As pro hairstylist Gabi Lopez explains, “hair is in its most fragile state when wet.”
So, how does one approach towel drying correctly?
Choose Absorbent Materials
Using whatever bath towel that’s available could be the cause of lingering frizz.
D Mills / Byrdie
Instead, have a dedicated hair towel made with an absorbent material, likemicrofibers.
If your hair doesn’t retain as much moisture, cotton t-shirts will also safely absorb the excess.
It could also be a necessity based on the demands of your time.
She recommends Kerastase’s Nectar Thermique.
Similar to the shake-out technique, a wide-tooth comb helps with ventilation.
“By using a wide-tooth comb, hair dries faster,” says Hurtado.
“This is because the wide-spaced teeth of your comb allow air to flow through.”
Whendetangling, begin at the ends and slowly work your way up the hair shaft toward the roots.
Blow-Drying Techniques
With heat involved, it’s no surprise that blow-drying techniques require caution and care.
Ahead, Lopez outlines the importance of these considerations for achieving proper blow-dry techniques.
After detangling, Lopez suggests directing your airflow in the same direction your hair grows.
“This will keep you from roughing up the cuticle, which cancause frizz,” she says.
Using an attachment is absolutely necessary for directing a concentrated airflow.
This is a common mistake that most often happens with nozzles and round brushes.
“The closer the nozzle is to the hair, the more damaging it can be.”
If you seek volume, direct the hair and airflow up and away from the roots.
If you’re looking for smoother results, she says tension is key.
Diffusing
Diffusingrequires a specific technique that isn’t as straightforward as a nozzle or comb attachment.
“Be patient!”
“First things first: Choose a blow dryer that usesnegative ion technology,” says Lopez.
If you have thin, dry, or damaged hair, Lopez recommends staying between 200-300 degrees.
For medium textured hair, she says, “don’t exceed 350 degrees.”
Once all the moisture has been removed, don’t forget to use your cool shot.
This will cool the hair down and help to set it in its new shape and texture.
Don’t attempt to reshape dry hair.
If something isn’t sitting right, re-wet the section and loop back and try.
The Final Takeaway
Wet hair is fragile hair.
When it comes to drying your hair, it’s all in the details.
Trust us: These seemingly small adjustments will have a huge impact in the long run.
