If you want to just go with the safest choice, heat-free is always going to be the healthiest way to dry natural hair and prevent damage—but blow-drying natural hair certainly has its benefits also.
So, what's the recipe for success? It's a bit of both options. The healthiest way to dry your hair is to both blow dry and air dry.
Air drying your hair causes much less damage to your hair. However, if you can't forgo the blow dryer, don't use too much heat – you'll damage not only your hair, but your scalp as well. Turn down the temperature setting to get the same effect with less damage.
Air drying is by far less damaging than using high heat. There's a caveat, though: Air drying appears to cause damage to the cell membrane complex, which doesn't happen when hair is blow dried. The least amount of damage occurred in hair that was blow dried at a distance of 15cm with continuous motion.
The good news is that they offer several benefits other than harming your hair. Besides preventing moisture retention through quick drying, negative ions can reduce frizz and improve your hair's shine. Moreover, they reduce the likelihood of damage through breaking.
The heat from a high dryer setting is enough to fade any colored fabrics over time, but the medium heat of the permanent press setting gets clothing dry without the damaging effects.
However, the safest hair dryers use ionic, ceramic, or tourmaline technology with multiple heat settings. Some affordable hair dryers offer this technology. Remember that any hair dryer can cause damage if you overdry or use high-heat settings, so it's a good idea to use a heat protectant spray before you blow.
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.
Keep the dryer moving constantly, avoiding concentrating the hot air on any one spot for too long. Additionally, holding the dryer at least six inches away from your hair reduces direct heat exposure.
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.
Use Microfiber. After washing and conditioning the hair, use a microfiber towel to gently squeeze out excess water. If possible, let the hair air dry until it's 50-60% dry. Never use a blow dryer on sopping wet hair!
Instead of drying your hair with a towel post-shower, swap it for a cotton T-shirt. “When hair is wet, it becomes weaker and softer,” explains hairstylist Isabella Vázquez. “If we use a regular towel to dry it, the grooves of the towel become aggressors to the cuticle of the hair.
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.
Keep the air flowing in one direction, from your roots to the hair's ends. This keeps the cuticle layers on the outside of your hair smooth, so your hair can be shiny and protected. Keep the dryer moving to avoid too much heat in one spot. Use a heat protectant to protect your hair from damage.
Styling Needs: If you prioritize faster drying times, an ionic hair dryer with a high wattage is ideal. If you prefer a more controlled drying experience with consistent heat, a ceramic dryer is a good choice. Consider the heat speed settings and cool shot button for optimal styling control.
Popular models include the Parlux 3200 Compact Dryer 1900w and ultra-compact Diva Pro Styling Atmos Atom Dryer, which weighs 75% less than products with a typical AC motor.
The issue arises from excessive heat and improper use, which can lead to hair damage and breakage. To prevent this, it's recommended to use a hair dryer on a low heat setting, keep it moving to avoid concentrating heat on one area, and apply a heat protectant to your hair.
This setting may appear under the name “air dry” or “air fluff” on your dryer's setting list. The main thing to remember with this setting is that it uses no heat. The dryer will draw room temperature air from the surrounding area as the drum tosses your clothes.