Does Dry Conditioner Cause Hair Loss?'

Name: 

Ariana

Question: I read about dry shampoo causing hair loss but what about dry conditioner? Is that ok? And can I use it instead of dry shampoo? What's the difference?

Answer: Hi, Ariana. The difference between dry shampoo and dry conditioner is that dry shampoo is applied to the roots of the hair to absorb oils. Dry conditioner is applied from half way down the lengths of the hair, to the ends and is designed to add moisture back into the hair. It is similar to hair oils or serum sprays and should not be applied to the scalp.

As dry conditioner and dry shampoo do two separate jobs you cannot use one instead of the other.

Dry shampoo keeps the hair from looking greasy and can also give the roots a bit of a lift. It can also dry out the hair by leeching necessary moisture from the scalp which is what can lead to hair breakage and thinning, especially if used frequently and/or if the hair is otherwise unhealthy due to, for example, over-bleaching or use of harsh chemical perming or straightening solutions.

It is a handy styling product and using it once in a while should not harm the hair but frequent use or using it in place of regular hair washing is problematic. Besides being unhygienic, it can lead to scalp irritation and infection as well as hair loss. Dry conditioner is often simply a lightweight oil sprayed onto the ends of the hair to prevent them from drying out. As such it is far less likely to cause any scalp damage or hair thinning.