When it comes to drying your hair, you can use air drying or blow drying. But which is better for your hair? The answer might surprise you.
Many say air drying or naturally leaving your hair to dry is better than grabbing your blow dryer to dry your hair, as this can damage the hair with heat.
Still, many feel their hair is not the same when air-dried and prefer the blow-dry method. Let’s find out what our stylists have to say.
Which One is Better Air Drying or Blow Drying?
The short answer is that it all depends on how you do it. Many professionals will say air-drying is healthier, but this is a myth. You can gently blow dry your hair and achieve excellent results using the right hair dryer on a low heat and speed setting until it is 90% dry.
It all comes down to how your hair responds when wet. Your hair can absorb up to 30% of its weight in water, causing it to swell and weaken when under pressure from the bonds. Your hair strands comprise different bonds, including hydrogen that breaks when wet.
For this reason, you can restyle your hair in different styles, from wet to dry. When your hair is damp, the strands stretch out, resulting in the water placing pressure on these bonds, even those strong keratin bonds.
When damp, hair loses elasticity and is more prone to breakage, so it should not be wet for too long. A study conducted at Yonsei University in Korea compared air-drying to heat-drying.
The researchers found that the cell membrane that glued hair cells together only became damaged in the naturally dried group when exposed to water for too long. They also found that using the correct technique for blow-drying hair is healthier than air drying.
Still, it remains a debate as both techniques have pros and cons.
Pros And Cons of Air Drying vs Blow Drying
When deciding between air drying or blow drying, air drying involves no heat and is healthier. However, blow drying can also damage hair.
Pros And Cons of Air Drying
Air drying exposes your hair to less heat and is healthier. Furthermore, it is low-maintenance and requires minimal effort, which is excellent if you are busy. The main con is that it depends on your hair density and texture. If you have thick hair, it can take longer to dry, is more fragile when wet, and is prone to break. Another factor is that your hair can dry inconsistently, resulting in frizz.
Pros And Cons Blow Drying
You can create different looks using different blow-drying techniques with blow drying. Furthermore, it can leave your hair shiny and smooth. You also have more control over your outcome results.
The con is that blow drying the hair can lead to damage when you overdo it, and do not protect your hair with a heat protectant. As with air drying, you can also end up with frizz blow drying when not using a quality tool.
When to do Air Drying or Blow Drying
The choice depends on the health of your hair.
Air Drying
If you have badly damaged hair, it is better to air dry than heat dry, which could further damage your hair. Air drying is an excellent technique to embrace your natural texture, as you can still use a hair product like hair balm and allow it to dry. The same applies to chemically treated hair, as it can prevent further breakage.
Blow Drying
Okay, our stylists agree that if you are in a pinch, it helps to blow dry, but do not forget to use a heat protectant. If you have gone through a lot of coloring and your hair is fragile, be extra careful when blow-drying it.
We recommend using a product that moisturizes, protects, and mends your hair. Set the blow dryer on the lowest setting and use heat-activated products to help with your styling.
What is Better For Frizzy Hair Air Drying or Blow Drying?
Whatever style you prefer for drying your frizzy hair depends on how you do it. Both these methods help to tame your curly hair.
For a faster way, you can blow dry your hair, but it can be a downside. Excessive heat or improper tool use damages your tresses, leading to breakage and frizz over time. Always use a heat protectant and set the blow dryer on a low setting; when done, it can tame your tresses.
On the other hand, you can air dry your hair to preserve its natural moisture, but without the blow dryer’s smoothing effect, some hair types can frizz. You can use a leave-in conditioner or an anti-frizz serum on your damp hair for air drying.
Also, apply hair oil before your shower. It helps smooth the hair cuticles, reducing frizz. No one method is better; it all comes down to how you do it and the products you use.
What is The Impact of Air Drying And Blow Drying on Hair Loss?
Both methods have pros and cons to hair loss, depending on how you do it and your hair type.
While air drying does not involve heat, it reduces brittleness. However, it can also increase frizz or tangling, leading to breakage if not managed gently.
Blow drying again is faster and allows for better styling, but it can cause heat damage if you do not do it correctly. It can weaken the hair and lead to breakage and hair loss over time.
Still, using the correct techniques and products can help lessen hair loss with both methods. To remove excess water, use a microfiber towel and apply a leave-in conditioner before air drying.
When blow drying, use your heat protectant and set the blow dryer to a low setting. Then, finish with a burst of cool air as it closes the hair cuticle while locking in moisture.
What is The Best Way to Dry Curly Hair?
Gentle techniques refine natural curl patterns and minimize damage to curly hair. Pat your hair dry with a microfiber towel, then apply a leave-in conditioner to keep it hydrated.
You can also use the plop method. Wrap your hair in a towel for up to 45 minutes, which enhances curls. The best way to maintain moisture and reduce frizz is to air dry. Still, you can quickly dry your hair using a diffuser attachment on a hair dryer on low to medium heat.
The diffuser will help distribute the heat and reduce frizz. You can scrunch your hair with a small amount of oil or a curl cream when dry. Then, sleep on silk or satin pillowcases and get regular trims with deep conditioning treatments.
Wrap-Up: Which One is For You?
Whether you air or blow dry, both can offer outstanding results.
Air drying is healthier as it does not involve heat, but blow drying is beneficial if you want a specific style. However, it is worth noting that you should always use a heat protectant before using styling tools.
It all depends on how you do it and what products you choose to style your hair. For a professional blow dry, visit us at Haste Hair today or pop in to discuss your hair care routine needs.
FAQ
Is drying your hair naturally better?
Air drying is not always better, as it can damage hair. Blow drying is gentler on the hair but does cause heat damage over time. It all comes down to how you execute it.
What is better for oily hair, air drying, or blow drying?
Blow drying is better than air drying oily hair. When you air dry your oily hair, more bacteria can build up while the hair is wet in a warm environment. Blow drying distributes more sebum as you lift the hair away from the scalp and leaves the hair less oily.
How often can I blow dry my hair?
It is best to avoid blow drying for brittle or damaged hair, but if you have healthy hair, you can blow dry it thrice a week.