How To Use Dry Shampoo – The Ultimate Dry Shampoo FAQ

Think of dry shampoo as your secret hair maintenance weapon – they’re best used between wet washes, typically when you need fabulous hair but don’t have time for a shower, or access to one. Our scalps naturally accumulate dust, dirt, and oil over time, and natural dry shampoo helps to clean all this away while adding some volume and even a light fragrance to your hair.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of dry shampoo brands duking it out today, and each offers something different. Some you apply by hand, others are a spray – and that’s before you get to the world of fragrances!

Ultimately, what works best for you depends on what your own preferences are. We recommend only buying from reputable brands like L'Oréal Paris or Strandatory only, as quality and standards can vary across the marketplace.

If you don’t want to use a commercially-prepared dry shampoo, you can create your own (check out this list of our favourite DIY dry shampoo recipes!) at home.

While talcum powder is great for sucking up unwanted grease in your hair, the white powder can leave you with another problem: a fine, powdery residue that passes more than a slight resemblance to dandruff! Also, you will actually smell like you have baby powder in your hair. Dry shampoo uses other ingredients to avoid this – and offer extra benefits to your hair health.

This can happen – but only if you switch to using dry shampoo exclusively because of the build-up, brushing will become harder and your hair can break.

Dry shampoo isn’t meant to be a replacement for a full lather and rinse with a wet shampoo, just a booster in between washes. At Strandatory, we recommend cutting down on dry shampoo usage if you notice that your hair is thinning.

As with all things in life, moderation is key. Dry shampoo is designed to offer you a quick cleaning option when you can’t give it the full attention it deserves. Used per guidelines, it will not harm your hair. If you do decide to switch exclusively to dry shampoo, you will be neglecting your hair health, and this could lead to issues.

In a nutshell, yes! Dry shampoo is made from natural ingredients, unlike commercial shampoos, which are often packed with chemicals and residues. These natural ingredients work to pull out the excess oil and dirt from your scalp while giving your hair that extra bit of volume and body.

Not at all! In fact, many people apply dry shampoo before bedtime if they won’t have time to properly wash their hair in the morning, as it gives the formula more time to absorb hair grease. Simply brush and style in the morning, and you’re ready to go!

Dry shampoos do not cause hair loss – if you do find yourself suffering from this issue, the best thing to do is to consult a trichologist (hair specialist) or dermatologist to get professional medical diagnosis and treatment.

There are plenty of people who dye their hair and use dry shampoo and if you get on in a shade of your hair, it will be more invisible. Just make sure you have completely rinsed and blow dried your hair after dying, as the ingredients can interact chemically with each other if you still have dye in your hair, to prevent your hair dye from taking on its usual appearance. If you have a lot of dry shampoo in your hair prior to dyeing we recommend washing your hair first.

Dry shampoo can build up on your scalp over time, but you can easily eliminate this by using your favourite clarifying shampoo and conditioner.

If you’d rather stay au naturel, you can use the following household products to zap the build up:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Baking soda

This does depend on your hair type. For instance, if you have dry hair, daily shampoo washing can remove your natural essential oils, leading to even more issues. With that said, a quick rinse with water won’t harm your hair. If you have oily hair that needs daily attention, dry shampoo allows you to remove the excess oil between wet washes, giving you great hair every day in just a few minutes!

These days, many products on the market can help you with a regular haircare maintenance schedule, and many of them are natural. These include:

• Dry shampoos
• Apple cider vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Baking soda

Got a busy day coming up and little time to prepare in the morning? Applying dry shampoo the night before gives the formula plenty of time to get to work on nourishing your scalp – and also pulling out grease. While we wouldn’t recommend doing this every night, this is a great strategy if you’re in a time pinch.

Yes, dry shampoo was designed to solve this problem quickly and efficiently. Not only will dry shampoo suck excess grease and oils from your hair, but they will also cleanse your scalp of environmental impurities, giving you a refreshing feel and a ‘just washed’ look.

At Strandatory, we recommend using dry shampoo no more than twice between each wet wash. If your hair gets dirty, greasy, and oily often, then it’s a good idea to increase your wet wash schedule.

Dry shampoo is there to refresh your hair when you can’t quite make it to a shower, so this is an unusual application! You may want to switch wet wash shampoos if your hair and scalp don’t feel fully refreshed post-shower. Otherwise, if you want to continue this regime, let your hair dry first because dry shampoos are not designed to work on wet hair.

Yes, it is. Dry shampoos are meant to be a part of your normal hair care regime, which should include wet washes. They are not intended to be used every day and doing so could give your scalp problems. If you follow the usage guidelines, then you will not face such issues.

While these two things seem like they’re the same, they’re not. Wet washes offer benefits that dry shampoo can’t, and vice versa. For a deep clean, nothing can beat a lather and rinse with a wet wash shampoo – and for those times when you need to refresh your hair quickly, there’s no easier alternative than dry shampoo.

