As a man with fairly short hair, washing mine is no big deal. However, there are a lot of people out there who have a harder time with it. When you're in a rush to get ready - or you simply want to use your time on other things - having to deal with long soaking wet hair after washing can be a huge nuisance.
So the idea of dry shampoo sounds incredible, doesn't it? With just a can and no water necessary, you can keep your hair clean without having to deal with the annoyance... at least, that's what Nicole thought. It wasn't long before she vowed to never use it again.
In a Facebook post, she told her story, which is pretty horrific when you think about it. First, she noticed that there was a bald patch in her hair, and it was growing - so she rushed straight to the doctor.
"My scalp was also very itchy and flaky," she wrote. "I had wee red sores and blisters all over my scalp and a terrible burning sensation all over my head- to the point where I would wake up several times a night due to the discomfort/pain."
In this initial appointment, she was diagnosed with Triangular Alopecia (loss of hair in one area), and was referred for a scalp biopsy. It's when discussing her recent hair routine with the doctor that the truth came out:
"The doctor asked had I anything on my hair at the minute, I said just dry shampoo. So she advised when I come back for the scalp biopsy to come with nothing in my hair and to make sure it was clean. I thought it was weird she said that, it's only dry shampoo what's that got to do with it?"
Over the next two months she stopped using dry shampoo entirely, and soon found that the health of her hair greatly improved. So now she has offered a warning to those looking for a quick fix:
"Dry shampoo caused me to now have this bald patch on my head (which I still have and it may or may not grow back, but nothing can be done) and a terrible scalp for ages.
"Just wash your hair people! It is not worth having this awful patch that I might be stuck with on the side of my head all because I can’t be arsed to dry my hair."
Unfortunately, despite the fact her scalp was returned to a healthy condition, the bald patch didn't entirely go away - and she's not even sure if it will ever completely come back. "It is not worth having this awful patch that I might be stuck with on the side of my head all because I can't be bothered to dry my hair," she told Cosmopolitan.
It is believed that dry shampoo can desposit substances that coat the root of your hair - after multiple uses they can build up and weaken the roots of your hair. This could lead to increased shedding, hairs clumping together, and hair loss.
Most experts believe dry shampoo can be used safely, but it is advised that you don't do it every day - and washing your hair normally will allow your scalp to recover properly.