Is Air Drying Hair Dangerous? Hairstylists Weigh In

Whether or not it is as a result of we’re attempting out a fluffy new model or realized we washed our hair a little bit too near bedtime, most of us have used a blow-dryer on our hair sooner or later or one other. Whereas we (virtually) all do it, it is often with a nagging little thought at the back of our heads: That is completely jeopardizing my hair well being.

Standard knowledge holds that air drying is preferable to utilizing warmth in just about each scenario. However is that basically the case? May it truly be air-drying that results in frizzy, damaged strands? To search out out, we went to hair specialists Kerry E. Yates and Jacob Sirianno. Learn on for what they needed to share in regards to the execs and cons of air drying, together with the most secure method to do it.

Can Air Drying Trigger Harm? 

Air drying doesn’t sometimes trigger direct harm, Sirianno says—however it could contribute to points over time relying in your hair kind and atmosphere. “If hair stays moist for prolonged durations, the hair shaft can swell, making it extra weak to breakage,” he explains. “The slower evaporation can even weaken the hair’s internal construction, significantly if the hair is okay or porous.”

Digging in a bit, Sirianno says that every hair strand consists of three layers: the cuticle (outer layer), cortex (center layer), and medulla (core). The Cell Membrane Advanced (CMC) binds the cuticle layers collectively, taking part in a vital position in hair’s elasticity and energy. Air drying could cause hair to soak up water for prolonged durations, doubtlessly weakening the CMC. “When this construction is compromised, hair turns into extra vulnerable to frizz, break up ends, and breakage,” he explains. “Constant moisture retention from air drying can even disrupt the lipid stability, resulting in dryness and brittleness.”

The Advantages of Air Drying

That being mentioned, there are nonetheless many advantages to air drying. They embody much less warmth publicity, retention of pure texture, and time financial savings in your day by day routine. Yates notes that air drying as a substitute of utilizing sizzling styling instruments may also help restrict harm to the hair’s cuticle layers.

How you can Air Dry Correctly

When air drying:

• Yates advises eradicating extra moisture from hair (particularly on the roots) to scale back drying time and restrict any want for warmth. This method helps shield the cuticles, sustaining a clean floor that retains hair shiny, wholesome, and supple. Think about using merchandise designed for air drying, like a microfiber hair towel.
• “It is also essential to keep away from extreme brushing and brushing, as this will stress the cuticle,” she provides. “Since moist hair is extra fragile, aggressive pulling needs to be minimized.”

The Advantages of Blow Drying

“In some instances, blow-drying the hair on a decrease warmth setting can stop harm brought on by extreme water publicity, defending the CMC layer,” says Yates. “Nonetheless, steady publicity to excessive warmth could be dangerous.”  

Sirianno concurs, citing research demonstrating that managed blow-drying on a low-heat setting could be much less damaging than air drying because it reduces the time hair spends in its most fragile, moist state. “Extreme water retention can stress the cuticle layers, whereas average warmth publicity evaporates moisture sooner, serving to to protect the hair’s integrity and cut back breakage,” he says.

How you can Blow Dry Correctly

When you select to blow dry:

• Correct instruments and strategies make a big distinction. Utilizing the proper temperature and styling merchandise can seal the cuticle, leading to smoother, healthier-looking hair.
• Warmth protectants are important for minimizing harm, even when tough drying hair with out styling. They create a barrier that reduces warmth penetration and locks in moisture. “That is the primary product I like to recommend if any warmth is being utilized to the hair,” says Sirianno.
• “Diffusers are perfect for curly or wavy hair,” Sirianno says, as they assist distribute warmth evenly, lowering direct contact with strands whereas preserving the pure curl sample. Moreover, utilizing a nozzle attachment is essential, because it directs airflow for a smoother cuticle. With out a nozzle, airflow disperses in a number of instructions, usually resulting in elevated frizz.

The Last Takeaway

Whereas analysis signifies air drying can negatively impression hair on account of extended water publicity, it is essential to keep in mind that’s a can—not a will. When you want to air dry, use instruments and merchandise that assist dry the hair completely and decrease the time it stays soaking moist. In some instances, blow drying on a low warmth setting can stop harm from extended water publicity, however repeated publicity to excessive warmth can nonetheless trigger harm. So in the event you want blow-drying, keep cautious (and all the time use a warmth protectant).