Blow drying can be a great way to dry your hair faster, manipulate it more easily for the desired style, prevent tangles and add volume.
However, not using proper blow dry techniques may lead to dry and frizzy hair, causing itchiness in the scalp and making your hair prone to damage in a worst-case scenario.
Here’s how you should be blow drying your hair:
1. Blow dry from a safe distance
When you blow dry from a safe distance, you can effectively cut the effect of excessive heat damage down to zero. Additionally, you can prevent skin damage to adjacent areas and even hearing loss due to keeping your dryer too close to the ear.
A few inches away from your hair is fine while just 1-2 inches is a little close. However, this also depends on the make/model of your dryer.
2. Apply a heat protectant
Use a heat protectant; both spray and lotion are fine.
Heat protectants work in a similar way to sunscreen – they form a barrier between the heat source and your hair follicles, minimizing the effect of excessive heat and the ensuing damage.
You could also use leave-in treatments after your blow dry session as they offer an additional layer of protection, strengthening your hair too.
3. Try the lowest heat setting first
Different heat settings are there for different outcomes. In any case, it’s always a good idea to start at the lowest setting to get the desired result.
If you feel that the setting is too low, then increase it a notch.
4. Always blow dry in small sections
Blow drying all your hair at once is a recipe for disaster. It will lead to knotted hair, making it difficult and even painful to untangle it.
Make it easy on yourself – section off your hair (use a hair clip if necessary) and blow dry them one at a time.
This will reduce tangling and tagging, both of which can ultimately lead to hair loss.
5. Use your favorite hairspray to preserve your hairdo
Some women re-blow dry at frequent intervals but this is generally not recommended. Use a trusted hair spray, and you’ll be able to hold the desired style for significantly longer periods, reducing the frequency of re-blowing.
Conclusion: Can blow drying damage my hair?
Only if you do it incorrectly. On the contrary, blow drying isn’t bad for your hair at all, as long as you follow the tips above and invest in a quality hair dryer like the Laifen Hair Dryer.
Using a high heat setting from the get-go and holding the blow dryer too close to your scalp, for example, is a surefire way to end up with damaged hair.
But if you practice the right techniques, such as the ones highlighted above, you can reduce the time you spend blow drying your hair.
The Laifen Hair Dryer helps you dry hair up to five times faster and comes with a risk-free 30-day guarantee.
The black or white Laifen Swift is currently discounted by 30% on Amazon from Nov. 4 to Nov. 17, making it $139.99 after the discount.