Hair dryer heat experiment

[JustPam]

I admit I am a frequent user of the hair dryer, especially now in the winter, living in an unheated flat in Scotland, I just can't sit with wet hair for 1-2 hours like I can in warmer months. Seeing terms on here such as "blow-frying" does make me feel guilty about doing this though, so I was curious to see just how much heat my hair dryer puts out. So I borrowed one of my snake's thermometers (accidentally making him think he was getting fed and got him all excited), held the probe about 6 inches away from the hair dryer nozzle and switched on, went through all the heat settings and the cool blast button and noted down the stable temperatures. The results, in Celcius, are:

Cool blast - 25°
Heat 1 - 40°
Heat 2 - 55°
Heat 3 - 65°

Mostly less than I would've thought, and given that my hair dries in 5-10 minutes alternating between setting 1 and cool blast (averaging in the low/mid 30s I guess, skin temp range), and I do not hold it as close as 6 inches, and certainly not concentrating it on one spot for at least a minute like I did for the experiment, I don't actually feel too bad about doing it a couple times a week!

I do realise that not all hair dryers are created equal, so if you want to do your own experiment I'm interested to see other results and compare :eye:

[arr]

Very interesting experiment! I would never have thought of doing that. I use the blowdryer every time i wash my hair and i dont feel bad at all. I use a low heat and hold it far enough away that my hand feels perfectly comfortable in the stream of air. I dont think blowdryers are bad if used sensibly and with caution.

[lapushka]

Very interesting experiment! I would never have thought of doing that. I use the blowdryer every time i wash my hair and i dont feel bad at all. I use a low heat and hold it far enough away that my hand feels perfectly comfortable in the stream of air. I dont think blowdryers are bad if used sensibly and with caution.

Same here. Weekly wash and my hair is diffuser-dried *every* *time* and I don't regret it one bit. We also use the cool/warm, mostly warm setting. Granted my hair is stuffed into a Turbie first for 15-20 min., then it's air dried for an hour, an hour and a half, and only then the diffuser comes into play. It's only used for 4 to 5 min. because that's all it takes by that time to get it mostly dry.

[LadyLongLocks]

I have done this too!:) I simply tried it with the outdoor type thermometer. I think I held it closer and the temp was warmer than yours.I should do it again. I am a hairdryer fan since the age 12. Now I really need it since its cold by me with winter coming. I also dislike wet hair. As long as I am careful with the dryer I can do it without damage. Use warm and cool and common sense.

[lapushka]

Use warm and cool and common sense.

That should be a motto... or a meme. ;)

[Caraid♫]

cool experiment! I also end up using my blow dryer a lot of the time. Blow dryers can for sure get pretty hot and I could see how they could potentially do a lot of damage, but if you keep it at the lower settings (25 degrees c or even 40 is not that insanely hot at all!) and if you dont keep it on one spot of hair for an extended period of time, I don't think it worth feeling guilty about. There's no getting around damage from flat irons and curlers really, but with a blow drying I definitely think there is a "safe" way to use them!
(also, my hair looks nicer and shinier when I blow dry it ;) )

[vanillabones]

I just bought one for the winter - dun dun dun. I have avoided the blow frier for 4 years but it's a necessary evil right now. I have a newborn and it's winter in my new apartment and I like to sit outside. Blow frying DOES make my hair look more voluminous and that's why I used to be addicted. I thought after growing out natural hair it would grow in thicker and I wouldn't be tempted, but alas. Blow frying is also helping me stretch washes (probably by drying out the roots/scalp more which is notoriously greasy.) I have the ionic ceramic type and use it on low. It only takes 5 minutes to dry it after using a turbie towel, detangling spray, and getting dressed etc. first. I only focus on the roots as well! It's so worth it and I'm guilt-free... for now.

[Verdandi]

I also blow-fry sometimes, and I'm absolutely guilt free! I use cold blast and warm with a diffuser. I tested all the temperatures on my wrist. I figured that if it felt comfortable and didn't burn my skin, my hair would be alright :) Great to actually see some numbers showing temperatures :)

[lapushka]

Aaargh people, stop calling it blow frying. :lol: <cringes>

If a blow dryer is used correctly (no roundbrush, on cool/warm), it's a nice tool to use. As long as you can hold your hand in the airstream without it burning, it's A-okay to use. I'm TBL and use a blow dryer weekly, have been using one since my hair was chin length. I have no splits or white dots.

[vanillabones]

I have a diffuser attachment that came with mine. I've always wanted to try a diffuser but don't know how to use it so what do you ladies suggest?
I read the directions and it says it is used to dry wavy hair and maintain the waves but I always thought it was used to add more volume.
How do you do it?

[lapushka]

I have a diffuser attachment that came with mine. I've always wanted to try a diffuser but don't know how to use it so what do you ladies suggest?
I read the directions and it says it is used to dry wavy hair and maintain the waves but I always thought it was used to add more volume.
How do you do it?

You need to scrunch the hair with the hair diffuser attachment. I doubt a 1b will have much use for it, though!

[Lyv]

I never completely stopped using my hair dryer. I just taped down the cold shot button and use it like that and I don't havd any issues.

[MiamiPineapple]

I don't think blow dryers are that bad...it's the flat iron that truly fries your hair...that and bleach!

[NuclearApple]

I always use the blow dryer, air drying makes my hair frizzy, poofy and gives me headaches, there's nothing wrong with using it if it works for your hair, but always be careful with temperatures!