Every protective hairstyle needs different kinds of care. Locs or dreadlocks or dreads are no exception. Dreadlocks are rope-like strands of hair set up by locking or braiding hair. The style is unique and versatile. Locs can sometimes develop organically when a person refrains from combing or brushing their hair.
Dry shampoo is a temporary replacement for washing one’s hair. On busy days, it’s a convenient solution. But is dry shampoo suitable for dreadlocks? This is a difficult question because oftentimes it is not recommended on locs. This is mainly because dry shampoo sometimes leaves white residues behind. But a few are made especially to fit this particular hairstyle.
Our Picks Of 10 Best Dry Shampoo For Locs:
1. OGX Extra Strength Dry Shampoo
OGX Extra Strength Dry Shampoo is made with coconut, tiare essence, & vanilla bean extract. It absorbs oil, extends your style, & revives your strands. Your limp locks are long forgotten, replaced by silky-soft perfection.
OGX extra strength dry shampoo doesn’t aim to make the hair look picture-perfect. It instead makes your natural hair look fuller, bouncier, and smell nicer.
OGX caters to all the nutritional needs of your hair, whether it’s moisture for curly hair, protection for color-treated hair, blowout cream, or matte pomade. OGX dry shampoo ensures to bring out the best in you for every type of hair. It’s paraben-free as well as sulfate surfactant-free.
2. ORS Herbal Cleanse Hair and Scalp Dry Shampoo
ORS Herbal Cleanse Hair and Scalp Dry Shampoo is an organic dry shampoo that refreshes hair and scalp between regular washes.
This one is especially ideal for people starting locs and wearing braids. Formulated with lavender oil and sweet basil, ORS herbal cleanse eliminates odors and helps alleviate itching.
If you want an option that can soothe, refresh and cleanse the hair and the scalp, this one is for you. Alternative to shampooing, this also extends your hairstyle.
It not only refreshes hair but also gets rid of dandruff.
Apply it by taking a generous amount of the product, putting it directly onto your scalp, and massaging on.
3. OGX Bodifying Bamboo Fiber-Full Body Renew Dry Shampoo
OGX Bodifying Bamboo Fiber is made with the blending of bamboo fibers & plant collagen. The OGX Bamboo Fiber Full consists of a hair spray, tousle spray, mousse, and dry shampoo.
The dry shampoo freshens & beautifies strands to add more volume to second or third-day hair. It locks in the volume and body of your hair with a super-strong hold that lasts. It helps create full, textured, voluptuous locks that look and smell the best.
Like OGX Extra strength, OGX Bodifying Bamboo also aims to make your hair look fuller and more naturally healthier than picture-perfect. The product is also derived from sulfate & inspired by nature. If you’re used to putting high-end hair products on the hair, you can switch to OGX with ease.
4. OGX Refresh Revitalize Extra Strength
OGX Refresh Revitalize Extra Strength is infused with argan oil from Morocco & silk proteins that absorb grease. This dry shampoo adds texture to your hairstyles and keeps them looking fresh between washes.
It gives limp locks a light and luxurious texture & silky-soft finish. Striving to give your hair a natural look and not just perfection, OGX caters to all hair types accordingly.
This product is fitted for hair of any type and style and brings nutrition accordingly. OGX always strives to give your natural hair the push it deserves to look its best.
5. Act+Acre Plant-Based
Act+Acre Plant-Based dry shampoo absorbs oil, odor, and impurities to refresh hair, boost volume, and enhance texture. It is unlike traditional dry shampoos that are made with chalky powder clogging up hair follicles.
This dry shampoo doesn’t irritate the scalp but rather detoxifies and nourishes it. It is formulated with six multi-functional ingredients. It refreshes hair and delivers nutrients to the scalp.
The featured fulvic acid has over 65 minerals directly into the follicle to restore the microbiome. There are absolutely no toxins in this product. It is suitable for all hair types, whether light or dark. It blends effortlessly with thin, thick, or textured hair and is recommended for women and men alike.
6. Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo for Locs
Redken Deep Clean dry shampoo offers maximum oil absorption for a clean feel for all hair types, especially for dreadlocks.
The shampoo gives a refreshed look long after wash day. The rice and tapioca starch fight of greasiness of the days, giving hair a cleaner look even on the 3rd & 4th day.
Just hold the can 6-8 inches away and spray the dry shampoo onto the oiliest parts at the root and throughout the hair.
Use it by shaking the can well beforehand, then hold it about 6-8 inches away from the hair, and then spray it on the oiliest parts of the hair at the root.
7. Puracy Dry Shampoo
Puracy Dry Shampoo gives you a cleaner and healthier scalp. It refreshes and restyles your hair on a busy day. This plant-based dry shampoo absorbs sweat and oil and also leaves the scalp moisturized. It’s Silicone-free, hypoallergenic & vegan.
