Does your hair’s health depend on how you blow-dry it, or do you miss out on beautiful locks by letting the elements take their course?
We’ve all done it: stood in front of a mirror with a towel wrapped around our head, debating whether air drying is better than a quick blow-dry. Air drying has been a popular choice for years, but does it really work best for your hair? To find out the truth, we delved deep into the science of hair drying with hair experts Kerry E. Yates & Jacob Sirianno.
The Science Behind Shine
Sirianno explains that air drying your hair may not damage it directly, but over time it can cause problems, especially if you have fine or porous hair. The hair shaft expands when wet and is more susceptible to breakage. Slow evaporation also weakens the inner structure of the hair. This can lead to more frizz, splits ends, and hair breakage.
The Pros and Cons Unraveled
Air drying is also beneficial because it reduces heat exposure, retains natural texture and saves time in your daily routine. Yates says that skipping hot tools can limit damage to hair’s cuticle layer, which is good for hair health.
The Art of Air Drying
Yates recommends removing excess water, especially at the root, to reduce drying times and limit the need for heat. This helps to protect the cuticles and maintain a smooth surface, which keeps hair healthy, shiny, and supple. Avoid excessive brushing or combing as this can damage the cuticle.
Blow Drying – The Modern Savior?
In some cases, blow drying on a lower setting can protect the CMC layer from damage caused by excessive exposure to water. Moderate heat exposure helps to evaporate moisture faster and preserve hair integrity.
Air drying can be harmful to hair because of prolonged exposure to water, but this is not a final decision. If you choose to air-dry, make sure that you use products and tools that will help your hair dry thoroughly and reduce the time it is soaking wet. Blow-drying on a low setting can help prevent damage caused by prolonged exposure to water, but repeated exposure can still cause damage. If you prefer to blow-dry, be careful and use a heat protector.
Your hair is your choice. Make it a good one.