Let's be real, air-drying your hair is often the gentlest option. Sure, a blow dryer can speed things up, but at what cost to your strands?
Excessive heat from a hair dryer can severely damage your hair. It's simple: the more you use a hair dryer, the more you risk damaging your hair. So, remember: hair dryer use, like antibiotics, isn't automatic! But if you can't do without it, here are some tips to limit the damage:
- Reduce, if possible, the hair dryer's usage time! To do this, thoroughly wring out your hair with a towel (without rubbing) then let it partially air dry.
- Apply a product specially designed to protect it from heat. This type of product forms a protective film on the hair's surface, thus limiting thermal damage*.
- Do not choose the highest temperature to dry your hair. A hair dryer that's too hot can boil the water inside the hair and cause severe damage. Set the dryer to lukewarm heat.
- You can even go as far as using the cold air button to avoid thermal damage. This will take more time to dry your hair but you risk damaging it less.
- If you opt for lukewarm heat, hold the dryer approximately 20 cm from your head.
- Keep the hair dryer moving so as not to concentrate heat in one spot.
- Avoid systematic use of the hair dryer. Alternate from time to time with air drying.
* The Kanellia brand (specializing in hair care for kinky/coily hair) has developed a thermo-protective gel for straightening or drying with high protection (approximately 12 euros). The brand's little extra: Kanellia products are guaranteed paraben-free and without petroleum jelly/mineral oils. Tip: check out stores and parapharmacies, as prices vary from one shop to another!
