I Have To Blow dry...Help

[KittenLangley]

I don't know what is wrong with my hair. If I let it air dry it is a fuzzy wavy mess, and I would never leave the house looking that way. But, when I do blow dry it, it lays nice and pretty and it's straight ( the way I want it ) I use a vent brush and high heat. I am using Bilolage Hydrotherapy shampoo and conditioner. I always put in lots of Biolage hydro-seal leave in conditioner before I blow dry. But I am still having the split end problem. Is there any products out there that will actually protect my hair while blow drying...?? I know blow dryers are bad and should not be used at all if possible, I just don't have that option. Thanks for any advice.

[Elainehali]

Occasionally I'll blow dry my hair when I'm in a hurry.

I think that if you feel like you must dry it this way, use low heat or the cool setting and dont dry it all the way.

I'd leave the ends damp at least.

Though I find shaking my hair around like a dog does it faster than a blow dryer! I can count it as excersize too. :cheese:

[spidermom]

No, there are no products on the market that protect hair from the wear and tear of blow-drying on high heat with a vent brush. If that gives you the look you want, nothing wrong with that and more power to you. It is going to limit how long you can grow your hair, though. If you want ultra-long and ultra-healthy-looking, you may have to compromise. That is completely up to you.

[HairColoredHair]

My suggestion is, and you may not like it, put the blowdryer away.

It's only hiding issues and damage.

Treat your 'real' hair, it's asking for help. :D

[Sissy]

I don't know what is wrong with my hair. If I let it air dry it is a fuzzy wavy mess, and I would never leave the house looking that way. But, when I do blow dry it, it lays nice and pretty and it's straight ( the way I want it ) I use a vent brush and high heat. I am using Bilolage Hydrotherapy shampoo and conditioner. I always put in lots of Biolage hydro-seal leave in conditioner before I blow dry. But I am still having the split end problem. Is there any products out there that will actually protect my hair while blow drying...?? I know blow dryers are bad and should not be used at all if possible, I just don't have that option. Thanks for any advice.

Hi there, I do not have an answer for your question but just wanted to say I feel as though I'm in a very similar situation as you. I joined recently and also use a vent brush and hair dryer on hot heat. I tried doing as suggested and washed my hair with non-cone shampoo and conditioner and let it air dry. The result... my hair is wavy, frizzy, and unmanageable. It feels coarse and hard to brush through and I feel as though I'm damaging it each time I brush it. Not sure if it's just cause my hair is adjusting to not having the cone. I am thinking about adding blow dryer back in my routine but doing so on the cold setting. However, I'm wondering what would be the best product to apply to my hair prior to blow drying to seal in moisture and prevent damage. If such a product exists that is.

Sissy :o

[Sissy]

My suggestion is, and you may not like it, put the blowdryer away.

It's only hiding issues and damage.

Treat your 'real' hair, it's asking for help. :D

Hi HairColoredHair,

You have beautiful hair! Do you have any suggestions on how she or I could stay off the hair dryer and treat our real hair? I am wondering if I'm doing more damage to my hair by brushing it and it being so coarse and breaking due to it not feeling smooth. When I used a blow dryer and cone leave in serums it was smooth and easy to brush.

[spidermom]

Blow-dryer fans: If the heat is too high to blow onto the skin of your neck from one inch away for 5 minutes, it will damage your hair. You wouldn't expect to find a product which will keep your skin from burning, would you? Same with hair. At least drop down to the warm setting; that will help. You don't have to give up blow-drying completely, but modify it a little. And if you're going to be lazing around the house for a day or two, let your hair rest.

[HairColoredHair]

That really depends on why your hair is coarse. It could have damage, or buildup. Or it could be dry... all of those can make hair 'rough' and tangly. Or your hair could naturally be somewhat coarse.

Heat gives 'false' smoothness and can create a vicious cycle. You use heat, it damages your hair a little, but looks good while you're using it... then you see your hair without heat and it looks bad so you use heat again and it damages it a little more...


Some one else will have more ideas... but I'd say maybe a clarify and then a deep moisture treatment

[Deborah]

I used to stand or sit in front of a large room fan. Works great! Just be sure to sit or stand far enough away that your hair cannot be caught by the fan.

[marajade]

I used to stand or sit in front of a large room fan. Works great! Just be sure to sit or stand far enough away that your hair cannot be caught by the fan.


I'd like to try this sometime!

[spidermom]

I've done the sit in front of a fan thing. It made my hair look very witchy - wild, fluffy, fly-away.

[Pierre]

Sounds like you're a closet curly. Try this: Get in the shower with a comb of at least 4 mm spacing and detangle your hair. If you find small tangles at the tips, snip them off; else pull them apart gently. Pat dry with a towel (microfiber, if you have one) (don't rub, it damages), then air dry without combing, brushing, or blowing. When I do that, I get lots of loose curls.

