5 Tips To Reduce Blow Dry Time, Because We Know You're Tired Of Waking Up Early For Your Hair
There is a reason so many social media influencers have gravitated toward slicked-back buns, dry shampoos, or intricate braided hairstyles; they are avoiding hair wash day. While skipping the shampoo and conditioner routine and just doing a quick body shower is nothing new, there seems to be this push to extend the longevity of greasy hair.
Interestingly, washing your hair every single day has actually been known to strip your hair of its natural oils. This is why aiming for every other day has been a popular go-to. However, there are many other factors to consider when deciding when to finally give your hair a good wash. Whether you have straight or curly hair, the drying and styling process can take a good amount of time and may require some planning.
The trick to quickly drying your hair without a blow dryer by using a microfiber towel may be helpful for some. However, for many people, blow-drying their wet hair is a necessary step in their post-shower process, especially if they plan on styling it with a curling iron or a flat iron afterward. Since this can often be a time-consuming and laborious process, finding ways to speed up your blow drying time can make getting ready for the day much easier.
Where you dry your hair matters
Having a perfect morning routine can help you feel productive and organized. However, it can be hard to fit everything you want to accomplish into a small window of time. Luckily, there are certain steps you can take that will streamline the process of blow-drying your hair. If you frequently spend your mornings standing in your bathroom and holding the blow dryer to your head for what feels like an eternity, constantly questioning why your hair is still wet, it may actually be a problem with your location.
Hairstylist, Jonathan Van Ness, explained to InStyle that getting ready in your bathroom can be problematic since the shower creates a lot of steam. With all that moisture in the air, it can create a humid environment that isn't conducive to quickly blow-drying your hair. Luckily, there are a few solutions.
While Van Ness recommends leaving the bathroom for a bit and allowing your hair to "air-dry" for a little while first, you can also move your hair dryer to a different room if you want to start blow drying immediately. If your bathroom has windows it would also be a good idea to open those up or turn on a fan for some fresh air. This may also be the key to preparing your hair for warmer days.
Consider upgrading your blow dryer
The truth is, not all hair dryers are created equal. There are some great quality ones and others that are quite cheaply made. As with most things, you want to invest in a quality product, but it's important to look into more than just the price of your hair dryer. If your hair dryer isn't broken, you may not think to replace it, even if you've had it for a decade.
Unfortunately, products deteriorate over time and so the age of your blow dryer is something you'll need to consider. If you are in the market for a new hair dryer, one of the first things you'll want to look for is how powerful it is. While many professional hair dryers have high wattages of 3600, most people want to look for one with at least 1800 watts. This should be enough power to effectively and efficiently dry your hair at home.
It's also important to note that power is not the same thing as heat. It might surprise you to learn how hot your blow dryer actually gets. While you want your hair dryer to be powerful, you don't want to make it too hot because it can actually burn your hair. Therefore, monitoring the heat settings and avoiding the hottest one can help to ensure you aren't damaging your hair.
Understand your hair type
As with most hair needs, understanding your own hair type is a great first step. While thinner, shorter hair is more likely to dry faster without much fuss, longer or thicker hair could benefit from specific techniques. When you start to blow dry your hair without a plan, you are simply guessing how long to stay in each place, which can delay the overall drying process.
Instead, professionals actually recommend sectioning off your wet hair and focusing on smaller areas. According to Sam Villa, skipping the hair sectioning not only drags out the drying process but can lead to unwanted frizz. Purchasing hair clips and dividing your hair into three to five sections can help you ensure each section is dry before moving on to the next one.
This is also a great way to avoid those unwanted damp spots that go unnoticed until you think you're done drying your hair. Your technique is also important when it comes to quickly blow-drying your hair. Ideally, try to target your roots first, since this is where your hair is the thickest and healthiest. This can also help to minimize heat damage or breakage on your strands.
Make your showers cold
People have been touting the health benefits of cold showers for quite some time. However, if you don't have it in you to brave the freezing cold waters for your entire shower, there are still a ton of benefits you can get from just rinsing your hair in cold water before turning off your shower.
Since hot water can actually dry out your hair, leaving it more brittle and prone to split ends, opting for slightly warm water during the majority of your shower is a great start. On top of that, giving your hair a final rinse with cold water at the end of your shower helps your hair seal in its moisture.
This is because cold water actually closes off your hair cuticles. It also helps to keep your scalp hydrated and protects it from excess oil by closing its pores. Interestingly, the benefits of cold showers for your hair don't end there. Because the cuticle layer of your hair is sealed off, your hair will actually dry much faster once you're out of the shower.
Invest in a good conditioner
The products you are using on your hair while you are in the shower can also have a significant impact on the blow-drying time that your hair needs afterward. While conditioners are great for detangling hair and can make the post-shower brushing go much smoother, they also moisturize your hair and can prevent frizz. Therefore, it's important to know when it's time to deep condition your hair.
Celebrity hairstylist David Stanwell explained to John Frieda that a good conditioner helps to "realign the hair fibers" which reduces the frizzy look once it's dry. Regularly conditioning your hair can also help it dry faster because of the specific ingredients in the product.
According to Allure, many conditioners contain silicones because of their ability to leave hair smooth. Silicones create a "waterproof coating" that helps your hair stay hydrated internally while also inhibiting moisture from the environment to get through. Due to these water-repellant properties, you'll find that blow-drying your hair after using a good conditioner significantly speeds up the process. While using a hair dryer can feel tedious at times, combining these tips can help the task feel a little more manageable.