A common myth debunked: Air-drying your hair isn't gentler than using a blow dryer—it's actually worse. Dr. Tim Moore, Head of Technology at ghd (Good Hair Day), shared this insight with Harper's Bazaar UK, along with expert tips for blow-drying without harming your hair fibers.
When wet, hair cuticles swell and crack from water exposure, leading to damage. Air-drying prolongs this humidity exposure, weakening strands further. Wet hair is also highly vulnerable to indoor and outdoor pollutants. The solution? Dry promptly—but properly.
Remove excess moisture with a dry towel: Gently squeeze out water with a dry towel to shorten drying time. Skip vigorous rubbing, which pulls hair and creates frizz.
Avoid brushing wet hair: Wet strands are fragile and prone to breakage. Detangle once fully dry.
Use low to medium heat: Opt for a dryer with adjustable low/medium settings (invest if needed). Keep it moving—never linger on one spot to avoid overheating. Your hair should dry completely without excess time.
Spray on heat protectant: A thermal shield spray adds a barrier against heat, ideal for blow dryers and straighteners too.
Style with irons on dry hair: Use curling irons or straighteners only on dry hair, never exceeding 210°C—or ideally 185°C per ghd experts. Higher temps burn fibers, cause breakage, and fade color.
Armed with these pro tips, your hair stays healthy and styled.
