Toggle Navigation
open search bar
share with emailshare with Facebookshare with Twittershare with Pinterestshare with LinkedIn

To Blow-Dry or Not? The Best Hair Dryer Tips to Protect Your Hair

8 Min Read

For many of us, a hair dryer is a tool that’s always there. It has looked the same for a very long time, and we might not even think about looking for the best hair dryer. About a year ago, the British industrial designer and inventor Richard Dyson launched his new, revolutionizing hair dryer – the Dyson Supersonic. He pointed out that dryers have looked the same for the past 60 years. It’s a part of most of our everyday routines, and we might not realize that there’s a problem with ours.

Most of us know that we should be careful with how much we use heat tools on our hair. At the same time it’s nearly impossible to avoid them completely. In fact, 75.5% of women and 24.5% of men in the U.S. regularly use a hair dryer. This adds up to a lot of time, watts and burned scalps. That’s why Dyson wanted to create a hair dryer that’s gentle on the hair. But then you might wonder, how much of a difference can there really be?

We’re not really sure, but Dyson believed he could create the best hair dryer, and spent four years and 600 prototypes on creating the perfect one. He said there were 103 engineers involved that tested it out on more than 1,010 miles of hair and did 7,000 acoustic tests, as they wanted to create a silent and fast tool. The company had help from celebrity stylist Jen Atkin, whose client list includes names like Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba and Katy Perry. She is now the brand ambassador.

The only problem with such a well-researched product is that the price tag lands on $399. This probably feels like a little too hefty for many of us, but regardless of what brand of appliance you have, there are some general rules for how to take care of your hair and make heat styling less damaging.

The Best Hair Dryer Tips to Maintain Healthy Hair

Use a Tool With Different Settings

It can be hard to know which the best hair dryer is, but whichever model you choose, you can protect your hair by changing the settings of your hair dryer – fine, thin hair needs a lower temperature, while thicker hair can handle a higher one (although generally not the highest). More expensive tools tend to make a difference by how quickly they act. If your hair dryer has more power and stronger air flow it will dry your hair faster and reduce the time you need to expose your hair to hot air.

Use a Heat Protectant

Always use a heat protectant!  There are many different variants of heat protectant sprays to protect your hair from the heat tool you’re using. Spray it in the hair and comb it through to spread it evenly.

Do Not Style Too Often

If you deep cleanse your hair and style it properly, it will last for several days and you can let your hair rest in between. Also, let the hair dry halfway naturally before blow-drying it to spare it from the damaging heat. When you do blow dry your hair, keep your distance – at least eight inches away – and keep the dryer moving to spread the heat evenly.

Never Wear Wet Hair Up

Remember to not put your hair in a ponytail or bun when it is wet. The hair is more sensitive when wet, and putting it up can lead to damage.

Hair Masks

A moisturizing hair mask will revitalize your hair and make it strong and shiny. Use it about once a week after washing. You can also make one yourself with what you have in your kitchen.

Leave-In Conditioner and Oils

After washing your hair it might be a good idea to apply a leave in conditioner. This allows hair to let it soak up even more moisture. After styling your hair, rub some Moroccan oil or coconut oil in your hands and gently work through your hair. This can help apply some long lasting shine and moisture. If you just want a shiny finish, only apply it on the lower half of your hair. If you are looking for healthier hair growth, massaging oil into your scalp can help get your blood circulation going for further moisturizing scalp benefits.

Photos by Corey Balazowic via Flickr

Mainstream via Flickr

share with emailshare with Facebookshare with Twittershare with Pinterestshare with LinkedIn

Sign up for the Nutrafol Newsletter

© 2024 Nutraceutical Wellness Inc. All Rights Reserved.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.