Some of the most common hair drying techniques are actually damaging your hair. Many women make seemingly harmless choices regarding hair drying, such as blow-drying hair straight or using a rough hair drying towel. They don’t realize they are actually causing more breakage and frizziness than is necessary and end up with damaged and unhealthy hair.
In this article, we discuss the potential harms of choosing to blow dry hair vs. choosing to air dry hair. We also discuss choosing the right hair drying towel. Continue reading to find out how to keep your hair as healthy as possible when it comes to drying.
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Blow Drying Hair
When it comes to hair drying, blowing natural hair can have damaging results, especially when your hair is too wet. The damage occurs because water builds up under the outer layer of your hair strands. When you use heat, it causes the water to bubble, which puts strain on the structure of your hair, resulting in breakage.
Your hair is at its most vulnerable while wet. The wetter your hair is, the longer it’s going to take to dry it with heat. This means prolonged exposure to hot air, which results in dry, frizzy, and damaged hair.
This is why we recommend allowing your hair to air dry for about 15 minutes prior before you blow-dry your hair. Better yet, only blow dry hair when necessary. The longer you can go between using heat for drying, the better off your hair will be.
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Towel Drying
While a hair drying towel may not produce heat like when you blow-dry natural hair, the friction used can also cause damage. You have two options to reduce the damage caused by towel drying. First, you can gently dab your hair from the roots to your scalp instead of aggressively rubbing your hair.
Second, you can invest in a hair-drying towel that will not be as rough on your hair. Not only are these microfiber towels soft and gentle on your hair, but they are also much lighter than traditional bath towels. This makes them easier to balance on your head and less weight on your hair strands.
You should compare the benefits of towel drying hair vs. blow-drying hair vs. air drying hair to see which option may benefit you the most. While we highly recommend air drying, it’s important to understand how to minimize the risks of other methods.
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Not Using Heat Protecting Products
If you have no choice but to use heat to blow dry hair straight, then make sure you use products that protect you from heat damage. They minimize frizzing and can help retain moisture in the inner part of your hair strands. The extra moisture helps prevent damage and breakage.
The best products to maintain healthy hair include leave-in conditioners and heat sprays. Leave-in conditions can be worked through wet hair with a wide-tooth comb, which helps prevent tearing or breakage. Apply the conditioner to the ends of your hair, work through gently, then style.
Heat protecting spray can be used on wet or damp hair. The spray creates a layer of protection between your hair and the source of heat, whether you blow-dry hair straight or use a brush/dryer combo. This layer will seal in the moisture while creating a barrier at the same time.
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Using a Brush While Drying
While choosing to air dry hair is the best option for hair drying, it’s not just the method of drying that matters. It’s important to consider the tools used when drying as well. For example, you should never use a brush on wet hair.
As we said, your hair is most vulnerable when it’s wet. So, when you run a brush through it, it’s much more prone to breakage. For this reason, we recommend using a wide-tooth comb to gently work through any knots starting from the tips of your hair and working towards the roots.
Also, consider the type of brush you use when drying hair. Brush with metal teeth will get hotter when used with a hairdryer or hair straightener. This adds extra heat, and therefore, damage to your hair strands.
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Handling Wet Hair Improperly
Mishandling wet hair while drying can cause as much damage as the wrong drying tools. For example, you should always be sure to separate your hair into sections while drying. This not only helps to ensure your hair is drying evenly, but it also prevents over-drying certain areas.
Putting your hair up when it’s wet can cause a lot of damage, just like using a brush; putting your hair up in a bun or ponytail while it’s wet can put a lot of strain on your strands. This causes a lot of damage and breakage.
When it comes to wet hair, opt to leave it wrapped in a soft and gentle hair-drying towel to minimize damage and absorb some liquid. Better yet, leave it down and choose to air dry hair. The drier your hair is, the less risk of damaging it when brushing or styling.
Start Using the Proper Hair Drying Techniques
Using the proper hair drying techniques can save your hair from the damages caused by using the wrong hair drying towel or from blow drying natural hair. These mistakes are so common and yet completely avoidable, so start utilizing the techniques in the best interest of your hair, such as choosing to air dry hair.
For more beauty tips you can start implementing today, visit our Fashion page.