Air Drying vs. Blow Drying: The Benefits, Concerns & How to Maximise Both
When it comes to drying your hair, the choice between air drying and blow drying can influence its health, texture, and overall appearance. Each technique has its own set of benefits and potential drawbacks, so understanding how to use them effectively is key to keeping your hair in its best shape.
Featured Products
Velluto Anti-Frizz Straightening Serum
Favoloso Perfect Curls Enhancing Serum
Favoloso Heat Protector Spray
Is It Good to Let Your Hair Air Dry?
Air drying is a gentle method that allows your hair to dry naturally without the exposure to heat from styling tools. This technique is ideal for those who want to avoid potential damage from heat. For individuals with delicate, thin, or damaged hair, air drying can help reduce additional stress. However, if not done properly, air drying can lead to frizz, especially for unruly or coarser hair types.
Does Air Drying Damage Hair?
While air drying is generally considered less damaging than blow drying, it’s not without its potential pitfalls. For example, letting hair air dry without applying a styling product may leave it prone to frizz or limpness, especially for textured hair. Those with thick hair might also notice that their scalp feels oily while the ends stay dry.
To combat this, use a product like the Velluto Anti-Frizz Straightening Serum to control the texture and frizz, or the Favoloso Perfect Curls Enhancing Serum to keep curls hydrated and defined.
Tip for Maximising Air Drying
To avoid frizz or an unkempt appearance, apply a leave-in product after washing, such as the Prodigio Regenerating Oil. This silky oil protects against environmental damage, helps reduce the formation of split ends, and keeps hair soft and manageable.
For added shine and hydration, a few drops of Brillante Protect & Shine Oil are perfect. It’s infused with UV filters to protect your hair from the sun while providing a glossy, healthy finish, perfect for those leaving their to dry whilst in the sunshine.
Those looking to give their dry hair an extra dose of hydration, the Vivace Leave In Conditioner is ideal. Perfect for reducing frizz, detangling and softening hair textures, the spray leaves behind no greasy residue and is an ideal hair primer for those planning to air-dry hair that needs a little extra maintenance and care.
Does Blow Drying Damage Hair?
Blow drying, while faster and more convenient, can sometimes cause damage if not done properly. High heat settings can weaken the hair shaft, resulting in dryness, breakage, and frizz. That said, blow drying doesn’t inherently harm hair if it’s done mindfully. In fact, using the right techniques and products can actually help control your hair and give it a polished, smooth, frizz free and professional look. Smoother hair is less prone to breakage and flyaways because blow drying with the right technique and products, like a heat protectant and smoothing serum, seals the hair cuticle, reducing friction and preventing damage.
How to Make the Most of Blow Drying
If you’re blow drying your hair regularly, always use a nozzle attachment to control the airflow and avoid direct heat on your strands wherever possible. Section your hair and dry from roots to ends, keeping the dryer at a slight distance. For volumised looks, blow dry hair with your head tilted down for super lifted roots. Spritz a little Grandioso Volumising Spray on your roots once dry too for an extra volume boost.
Tips for Minimising Blow Dry Damage
Always start with a heat protectant spray, such as Favoloso Heat Protector Spray, to safeguard your hair from excessive heat. Apply a few sprays to damp hair before blow drying – it’s naturally derived ingredients help shield hair from heat damage (upto 220oC) and also reduce flat ironing induced hair fibre damage by 27%. Other professional tips to keep hair protected from damage prior to blow-drying include:
Use a microfiber towel to dry your hair – Before blow drying, gently blot your hair with a microfibre towel to absorb excess moisture and reduce the time needed for heat exposure. Avoid rigorously rubbing your hair dry with a towel – the friction will undoubtedly cause breakage, split ends and frizz!
Detangle with a Professional Brush – Use the Professional Detangling Brush on damp hair to gently remove knots and tangles, preventing breakage and making your blow drying process smoother – and quicker!
Avoid blow drying freshly washed hair – Allow your hair to air dry about 60-70% before using the hairdryer to minimise the time your hair is exposed to heat.
Maintain regular trims – Keeping your hair regularly trimmed prevents split ends from travelling up the hair shaft, which can worsen with heat exposure.
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Is It Better to Air Dry or Blow Dry?
Choosing between air drying and blow drying depends on your hair type, your schedule, and the look you’re aiming for.
Air drying is great for those with straight to slightly wavy hair who have time to let their hair dry naturally. It helps maintain the hair’s natural moisture and avoids the risks associated with heat styling. However, for curly or frizzy hair, air drying can sometimes result in undefined or unruly curls unless a suitable product, such as the Favoloso Perfect Curls Enhancing Serum, is applied.
Blow drying offers control and speed. It allows you to achieve smoother, more styled looks. Plus, with the right product, like Velluto Anti-Frizz Straightening Serum, you can tame frizz and keep hair sleek and straight. When you’re after voluminous blowouts, the Grandioso Volumising Spray comes in handy, and if you’re after smooth, sleek and frizz-free blow-dries the Dolce Satin Glow Booster is as silky as it sounds, while the Favoloso Texturising Spray adds tousled texture and enhances your hair’s natural movement – perfect for those air-dried looks and beach waves!
Final Thoughts
The choice between air drying and blow drying comes down to your hair type, your desired style, and the time you have available. Both methods can work beautifully when paired with the right products. Whether you’re aiming for natural texture with air drying or a polished look with blow drying, remember to protect and nourish your hair with quality products that enhance its health and beauty.
Take our free online hair quiz to discover your own personalised hair care routine and enjoy healthy and nourished hair with Italian Designer Haircare.