There are dry shampoos for just about every hair colour and type these days and offer significant benefits when used according to the guidelines. They are safe to use, and can help you to look fabulous, no matter what – so yes, we think you should! (Check out Everything About Natural Dry Shampoo to know more about Natural Dry Shampoo.)

Getting hot and sweaty at a gym means a shower is pretty much top of the to-do list for all of us when a session’s over – but that doesn’t mean you need to wash your hair every time! If your hair feels greasy after a workout, dry shampoo is a fast, convenient way to look as amazing as you feel.

No, you won’t – this is one of those myths that people love to share! With that said, a daily wash isn’t the best idea either. While you won’t lose your locks, you will be removing your hair’s natural essential oils – which can lead to painful scalp infections.

This answer varies for everyone because it depends on your hair type. In most cases, we would say twice a week is enough, with the occasional third for emergency situations. If you consistently find yourself using dry shampoo more than four times a week, we strongly recommend that you rinse your hair every second day to prevent build up.

You might think you’re doing the right thing – but unfortunately, your scalp won’t be thanking you as it is repeatedly being stripped of essential oils. These oils protect your hair and provide nourishment – without them, you risk itchy scalp infections and worse.

Dry shampoo pulls out dust, dirt, and excess oil from your hair and scalp, but it does not offer the full cleanse of a regular wet wash shampoo. It’s intended to be used between washes to refresh your hair, not to replace your regular hair care routine.

You bet it can! Some dry shampoos are packed with natural essential oils, and their light fragrance can add a lovely scent to your hair that won’t overpower your typical daily fragrance.

This depends on your hair type. There are many different brands out there to cater for all styles of hair, and you should be looking for those which use natural ingredients. It’s recommended to use reputable and reliable stores like Strandatory, as then you can be sure you’re getting a carefully formulated and tested dry shampoo. (Check out What's the best Dry Shampoo in Australia? )

You don’t “wash” your hair with dry shampoo – that’s the job of a wet wash! Instead, dry shampoo offers a cleaning experience that requires no water. Simply add dry shampoo to your dry hair, wait a few moments, then brush it out and style. No need to add water!

Are you looking for a clean scalp, a refreshed feeling, easy styling, and extra volume? If so, dry shampoo is great for your hair, especially when you’re in a situation where you want to look your best – but you don’t have time for a proper shower. (Check out Is dry shampoo good for hair? to know more.)

If you don’t follow the usage guidelines for dry shampoo, then yes, you do risk damaging your hair. The most common damage comes from using dry shampoos too often, or not applying it correctly. Strandatory dry shampoo has full guidelines on usage, and you can always reach out to us if you need more guidance!

No specific time is ‘best’ for dry shampoo usage. While dry shampoo shouldn’t replace your regular wet wash shampoo haircare regime, it is an excellent way to combat hair that feels oily or greasy when you don’t have time for a shower.

If your hair doesn’t get dirty very often, then washing it just once a week is fine – and even a good idea, as it protects your scalp’s essential oils. Dry shampoo can help you to feel clean and give your hair a little boost, but you shouldn’t use it more than twice a week.

Yes, just using a little water on your hair daily is absolutely fine! Problems arise when you use wet wash shampoo daily, as this can lead to a dry scalp. Don’t forget, you can use dry shampoo on dry hair to clean it between wet washes!

Natural dry shampoo won’t change your normal hair colour – but check the labelling, because not all dry shampoos are made equal. Some dry shampoos contain harmful chemicals, which may affect the colour of your hair, especially if you use hair dye.

Baking soda isn’t just good for making delicious cookies – it’s also renowned as a hair and scalp rejuvenator that cleans away impurities, leaving you feeling clean and fresh. There is also some evidence that baking soda can help your hair grow when used with other dry shampoo ingredients, too.

Dry shampoo will never cause dandruff. The reason some people think it does is because some dry shampoos leave a powdery residue – which you can easily remove with a hairbrush. If you do suffer from dandruff, you should consult a trichologist or a dermatologist, as dandruff is associated with scalp health issues.

No, dry shampoo doesn’t dry out your hair; its job is to remove the excess build up of oil, grease, dirt, dust, and sweat that accumulates over time while leaving your natural essential oils intact. On the other hand, excess wet wash shampoo can dry out your hair as it removes these essential oils – which nourish and protect your hair.

Dry shampoo doesn’t thicken hair, but it does add volume and make styling easier – the effect comes from temporary air that is added during the process, and this can also add some texture.

Used correctly, dry shampoo won’t clog your hair follicles. However, if you don’t brush it off correctly, then the particles can block your hair follicles. The simplest way to avoid this issue is to brush your hair well after each dry shampoo session.

Yes, you can! In fact, this is the best time to dry shampoo if you use hair dye. You should never dye your hair when it has dry shampoo on it, as the chemicals can interact and interfere with one another, affecting your final colouring. Always make sure your hair is clean and free of dry shampoo before applying hair dye, and you’ll get fantastic results, every time!         

Phew – that sure is a lot of questions! If you didn’t see yours answered, don’t forget that you can contact us directly for professional assistance. We understand that dry shampoo can be confusing if you’re just starting out, so ask the experts!