“Keeping your hair wet for long periods of time (for example, overnight or air drying on a regular basis) can cause hygral fatigue, which is damage to the hair from excessive swelling,” explains trichologist Stephanie Sey on behalf of Nizoral.
Yes, hot air drying can be harmful to your hair. It can strip hair of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, brittleness, and increased risk of breakage. High heat can damage the hair cuticle, making hair more prone to frizz and split ends.
To know if you have hygral fatigue, you simply stretch your wet hair strand and release it, if it doesn't regain its natural shape or if it breaks while stretching then you are suffering from it.
Air drying: While it's heat-free, air drying can leave your hair damp for an extended period, which might weaken it and lead to frizz or dryness, especially for porous or textured hair. Hair is most fragile when wet, so the longer it's in that state, the more prone it is to damage from things like brushing or friction.
Yes, wetting your hair everyday can lead to hygral fatigue, which can result in frizzy dead-looking curls. Have you tried any other methods of refreshing your curls instead, like a refresher spray, oil, or steam?
“Keeping your hair wet for long periods of time (for example, overnight or air drying on a regular basis) can cause hygral fatigue, which is damage to the hair from excessive swelling,” explains trichologist Stephanie Sey on behalf of Nizoral.
When you air dry, make sure to start styling on damp—not drenched—strands. Staying wet for long stretches isn't the greatest thing for your hair's health, will only drag out your dry time. Most experts recommend using a towel to dry your hair at least 30 percent before letting the good old air do the rest.
Air drying has become a more favourable approach to hair care in recent years – it is said to make each strand stronger and healthier. But here's a surprising fact: Air drying can actually cause more damage to your hair than blow drying it.
Allowing your hair to air dry as much as possible is the gentlest way to go. Air drying minimizes heat exposure and, subsequently, the risk of heat-induced damage.
There's no timeframe for your hair to recover from hygral fatigue. Some sections may recover faster than others and other people may be able to bounce back from it quickly.
"To tell if you have too much moisture in your hair, pull a strand of hair and stretch it," said Simmons. "If it stretches without bouncing back, there is too much moisture. Your hair can look and feel limp, lifeless and extremely soft, almost fluffy.
Hygral fatigue means that you are wearing out your hair with too much water. “The telltale sign of dry hair is that the hair strands seem smaller than they used to be. They tangle easily, look and feel dry, but still have some good memory. Essentially, the stringy look.
Is it bad to go to sleep with wet hair? The short answer: Yes, it's bad for your hair to go to bed when wet. “Wet hair strands are much more fragile than dry hair strands,” explains Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.
Some downsides of air-drying include: It can encourage mold and mildew growth if items take too long to dry. Many materials stiffen if they're left to air-dry too long.
Air drying also may not give you the sleek, polished look that blow drying does, especially if you've got hair prone to frizz, air drying can really accentuate that. Air drying can also be quite damaging for the hair, when we touch or brush wet hair this can really add to potential breakage.
Researchers found the hair's cell membrane (the material that 'glues' hair cells together) was only damaged in the naturally dried group due to staying in contact with water for longer. They also found that using the proper technique when blow drying is better for the health of your hair.
Using a cold air hair dryer daily is generally safe and can even be beneficial for hair health. Users often report that using cold air helps to maintain moisture, reduce frizz, and enhance shine, particularly for those with delicate or damaged hair.
While air drying might feel like the most natural and harmless way to care for your hair, it's important to recognize that it comes with its own set of challenges. Prolonged dampness can weaken your hair, increase the risk of fungal infections,and uneven drying where you need to restyle your hair.
Make hydration a priority
“Moisture is key,” says Rorong. When your hair lacks moisture, it pulls it from the air, which causes strands to get puffy and frizzy. Both Jackson and Rorong sing the praises of sulfate-free shampoo for keeping a lid on frizz.
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
No matter how hygral fatigue arises, the signs of it are all the same: Hair that tangles or breaks easily, lacks elasticity, feels limp, or generally looks dull and frizzy, says Cavalcante.
HYGRAL FATIGUE: HOW TO AVOID IT
Allow your hair to fully dry before rewetting or adding more moisturizing products. Protein is the secret weapon for maintaining strong, resilient strands. Embrace protein-rich deep conditioners or treatments containing hydrolysed proteins like wheat, keratin, or silk.
Your hair may feel more coarse and struggle to hold a curl when dealing with protein overload. Too much protein may also cause split ends and breakage, leaving hair to shed more. If you're noticing more strands than usual on your comb or brush, that could be a telltale sign of high protein hair.