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Dry Shampoo for Curly Hair? Here Are 6 Amazing Must-Read Points

By Jacqueline Samaroo

The idea of dry shampoo for curly hair is very puzzling to many naturalistas. We know – we’ve been there, too!

We each have our own absolutely perfect, treats-my-hair-just-right natural hair care product. It might be a curl cream for one person, a leave-in conditioner for the other, and a detangler for the next. Take a good look at all of them, however, and you’ll see they all tend to have one thing in common. They use words like “moisturizing,” “hydrating,” and “non-drying.”

That’s not surprising really, since textured hair is naturally drier than other hair types. It’s what makes the thought of dry shampoo for curly hair such a paradox to many.

But, dry shampoo for African-American hair can be a great way to remove greasy buildup and refresh your curls between wash days.

Want to know more? Read on to discover some facts about dry shampoo and why dry shampoo for curly hair is definitely worth considering.

What is dry shampoo?

Dry shampoo is a kind of shampoo that is meant to reduce the amount of grease in your hair without the need for washing your hair. Dry shampoos most often contain rice starch or cornstarch. Some use talc (as in baby powder) as the absorbing material. Dry shampoos are usually sold in aerosol or powder form.

Is dry shampoo bad for your hair?

Any product can be “bad” for hair – it all depends on how you use it. When it comes to dry shampoo, you have to remember that it is not meant for everyday use. Neither is it meant as a way for you to stop washing your hair altogether.

As with any other haircare product, you should read the instructions and the ingredients list before using any dry shampoo. Yes, even if it comes recommended as the best dry shampoo for curly hair!

So, is dry shampoo good for curly hair?

We mentioned earlier that textured hair tends to be on the drier side. Some of the blame for that falls on those beautiful curls, coils, and kinks. They slow down or stop sebum (a natural, healthy, oily substance made by your scalp) as it makes its way from the root to the tip of each strand.

Sebum can build up on your scalp, along with the hair oils and other products we often use to nourish and style our natural hair. Repeated use of regular shampoos to clean the greasy buildup from your hair can leave it dry. That’s because some shampoos contain sulfates which are notorious for stripping natural oils from your hair and scalp.

Dry shampoo for natural curly hair can get rid of the greasy build up without the use of harsh, potentially dangerous, ingredients.

BTW: Be sure to check out our article: 7 Great Sulfate-Free Shampoos for Your Naturally Curly Hair.

How to use dry shampoo for Black hair

The first thing to remember about using dry shampoo for textured hair is to focus on spraying the powder on your scalp. Some persons also spray their hair but this isn’t usually advised. The dry shampoo will get a chance to work on your strands when you are brushing it out.

Here are five steps for using dry shampoo:

1. Give the can a good shake.
2. Hold the can about six inches from your scalp.
3. Spray.
4. Massage the powder into your scalp and let it sit for a few minutes.
5. Brush and style your hair as usual.

When should you use dry shampoo?

There are many times when being able to reach for your dry shampoo can be pretty darn convenient. Here are a few examples:

• As a mid-week pick-me-up for your curls. Use dry shampoo between regular wet washings of your hair. You can also use it in instances where you have to delay your wash day for whatever reason and you still want to give your hair a refreshed and revived look.
• 
• After a sweaty workout. Dry shampoo helps you maintain an active lifestyle AND your natural hair without having to worry about wet washing your hair too often. Simply allow your hair to dry before applying the dry shampoo. You should see really good results, instead of limp, lifeless hair.
• On braids and other protective styles. Oiling your scalp helps to keep it moisturized when you’re wearing braids. It’s one of the ways to keep your hair healthy while it is in a protective style. Dry shampoo is a convenient way to remove the built-up grease, from time to time, without actually washing your hair.
• For a night out after work. An evening of fun after putting in a hard day of work can be exhilarating. But, realizing the gorgeous hairstyle you had this morning is now all flat and weighed down can be a real bummer. Dry shampoo can help. Apart from oil removal, it also helps to add body and volume to your hair as you rub it in then brush it out.

Common mistakes when using dry shampoo on African-American hair

No natural haircare product is foolproof. Quite a bit of trial-and-error goes into perfecting the technique for ensuring you get great results – every time!

Here are some mistakes we often make when using dry shampoo on natural hair.

• Holding the can too close to your scalp and spraying for too long.
• Not massaging the powder into your scalp.
• Brushing out the powder too soon – before it has had the chance to absorb the oils.
• Using dry shampoo too often between wet washings.
• Not using the right dry shampoo for dark hair. The wrong one can leave very noticeable specks on your tresses – NOT what we are after!

Note: It is often said you should not use dry shampoo of wet hair. HOWEVER, dry shampoo on slightly damp hair can have a mousse-like effect, adding extra body to your curls without too much hold.

Do you use dry shampoo? What are the results like? Tell us!

 

* This article was originally published here