The formula of this product is powered with antioxidants and nourishing ingredients that prevent impurities that may lead to irritation, breakouts, and flaking.
The product is engineered to be safe and gentle for all hair types, colors, and styles. It has a soft matte finish and leaves a delicate smell behind. The microfine formula gives the hair lift and texture that it needs.
The mix of plant extracts and essential oils, aloe and oat extracts subdues and strengthens the skin barrier, green tea combats free radical damage, and rice starch absorbs excess hair sebum.
8. HASK Dry Shampoo Kits for all hair types
HASK dry shampoo for all hair types rids your scalp of excess grime. The lightweight formula extends the life of your style between washes. The charcoal derived from coconut shells in the Philippines gives it a fresh citrus smell.
To apply it, just shake the can in between usage, hold it 6-10 inches away, section off the hair, and spray onto the roots. After 30 seconds, brush through or massage and style as you go.
9. Authentic Beauty Concept
Authentic Beauty Concept’s lightweight texturizing refreshes every hairstyle. This powder spray is formulated with natural, biodegradable Rice Starch, which gives it a moldable texture and refreshing style.
Its performance is driven by vegan formulas free from microplastics, mineral oil, parabens, or silicones.
To apply it, shake the can well & spray eight in. distance from the scalp on dry hair. Use it in short bursts. Tousle with fingers to achieve your preferred look.
10. Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo for Any Hair
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo is fit for all and any hairstyle. It is the closes to washing your hair without washing your hair with water.
It’s a talc-free, true dry cleanser that absorbs oil and refreshes hair with natural rice starch.
It gets rid of buildups and odor without leaving any residue behind. This product adds volume to your locks and leaves them looking cleaner than ever.
Is Dry Shampoo Good for Locs?
There are a lot of dry shampoos that are meant for every type of hair and hairstyle. But the question remains, is dry shampoo suitable for locs?
Unfortunately, it is not recommended to use dry shampoo on dreadlocks or locs.
Dry shampoo often leaves its residues behind and clumps together the oils in your hair. People with conventional hairstyles can easily comb off these dust-like residues and get rid of them. But this is not the case with dreadlocks. With locs, you can’t comb through it, so you would naturally experience a lot of buildups.
However, a few suggested ones don’t leave residue behind due to them being lightweight. Those can be used cautiously on hair with locs.
How Do You Use Dry Shampoo on Starter Locs?
Starter locs, also known as “baby locs,” are the first stage of the dreadlocks process. The initial loc phase typically lasts between three to six months. It all depends on each unique hair type or the speed at which the hair grows.
Dry shampoo can re-moisturize the scalp and give the hair a refreshed look on starter locs. As dry shampoo is rarely recommended for locs, using one made specifically for locs is the safest way to do it.
It is recommended to use dark-toned sprays if your hair is dark and light-toned ones if your hair is light. So if there are any residues left behind, they are harder to see. It is not recommended to use dry shampoo a lot on starter locs. It would be helpful if you only used it in case of extreme needs.
To apply the dry shampoo:
- Make sure you shake the bottle well before using it.
- Start by sectioning off your hair.
- Spray it onto the roots while your hair is dry.
- Use your fingers to brush through or massage it onto your scalp and style it how you want it.
What can I use for dry scalp with dreads?
A lot of us suffer from dry scalps. And this dryness of the scalp leads to hair being itchy. It is mainly an issue if you have dreadlocks. So now, what can you use for dry scalp with dreads?
You can use a clarifying shampoo. A clarifying shampoo is one of the best ways to prevent product buildup in your hair. The OOLI Beauty Clarify Your Mane Shampoo, a shampoo made for locs, can help effectively cleanse your locs without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Another option is to use an Astringent. An Astringent removes excess oils, skin, and buildup from the scalp. It’s an anti-buildup solution made with sea salt, apple cider vinegar, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, witch hazel, eucalyptus oil, and rose water that cleanses without getting rid of any moisture from the scalp.
Does dry shampoo Lift roots?
Some of you might have a question: Does dry shampoo lift roots?
The answer to that is yes, it does.
Many dry shampoos give the hair texture and volume without being sticky, which allows the root to stand up a bit or lift a bit.
Final Words
Dreadlocks have always been worn as a symbol or a statement. Sometimes it symbolizes a deep spirituality; sometimes, it symbolizes letting go of worldly ideals. And sometimes, it can also stand for a political stance. No matter what they symbolize, locs have been seen as an essential lifestyle for a long time.
Taking care of locs with dry shampoo usually is not recommended. But the suggested ones stated in this article are some that work wonders on it. If you have to use a dry shampoo on your locs, make sure you pay extra caution to it and consult a loctician beforehand.
