Although blow-drying your hair can be a great way to reduce frizz and add volume, it can also damage your hair if you overdo it or if not done correctly. This may lead you to wonder, should you blow dry your hair after washing?
In this article, we’ll address the question of whether to blow-dry your hair after a shower and provide some secure blow-drying methods. Nice, huh? Let’s get started!
Should You Blow Dry Your Hair After Washing?
The straightforward answer is no; you should not blow dry your hair immediately after washing it. Instead, you want to wait until your hair is about 80% dry, and then use a blow dryer.
Hair needs lots of moisture to stay healthy, and when you wash your hair, the cuticles open up and absorb moisture from water. If you opt to dry your hair with a blow-dryer, the heat from the will evaporate the excess water from your hair, getting rid of the moisture as well. Less than ideal.
If you apply heat to your hair, it strips away the natural oils, leading to holes in the hair’s cuticle. Damaged, dry, and frizzy hair that’s prone to breakage are also part of the consequence.
Proper Technique for Blow Drying
We know why people love blow-drying, a quick and handy way of getting the shower routine over. But if not done correctly, blow drying can damage your hair. If you want to avoid all the bad that comes with it, use the tips below.
Use a Heat Protectant:
Apply a heat-protectant product to your moist hair before starting to blow dry your hair. These products form a barrier between your hair and the dryer’s focused heat.
Start at Low Temperatures:
When using a blow dryer, start with moderate temperatures and gradually increase them to suit your needs and style. High temperatures can produce significant heat damage, resulting in split ends and breakage over time.
Keep It Moving:
Use the blow dryer on each section of your hair. Don’t just blow on one area until it becomes too hot – this could result in severe heat damage. Use a round brush to glide through your hair easily.
What Will Happen If You Over-Blow Dry Your Hair?
Moderation is essential when it comes to blow-drying your hair. Over-drying your hair can cause significant damage, including split ends, breakage, and even thinning.
Excessive heat from a blow dryer can destroy your scalp’s natural oils, which are necessary for healthy hair development. Your cuticles might become brittle and fragile without these oils, causing breakage.
If you frequently use a blow dryer, make sure it has an adjustable temperature setting so you don’t overheat your hair. Additionally, before styling with hot tools, use thermal protection products such as leave-in conditioners or sprays.
So, Should You Blow Dry Your Hair After Washing It?
While blow drying can be a convenient way to style your hair, it can also be damaging if not done correctly. That said, an essential tip to remember is that you should avoid blow-drying your wet hair. Instead, wait until your hair is about 80% dry before using a hair dryer.
So, should you blow dry your hair after washing it? Honestly, it’s not something we recommend. Instead, we suggest you wait for a while and use only the right products to minimize damage to your hair and opt for air-drying whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are various methods for drying your hair besides blow drying. Such methods include:
– Air Drying
– Towel Wrapping
– Diffuser Attachment
Letting your hair air dry is usually the best option. It allows moisture from shampooing and conditioning treatments to remain in the cuticle layer of your hair, which helps keep your locks strong and healthy.
You shouldn’t go to bed with wet hair. When the hair is wet, it can become tangled while you sleep, leading to breakage or split ends. Additionally, sleeping on damp hair can cause a buildup of bacteria and fungi which causes scalp irritation.
