You Should Never, Ever Use Dry Shampoo As A Substitute For Washing Your Hair — Here’s Why

The first thing that happens is product buildup in the scalp, which eventually blocks the hair follicles and slows down the hair growth cycle. You may think this isn’t too important, but in reality, halting hair growth can lead to issues such as hair loss, breakage, and dryness. 

“People who don’t wash their hair enough [and overuse dry shampoo] can clog the follicles, which can cause hair loss,” said Friese.

Overuse is relative to the oiliness of your scalp, your hair type and thickness; “The finer the hair, the more quickly it tends to become oily, because its flat cuticle layers don’t absorb oil as effectively, allowing sebum to sit on the surface. In contrast, curly and coily hair, which is naturally drier due to its more lifted cuticle structure, absorbs oil more efficiently and typically doesn’t require dry shampoo as often,” said Hallajian.

If you have scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff or excessive dryness, you should avoid dry shampoo altogether, as it can exacerbate these issues, she added.

“If you use it too often and don’t wash your scalp regularly, it can lead to buildup, which might clog pores and irritate your scalp,” explained Laura Polko, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Laura Polko Los Angeles. “That’s where the rumor of it being really bad for you came from. So, it’s totally fine to use dry shampoo when you need it, just don’t rely on it as a substitute for washing your hair.”

So, what happens when you leave dry shampoo on overnight?