We’re all guilty of turning the blow dryer onto high heat when we’re running late for work on a Monday morning, or trying to get ready for a date after a gym session, but we for the sake of our lovely locks, we need to time manage better.
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Everyone knows that blow drying isn’t good for your hair. Neither is straightening or curling or hair spraying, or anything that we do to it to make it look good. If it was socially acceptable to walk around with healthy and natural hair, we’d all do it, but the truth is, many of us look better with our hair styled.
Blow drying removes the moisture from the hair, making the cuticles dry, brittle and susceptible to damage and breakage. However, air drying isn’t all as angelic as it has made out to be. Letting your hair dry naturally was originally thought to be the best way to dry hair and avoid damage, however, it has proven that air drying can cause the proteins that hold the cuticle together to break. This is because water makes the hair swell, and the longer it is swollen (as it would be if you were air drying), the more pressure it puts on these proteins.
So what is the healthiest way to dry your hair and have it looking shiny and soft? I’m glad you asked. It’s a combination of both air drying and low-temperature blow drying. Hair should be left to dry naturally until 80% of the water is evaporated, and then, holding the blowdryer about 15 centimetres away from your head, finish off the process on the lowest temperature. It’s very tempting to set your blowdryer to full throttle and get it over with, but just think of the fabulous hair you’ll have by putting in a little extra effort.
Don’t forget to add moisturising and conditioning products to the hair for gorgeous and healthy hair.
Images via magforwomen.com and urbanewoman.com
