Blow Drying Vs Air Drying your hair

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

I have a question about blow drying your hair, is it ok to blow dry your hair everyday or is it better to just air dry it? I have thin hair and when I just air dry it, it comes out limp and lifeless. Blow drying does give it more volume and life yet I keep reading that using a blow dryer every day can damage your hair. When I use my hairdryer I set it on low and only use for maybe five minutes, I usually air dry it first by fluffing it with my fingers. Anyone have suggestions? I asked my hairstylist this question and she said it is ok to use a blowdryer, but then she is paid to say these things, lol. Would like to hear from those of you that do or do not use blowdryers. Thanks

Hugs,

Susan

[Guest Maria_B]

i do not use blowdryers, coz honey, my hair is so thick you stick a fork in it and wont see it for years LOL, but my friend has really thin hair and she tells me she towels dries it completely, she says she uses the towel to give it fluffiness and stuff because she's into that look, but she also has curly hair so i dont know. Have you tried towel drying? my hairdresser says you need to keep real good care of your hair if you use a blowdryer everyday

[Guest Mia J]

My hair is also very thin but the only time I blow-dry is when I need to dry it quickly. I find that if I air dry it will first lay flat but will start to fluff up nicely as it gets drier.

Mia

[Guest AlexisD]

Here's my shower routine when I get out. I towel dry my hair, brush it, and then put it up in a pony tail. After I'm done getting dressed and everything I let the pony tail out and let my hair air dry.

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

About one of four times I blow dry it.....

The dryer can damage it......

I like it to dry naturally, though......less damage!

Huggs

D

Dee Jay

[Guest]

Hi Susan,

When I air-dry my hair, it goes into what I call, "Bird's Nest Style."

By using a blow-dryer, I get it straight enough to style. It's fine and thin, but don't have much choice. Perhaps a perm will help, but it's still too short for the big rollers needed.

Oh, on top of the dryer, I use a flat-iron. I'm just doomed! Now I know why the little old ladies wear 'fro's!

Love, Meg

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

I do both. I don't own a hair dryer so the times I use one is when the hotel has it (usually with the cord bolted to the wall). For the most part, I air dry my hair. It's very thick, long and very curly/wavy. What I do is towel dry, then put in whatever hair products I want, then bend over and flip my hair over and scrunch my hair with my hands. If I have access to a hair dryer, I'll put it on low and run it all around my head while still scrunching my hair with my hands. (kind of like a poor man's diffuser) I read somewhere that air drying, with naturally wavy/curly hair, is the best way to go.

Constant use of a hair dryer, flat iron, etc. can damage your hair but they make products now to help repair your hair. I forgot who makes it but along with their usual line of hair care, they also offer a line of heat styling products, so next time you're in Target or Walmart, nose around in hair care and you should find it.

[JJ]

My hair was one of my vanities when living as a woman because it is very fine, naturally blond and about twice as thick as normal. In fact I have often been told my hair is finer than most little children's. But that meant I have to take care of it or it broke off like mad. Yet I preferred it mid-back and usually wore it at least that long. I kept it silky and shiny and healthy even though I couldn't use many products or it was limp and dull because it is so fine.

Here are a few things I know are important. No product will long term really repair damage. It improves the appearance but not the damage, Eventually it will need to be cut when damaged.

Never, ever use a brush on wet hair. Wet hair is extra vulnerable to damage and a brush tears the hair when it is wet. Instead get one of those wide tooth combs and gently comb through it. Also don't roughly towel it-It snarls your hair and makes combing out harder on your hair. Gently pat and stroke with a towel. Never rub.

Pony tail holders will cut your hair unless cloth covered. Not dramatically but it adds up. Well worth the few extra dollars to get quality. The cheap ones can expose rubber band when pulled tight. A rubber band has a sharp edge-they even occasionally cut skin so you can imagine what they can do to hair.

Heat and sun are enemies. They dry the natural oils and make hair brittle so that it breaks and splits and gets fuzzy. I found the only way to curl my hair and keep it healthy was to use the steam rollers. Irons are the worst but blow dryers can do enormous damage because the whip your hair around while heating it.

Shampoo also strips the necessary oils and protections and many hairstylists and most Drs. will say it is bad to shampoo more than twice a week. There is a real viscous cycle there because the more you shampoo the more the oil glands work to put oil back and the faster your hair looks oily. You have to go through looking oily for awhile to get it back to normal.

With hair the more natural you can be the better. Anyway these things were what I found worked for my hair and I believe most or all are universal..

Now I get to do the guy thing and just towel, comb and go.

Johnny

[Guest Nova Maria]

Blow dry, girl! It should be fine if you're on the "low" setting. I would also invest in a good heat-protection spray. If you're especially concerned with heat damage, wash your hair using lukewarm or (if you can stand it) cold water, and condition EVERY time you wash. I'd also recommend a deep conditioner once a week.