Is Dry Shampoo Bad for Your Hair? What Experts Want You to Know

Dermatologists are weighing in on one of the most popular shortcuts in hair care. Here's what the experts say about how often you should really be reaching for that can.

It's the perfect hack when you're short on time and can't fit in a full wash, whether you're running late for work, camping outdoors, or heading out after a workout.

A woman applying dry shampoo to her hair | Source: Getty Images

A few spritzes on the scalp soak up greasy oils, restoring volume and giving hair that fresh, clean look. It's easy to see why people love dry shampoo.

However, according to board-certified dermatologist Zoe Draelos, MD, FAAD, the most common reason people use dry shampoo is to make hair dye, highlights, and salon styles like blowouts and updos last longer.

Another bonus is that "some dry shampoos contain pigment that helps cover gray," says board-certified dermatologist Paradi Mirmirani, MD, FAAD. She adds, "If you have fine, long hair that gets frizzy after washing, you may want to use dry shampoo to reduce how often you wash your hair."

A woman applying product to the tips of her hair | Source: Getty Images

But if you start relying on the product too heavily and go too long without actually washing your hair, dry shampoo might begin to do more harm than good.

"The name dry shampoo is actually a misnomer because it's not cleaning the hair the way that our traditional shampoos would," Dr. Nada Elbuluk, associate professor of clinical dermatology at USC Keck School of Medicine, said.

She explained that dry shampoos, which usually come in spray or powder form, are made of starches or alcohols. Those ingredients "don't really clean the hair," Dr. Shari Lipner, associate professor of clinical dermatology at the Weill Cornell Medical Center, added.

A woman scratching her scalp | Source: Getty Images

Instead, they absorb oil, giving the hair a cleaner, fluffier appearance. "Dry shampoo is not a cleansing mechanism for your hair or your scalp," Dr. Shari Marchbein, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said.

"It is a way of absorbing dirt, oil, debris, bacteria and old haircare products that are lying on the scalp and the hair from the preceding days," she added. Dr. Elbuluk further noted that dry shampoo isn't designed for everyday use, adding that relying on it too often can take a toll on both the scalp and the hair.

A woman with damaged hair | Source: Getty Images

When used correctly, dry shampoo is unlikely to trigger serious scalp issues for most people. Overuse, however, can lead to scalp irritation or folliculitis, a condition in which the hair follicles become inflamed.

Certain people are more susceptible to scalp problems from dry shampoo than others. That includes those with sensitive skin and anyone dealing with other scalp conditions like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis.

Dr. Lipner advises that people with these conditions may want to avoid dry shampoo altogether, as it could worsen scalp irritation. The experts also warn that leaving the product in for extended periods, or using it in place of regular washing, may result in hair breakage.

A woman checking her brush for hair | Source: Getty Images

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Dry shampoo works well as a quick fix for stretching out a blowout or freshening up between the gym and dinner, but it can't replace a real wash. Dr. Elbuluk explains that the product leaves residue on the scalp, which eventually has to be washed away.

Handy as it may be, the experts recommend against making dry shampoo a go-to in your beauty routine. Instead, they suggest reserving it for times when it's genuinely needed and using it sparingly, ideally just once or twice a week, depending on how well your scalp tolerates it.