Dry shampoo is a lifesaver for those of us who cannot wash our hair every day.
Studies have also shown that it is more beneficial to your hair to skip daily washes to keep some of the natural oils present on your scalp.
However, while dry shampoo can keep your hair looking fresh in between washes, it can also hinder any color treatments you wish to apply.
Essentially, dry shampoo absorbs excess scalp oil while adding texture to your hair.
It is meant to be added to dry hair and worked in with your fingers or a brush to fully absorb into your strands.
Especially if you use dry shampoo frequently, it can cause a buildup on your scalp.
Can you dye your hair if it contains dry shampoo?
Although dry shampoo is meant to refresh your hair between washes, it is not ideal to leave any product residue in your hair before you color-treat it.
Whether you are looking to bleach your hair, color your roots, or dye your entire head, ensuring the scalp is free of dry shampoo buildup will help your hair color be applied evenly and thoroughly, and last in the hair for the anticipated amount of time.
Below, we discuss what dry shampoo is, the best ways to color your hair, and how to use dry shampoo with your color-treated tresses.
What Is Dry Shampoo?
Dry shampoo is a hair product that helps absorb scalp and root oils between washes.
It primarily absorbs any grease or sweat in the hair, whether from natural oil production, daily styling, workouts, or other daily activities.
Dry shampoo also helps refresh the hair and add more texture and volume.
Dry shampoo is intended for use on dry hair and does not require washing out after application.
It is typically applied to the scalp, the crown of the head, and the hair roots, where most oil is present, to allow it to thoroughly soak into the hair.
It is made with a combined list of ingredients that typically include alcohol and starches, such as cornstarch, to effectively soak up excess oils, dirt, and grease.
Dry shampoo helps keep hair looking fresh and clean between washes, especially for those with oily scalps. It also works to create volume and texture for those with fine or limp hair.
Can You Dye Your Hair With Dry Shampoo In It?
When you want to color your hair, whether at home or in the salon, it is best to apply the hair dye or bleach onto clean hair.
It is best to avoid using dry shampoo for the two days preceding your hair color treatment.
It is also best to ensure the hair is free of any product buildup before applying the hair dye or bleach.
Dry shampoo can create a barrier that prevents the hair from fully absorbing the hair dye, leading to an uneven application of color.
The buildup of product from multiple uses can also interfere with the dye’s absorption into the hair.
Many dry shampoos also contain wax, which can create a barrier that prevents the hair dye from properly adhering to the hair strands.
It can also prevent the hair dye or bleach from penetrating into the hair shaft deeply or at all.
If the hair dye cannot adhere to the hair well or even penetrate the hair shaft, it can cause patchiness when the color is rinsed out.
Dry shampoo and product buildup can also interfere with the color pigment of the dye.
It can often make the pigment appear lighter in the hair, affecting your desired color outcome.
The various ingredients in each of the products, hair dye and dry shampoo, also have the potential to react adversely when mixed together.
If the ingredients do not mix well, they can cause further damage to the hair, especially when used in conjunction with bleach.
It can also cause potential irritation or adverse reactions on the scalp.
Best Methods For Dyeing Your Hair
If you are applying at-home hair dye or going to the salon for a professional color treatment, it is best to wash your hair 24 to 48 hours prior to your appointment.
Especially if you have used dry shampoo in the interim since your last wash, it is essential to remove all the product buildup before coloring your hair.
Washing your hair a day or two before your color treatment will allow the scalp to produce its own natural oils by then, which can help to comfort the scalp when the hair dye is applied.
You want to add the hair dye or bleach to dry hair.
It is best to section the hair first before applying any hair color, creating smaller sections to work with and ensuring every strand is properly coated.
If you are coloring your hair at home, it’s helpful to buy extra hair dye, especially if you have long or textured hair, to ensure you have enough to thoroughly cover your hair.
Many at-home kits come with the required accessories to color your hair, but it is essential to ensure you have the proper tools to apply the dye or bleach precisely to the desired sections.
A small brush, rubber gloves, and an application bottle are all crucial pieces for dyeing your hair quickly, easily, and mess-free.
Before applying hair color, detangle each section to ensure the color is applied evenly.
The ends of the hair are more porous and can absorb color more quickly, so it’s best to start at the roots and work your way down the hair shaft to create a seamless color application.
After the hair dye is thoroughly applied, leave the hair down for the required time for the dye to set.
This helps avoid any patchiness or unevenness that can occur when twisting the hair into a tight bun, allowing the color to set.
It is also helpful to apply lotion or Vaseline to the hairline at the start of the application to help prevent the hair dye from staining the skin.
Once the dye has been left on the hair for the required time, rinse and style the hair with color-protecting products afterward.
When To Use Dry Shampoo with Color-Treated Hair
If you have color-treated hair, you can still use dry shampoo.
However, if you plan to have a fresh application of color, it’s best to avoid using the product for a few days beforehand.
Dry shampoo should not affect or fade your hair color after application and during the time between touch-up appointments.
There are many different types of dry shampoos to consider, and depending on your hair color, you can look for a product tinted to match.
Tinted dry shampoos work especially well for those with darker hair, as they help prevent the white cast that can sometimes appear with traditional dry shampoos.
As with any hair product, it’s essential to choose the right dry shampoo for your hair type and texture.
If you have textured or dry hair, look for dry shampoos that can add moisture to your strands, as bleaching or dyeing can be drying.
When applying dry shampoo, part the hair into sections to spray the product as close to the roots as possible.
After applying the dry shampoo, let it sit on the scalp for a few minutes to fully absorb excess oil.
After several minutes, you can massage the remaining product into your hair with your fingers or comb it through with a brush to evenly distribute it.
While dry shampoos can help keep hair looking fresh between washes, they are not meant to replace deep-cleaning shampoos, and any product buildup should be washed out regularly.
Conclusion
Overall, dry shampoo is a valuable and helpful product to keep in our hair care routine.
While washing the hair every day can be potentially harmful and drying to our tresses, dry shampoo can give the appearance of a just-washed head of hair.
However, as helpful as the product can be, it can also be a hindrance when you want to apply a hair color treatment.
To achieve optimal hair dye application during your color treatments, ensure the scalp is completely free of product residue, especially dry shampoo buildup, for an even, thorough application.
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