly in between dry shampoo uses, you shouldn’t run into any issues in terms of hair loss or thinning.

Clogged Follicles from Dry Shampoo Use

Another side effect of overusing dry shampoo can be clogged or blocked hair follicles. Dry shampoo can leave a residue that can harden and block your hair follicles. Also, since you’re not removing the normal oil, sweat, debris or residue from hair products, this too can build up on the scalp. If the hair follicles get clogged by too much buildup, it can prevent new hairs from growing, thus leading to the thinning hair or hair loss.

If the follicles remain clogged, or the residue is not washed from the scalp, it can lead to inflammation, rashes, and even infections. If not treated properly these problems can lead to bigger issues and ultimately can cause temporary hair loss.

The good news is that clogged follicles can be treated and reversed, thus allowing the hair to begin to regrow in those areas. So if you do notice your scalp becoming itchy or red after using dry shampoo for extended periods of time, we suggest discontinuing the use of the shampoos and thoroughly wash your hair and scalp with traditional shampoos and conditioners for a while.

If your scalp does not begin to show signs of healing, or is burning, itchy and red, then you will need to see a doctor in order to help clear up the inflammation and help things to settle down.

Dry Shampoos and Hair Loss

Dry shampoos are great when you’re in a bind and can’t wash your hair, but they should only be used a couple times a week and you should always find time to wash your hair with shampoo and water.

Temporary hair loss or hair thinning can occur as a side effect over overuse of dry shampoo, but the dry shampoo itself should not affect your hair growth at all.

If you have any questions about hair loss or hair loss treatments, please contact us at the Limmer Hair Transplant Center in San Antonio. We are happy to setup a consultation to help you get to the root of your hair problems and come up with a treatment plan or discuss hair transplant surgery.