There’s nothing quite as refreshing as washing your hair, but the lengthy drying time can turn relaxation into frustration. For those of us who rely on a blow dryer or diffuser, it often feels like an endless wait, and for individuals with curly hair, the struggle is amplified, leading many to wash their hair less frequently to save time.
The first step in finding out why your hair dries so slowly is with the structure of the hair. The first step is to compare hair thickness. The longer someone waits for the hair to dry, is because the amount of water in each strand is more, simply because the diameter of that strand is more based on that person’s hair thickness. Fine hair has less volume per strand, is lighter, and will take less time for moisture to evaporate.
Another vital factor is hair porosity, which significantly affects drying times. High porosity hair allows water to escape quickly, meaning dry hair dries even faster, whereas low porosity hair holds onto moisture longer. Hairstylist Leigh Hardges highlights that coarser low porosity strands retain water, and Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist, confirms that porosity influences the rate at which water evaporates from hair strands.
Drying time is also influenced by hair type. Because hair does not lie flat on curly and coily hair types, more twists and turns are formed trapping moisture and slowing down the drying process. Tiffany Minyon, a hairstylist, notes that while air moved through curls or coils is circled, it struggles to move through the waves or straight hair.
Hair density also plays a crucial role in determining drying time. Many people mistakenly believe they have thick hair when, in reality, it might just be dense, with countless strands packed tightly together. Since air struggles to circulate through a dense mass, drying takes longer, as explained by Hardges.
Interestingly, healthy hair can also take longer to dry. According to Hardges and Zeichner, a prolonged drying time may indicate well-moisturized hair shafts. In contrast, damaged hair dries quickly because open cuticles allow moisture to escape more readily.
The amount of product and water left on your hair after a shower can also add to drying time. The more water and products your hair has, the longer it will take to air dry. While this may be frustrating to those who want instant results, Minyon reminds us that this could be a sign of healthy hair, since it means the hair is hydrated just fine.
Knowing these factors helps you understand the drying of your hair and how to speed that up. Wash day doesn’t have to be so daunting if you know how to work with your hair’s unique properties and can use effective drying strategies.
Drying your hair doesn’t have to feel like a tiresome chore. By employing the right techniques and tools, you can significantly reduce drying time while ensuring your hair remains healthy. In this article, we’ll explore practical tips to enhance your drying routine, making it more efficient and enjoyable.
The first thing to understand is your hair’s specific needs. Using the right products is one of the simplest things to do to speed up drying. For reasons, quick dry sprays are an excellent option and have become popular. The purpose of these sprays is to assist with the speed at which the hair dries, as the hair can carry less water in it. “Oh, they are really a great tool,” says seasoned hairstylist Leigh Hardges, who recommends them for being able to cut down on drying time significantly.
Choosing the right towel is often an overlooked yet highly effective way to speed up drying. Traditional terrycloth towels can be abrasive, leading to frizz and breakage, so opt for a microfiber towel or a soft cotton shirt instead. These gentler materials are more absorbent and help wick moisture away faster, not only reducing drying time but also preserving your hair’s natural curl pattern and texture.
If you have curly or coily hair, you should be saturating and shaping your curls. The funny thing is, it might sound counterintuitive but really, letting your curls get properly saturated with water before you apply styling product will actually make drying more efficient. Curly hair specialist Tiffany Minyon recommends that you pray hands or scrunch on the products to distribute them evenly. But this not only picks up curl definition, it allows for a faster drying time because the products are more easily absorbed.
Another technique that will be quite useful to those who have longer hair is air drying. If you allow your hair to air dry to a certain point before applying heat to it, you won’t damage the natural curl pattern or structure. If you’re going to use a diffuser, skipping this step can really help. Minyon adds that this step is vital to keep your curl intact while also speeding up the drying process.
In matters of using heat, it’s about the right tools and settings. A great hair dryer can cut down the time it takes to dry your hair by a dramatic amount. At this point, you should look for a dryer with sophisticated technology, and several settings, to prevent damage from heat to your hair. Drying with the use of a nozzle attachment may concentrate the airflow and this will speed up the process as well increase its effectiveness?
Additionally, sectioning your hair can make a big difference. By dividing your hair into smaller, manageable sections, you ensure that air reaches every strand effectively. This method not only speeds up drying time but also results in a more uniform finish. Use clips or hair ties to secure your sections and work through them one at a time for optimal results.
Applying these tips in your wash day routine will make you wash your hairs no more than a dreaded chore but a fun, quick and less time consuming routine. Don’t worry; if you’re using quick dry sprays, making investments in the right tools, or just changing your towel, each of the small changes you make has an impact that leads to a faster and much more efficient drying experience.
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