Can Dry Shampoo Cause An Itchy Scalp?

Dry shampoos are priceless when it comes to maintaining an ever-appealing hair appearance. They are a quick fix to our hair when it is due for a wash, and you should be on the go. 

Moreover, some conditions, such as being ill, and camping among others, can make scrubbing your hair impossible. Dry shampoos help remove unpleasant odors and restore the shine of your hair in a moment.

Notwithstanding, this haircare product can have some visible side effects when used or excessively utilized. That raises the question, “can dry shampoo cause an itchy scalp?” 

The answer is a yes, so knowing why it causes itching and what to do is crucial to keep using dry shampoo. Thankfully, you’ll learn all about these in only a few minutes as you read on.

How Do I Know I Have An Itchy Scalp From Using Dry Shampoo?

You can deduce your dry shampoo is responsible for your itchy scalps if the problem commenced after you began using it. 

However, there are certain things you would also notice if you are not just having an occasional tingling. These include:

• Dry skin
• Patches void of hair
• Irritations on the skin
• Swelling on the scalp
• Sores with pus within

Should you notice any of this or a combination after commencing use of your dry shampoo, there is a probability that it is responsible.

How Can Dry Shampoos Cause An Itchy Scalp?

There are several reasons dry shampoo may cause your scalp to itch. These include a wrong choice of product and incorrect usage.

Wrong Choice of Product

Although there are several dry shampoos from different manufacturers in the stores, you can’t afford to pick one at random.

Some users of dry shampoo may be allergic to certain ingredients of the cosmetic. According to research, the most common allergens you would find in dry shampoos include artificial fragrance, Cocamidopropyl betaine, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and formaldehyde releasers. 

Others are propylene glycol, vitamin E, parabens, and benzophenones. 

Although these chemicals have their usefulness, their side effects make them notorious to some skin types. 

For example, parabens are crucial in extending the shelf life of a product. Nevertheless, its side effects on the skin include itching, bumps, and blisters, among others.

Wrong Usage

The wrong usage of dry shampoo can occur at the stage of application and post-application.

Abuse during application

Many do not know that dry shampoos are not for the scalp but the hair. Hence, by wrong application, they deposit most of its content directly on the scalp.

Although it is impossible to prevent your scalp from getting doused in powdery shampoo, the correct application can limit it.

The canister of your product should not be too close to your head while spraying. Aim at your hair and not the scalp.

After spraying, use your fingers to evenly distribute it around your hair till it reaches the roots. By doing this, less of the substance gets to the scalp, preventing the excessive presence of powder.

In addition, using dry shampoo on moist hair and scalp will certainly cause much of it to stick to the surface. Consequently, that increases the chances of clogging your hair follicles, and itching isn’t far away.

Ultimately, people with medical problems or scalp risk having itchy scalp by using a dry shampoo. Such people must speak to their dermatologist to ask if they are cleared to use this cosmetic product.

Post-application abuse

The temptation to go many days without going for a wash accompanies the purchase of dry shampoos. While some products promise that you can go for several days without a hair scrub, dermatologists wouldn’t advise you to do so.

The medical recommendation is that dry shampoos should not exceed two days of continuous use. Want to know why?

Dry shampoos do not clean your hair as many suppose them to do. Instead, they work by providing absorbents to absorb serum secreted by your hair to make it less oily.

In essence, the purpose of dry shampoo is to keep your hair dry. While it is at it, the specks of dirt in your hair or on your scalp do not leave.

You will be surprised that the absorbents, usually powder, add up to what makes your hair dirty in the long run. Together with other micro materials, they end up clogging your pores, resulting in diverse scalp blemishes.

Moreover, don’t forget that dry shampoos do not remove the oil from the scalp but hold them in the absorbents. According to doctors from the Mayo clinic, the prolonged presence of serum on your head can cause dandruff.

Unsurprisingly, the natural starch that some products use as dryers can also provide a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi if left for long. Allowing the powdery shampoo on your scalp for too long is an invitation for microbial attacks.

How Can I Avoid An Itchy Scalp Using Dry Shampoo?

There is no denying that using dry shampoo opens the possibility of scalp problems such as itchy scalp. But that doesn’t mean you should stop using it altogether.

The following are safe ways of avoiding itchy scalp while using a dry shampoo.

Choose wisely

There are several brands of dry shampoos available in the stores. Your selection will be a decider if you’ll be dealing with itchy hair after purchase or not.

Dry shampoos that use natural ingredients pose a lesser threat to your scalp than the chemically constituted ones. For example, some shampoos use natural dryers like activated charcoal, clay, and cereal starches which have negligible impact on the hair.

On the other hand, silicon is an effective absorbent but can be quite a task getting it off your hair when washing it. Besides, silicon buildup in your hair can cause your hair to appear dull and even break.

Also, some of these dry shampoos have compositions that are known allergens. While it may receive positive reviews from some users, it doesn’t mean it would work for you.

Consequently, you may need to thoroughly inspect the ingredients list to identify what makes up the dry shampoo before pulling out your wallet. Avoiding those with your known allergens is best.

Brush or Comb Hair Regularly 

Surfactants in dry shampoos only round up the grease but remain on the scalp. Most often than not, they have little or no advantage remaining there.

You only need to remember that dry shampoos are principally functional, and their health contribution to your scalp is minimal. Run a comb through your hair to get rid of both the absorbent and what it holds.

Combing or brushing the hair helps remove the dry shampoo from your hair after it has accomplished its functions. Doing this will help you maintain that clean look without endangering your scalp.

Don’t forget to scrub

Using dry shampoo is no substitute for washing your hair. Despite the combing and brushing, you can’t get all of the content out of your hair.

Much of the dry shampoo will remain in your hair, leading to buildup on your scalp. The result will be clogged hair follicles which may result in several problems, including itchy scalp.

Washing your hair remains the best way to get dirt and residues out of your hair and clean your scalp. So, wash your hair at least twice a week for optimum health.

Remember your scalp is skin

Although it is obvious that your scalp is like any other skin on the body, we tend to forget that it demands regular care as any other. While you don’t have to wash it several times a day like your face, there should be a consciousness of keeping it healthy.

One of the ways to do this is by scheduling a time to visit the salon for some hair and scalp treatment.

Doing this won’t only keep itching at bay, but also help you grow healthy hair. After all, it is a medical fact that your scalp’s health would affect the type  and quality of hair that you would have

Bottom Line

Keeping your scalp healthy is the only way to avoid itching. We must never forget that dry shampoos are more about giving the hair some appeal rather than taking care of the scalp.

The choice of product is crucial to your scalp health. Meanwhile, regardless of your dry shampoo choice, you must not use it too frequently.

You should adhere to the prescription of using the shampoo not more than two days consecutively before scrubbing it. That is the only way of completely taking off the residues of your dry shampoo before it becomes hazardous to your scalp.

Above all, be moderate in the use of dry shampoos. Know when to give your hair and, by extension, your scalp a respite.