What is Dry Shampoo? Your Go-To Guide for Fabulous Hair Days Every Day

| Dec 03

Every day is a good hair day, once you know what dry shampoo is. Making your life phenomenally easier and your hair shiny, a dry shampoo simply checks all the boxes. However, a good chunk of us are still coming to grips with how does dry shampoo work. The blog is here to solve it all, down to the utilities and the benefits of dry shampoo.

Quick overview of what a dry shampoo is and why it’s a must-have:

Dry shampoo absorbs excess oils, sweat, and dirt from your scalp without the need for water.
Various forms—spray, powder, and paste—cater to different hair types and needs.
Advantages of dry shampoo include maintaining fresh hair, adding volume, extending hairstyles, saving time, and reducing hair damage.

What is Dry Shampoo?

Essentially, a dry shampoo absorbs excess oils, sweat, and dirt from your scalp, without the hassle of a full-blown hair wash. They come in the form of a spray, powder, or foam. Ideally, a dry shampoo should extend the freshness of your hair and hairstyles between two washes. Enhanced texture, better volume, shine, and heat protection are some of the benefits of dry shampoo. Unlike regular shampoos that need to be rinsed, dry shampoos can simply be applied to dry hair, brushed or massaged into place, and you're good to go.

How Does Dry Shampoo Work?

Overwashing your hair can often lead to a bunch of complications, be it frizz, dryness, or even hair fall. However, those with greasy hair have a different story to tell. That being said, weather, pollution, and sweat can combine to make your hair quite the mess between two washes. Understanding what is dry shampoo is and knowing what its ingredients do can make all the difference in your hair quality. These magic bottles usually contain starch, clay, or alcohol to absorb the excess oil and perspiration of your scalp. This is how a dry shampoo works to give your hair a cleaner and fresher look.

As for the formula, it depends on which type of dry shampoo you go for. Listed below are some of the types of dry shampoos you can use depending on your hair needs:

1. Spray Shampoos

These are probably the most common and convenient ones. A deep clean dry shampoo spray is pretty easy to apply and delivers an immediate touch of freshness. It can be used on all hair types but is especially best for fine hair as this type of dry shampoo adds an unmistakable volume to the hair.

2. Powder Dry Shampoos

These are ideal for people with oily hair as they can absorb the oils much more strongly than spray versions. Dry shampoos can be tinted to match your hair color and to avoid any white residue on the scalp. Another genius dry shampoo tip for dark hair is using residue-free options.

3. Paste Dry Shampoos

Now that you know what dry shampoo is, it’s time to get into everything it can do for you. When used right, a dry shampoo stands to transform the way your hair looks and feels on all days of the week.

Benefits of Dry Shampoo

• Fresh Hair

Nothing compares to how freshly washed hair makes you feel. Once you know how and when to use dry shampoo, you can relive that feeling every day. Reviving limp, greasy hair, a dry shampoo takes away the excessive oil on the scalp. This simple product can make your hair feel fresh and clean without having to step into the shower. A dry shampoo spray can be your best friend on busy mornings or when you're on the go, as it restores your hair's natural bounce while leaving it looking freshly washed with minimal effort.

• Volume

Dry shampoo enhances hair texture and creates a better grip between lengths, giving a fuller and voluminous appearance to your hair. This advantage of dry shampoo makes it perfect for fine or flat hair. Apart from adding volume to your hair, dry shampoo is a good starting point for your hair-styling routine.

• Extends Hair Styles

Dry shampoo is the ultimate lifesaver if you need to extend the life of your hairstyle. It simply absorbs oils and sweat from your hair to retain its shape, bounce, and texture longer. This gives your hairstyles a bit of extra time to live between washes and styling sessions. If a long day of work has your hair drooping, turn to your trusted dry shampoo for rescue.

• Convenient & Time-Saving

Dry shampoo is a Godsend when time is of the essence. At times, when you simply do not have access to water, or you’re travelling from the gym, from work, or heading towards a big night out, a dry shampoo saves the day. Just a few sprays are enough to undo a bad hair day, making it a classic adjunct to any hair care routine.

• Reduces Damage to Hair

At times, we simply can’t resist a thorough hair wash, turning a blind eye to all the problems caused by over-shampooing. This tricky habit can lead to dryness and frizz, completely stripping off the natural oils from your lengths. A dry shampoo keeps you from falling prey to this cycle. Keeping your hair fresh. It decreases your exposure to the negative effects of shampoo detergents and even heat styling. Learning how to use dry shampoo will help you maintain a natural moisture balance and give you healthier hair in the long term.

Difference Between Dry Shampoo & Regular Shampoo

Gone are the days when dry shampoos were an ‘optional’ step in a hair care routine. Using a dry shampoo is just as much of a necessity as your regular shampoo. While a regular shampoo thoroughly cleanses your hair by removing dirt, oil, and product buildup, dry shampoos are meant to absorb excess oil and freshen your hair without rinsing. Unlike your regular shampoo, a dry shampoo does the job without water and towels. All of these benefits make dry shampoos an excellent option for refreshing hair between washes; however, they cannot completely replace a regular shampoo in your hair care routine.

How to Use Dry Shampoo?

Learning what dry shampoo is and its benefits brings us down to the inevitable: how to use a dry shampoo. Once you’ve selected the right product for your hair type, jump into the guide on how to use dry shampoo sprays -

Shake the dry shampoo bottles to activate the ingredients.
Divide your hair into sections, exposing the greasy-looking areas.
Hold the bottle 6-8 inches away from your scalp and spray a few times onto your roots, section by section.
Allow the dry shampoo to sit for a few minutes to let the product absorb oil and impurities.
Massage the product with your fingers or brush it out evenly to release all residue.

Note: A dry shampoo is best used when your hair appears greasy or limp, usually after 1-3 days after your last wash. Whether you want a quick refresh after the gym or before the night out, spray a few pumps to recreate the feeling of freshly washed hair.

After learning everything about what dry shampoo is, your next best step is to weave it into your hair care routine at the earliest. Redken India offers a range of shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins and dry shampoo for all hair types. You can choose from a wide range of hair care, hair styling and coloring options to get started on your hair transformation journey. Take your transformation to the next level by brushing up on the expert-validated hair care tips.