I find my hair does best with all-natural treatment, including jojoba when damp, washing only with water (baking soda if I need to clarify), and henna every few weeks. In summer I like to braid to align the curls. Other curlies use products to enhance curls.

[manderly]

No, you don't "HAVE" to blow your hair out. It's what you're used to seeing and how you like your hair. You sound exactly like me when I came here. Let me give you a pictorial history and we'll see if our hair is similar.

Me several years ago. This is my hair blown out with a large round brush. This is how I styled my hair EVERY DAY. My hair was not happy. But damn, it looked good, after lots of work ;)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/meprofessional.jpg


This is my hairtyping photo. My freshly washed hair, left to air dry with no help or manipulation. Big frizzy mess, right?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/0819.07summersunshinevo5naturalairdrynooil.jpg

This is my hair around the same time, however I was reapeatedly combing it as it dried. I was utilizing LHC techniques. Oils, CO, poo bars. This is with NO HEAT. Do you notice how it looks fairly similar to my first photo?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/flashlamp.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/CIMG1230.jpg



Fast forward to last month. Here I am (HI!). The only heat I use is on my bangs. They get blasted into submission. My hair is air dried with leave in, lots of oil, and twisted to give it pretty waves. I get a little bit of frizz that I can tame with a bit more oil and a spritz of water.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/f76c6832.jpg

Oh, and look at all these pretty curls and waves I've embraced!!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/th_444b2d86.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/?action=view&current=444b2d86.flv)






My point is the argument that I hear from newbies all the time that they NEED heat is bogus. You just need to re-learn how to style your hair in healthier ways. I am definitely proof of that.

Please, stick around, read up on the forums, learn new things, ask questions, try new ideas, and love your hair's natural texture. When you stop fighting it and start working with it, you will be very pleased with the results :)

[teela1978]

I don't know what is wrong with my hair. If I let it air dry it is a fuzzy wavy mess, and I would never leave the house looking that way. But, when I do blow dry it, it lays nice and pretty and it's straight ( the way I want it ) I use a vent brush and high heat. I am using Bilolage Hydrotherapy shampoo and conditioner. I always put in lots of Biolage hydro-seal leave in conditioner before I blow dry. But I am still having the split end problem. Is there any products out there that will actually protect my hair while blow drying...?? I know blow dryers are bad and should not be used at all if possible, I just don't have that option. Thanks for any advice.

Hi there, I do not have an answer for your question but just wanted to say I feel as though I'm in a very similar situation as you. I joined recently and also use a vent brush and hair dryer on hot heat. I tried doing as suggested and washed my hair with non-cone shampoo and conditioner and let it air dry. The result... my hair is wavy, frizzy, and unmanageable. It feels coarse and hard to brush through and I feel as though I'm damaging it each time I brush it. Not sure if it's just cause my hair is adjusting to not having the cone. I am thinking about adding blow dryer back in my routine but doing so on the cold setting. However, I'm wondering what would be the best product to apply to my hair prior to blow drying to seal in moisture and prevent damage. If such a product exists that is.

Sissy :o

If your hair is rough without cones, there is no good reason not to go back to them. They can cover up damage, but that's not exactly a bad thing.

[Aditi]

I use the same shampoo and conditioner which you are using. Its works great for dry hairs but unfortunately it wont give you your desired result as you use blow-dryer. I agree with members who says that use your blow-dryer at low heat or in cool mode that will help you , or you just air dry your hair that will definitely work. Blow-drying will give you good result but it will be very temporary and the damage it will cause your hair will of long term so choice is yours.

[florenonite]

I think Manderly hit the nail on the head. I never heat-styled my hair (too lazy) but all natural hair textures have beauty to them, in particular if the hair is healthy, and, for most people aiming for long hair, it's better to accept your natural texture and have healthy hair than to heat-style it and have split ends. If you've been using cones, you may wish to continue using them, but I would recommend first clarifying, sitting down and snipping all the split-ends with a good pair of hair scissors, and taking a critical look at the state of your hair. I would recommend going cone-free for a while, and using SMTs (Snowymoon's Moisture Treatment, it's on the Recipes, Henna and Herbal Haircare board) and try oiling to return some moisture to your hair, which is probably quite dry given your blow-drying. Once your hair is healthy again, you can go back to cones if you do feel that your hair is better off with them, but as much as they lock in moisture, they can also lock it out, which is why it might help to give them up for a wee while.

How long is your hair? Long enough to braid or bun? You can try drying it like that for nice, controlled waves. Alternatively, you can wear it in a variety of updos and only blowfry on occasion when you want to wear it down.

HTH!

[Sissy]

That really depends on why your hair is coarse. It could have damage, or buildup. Or it could be dry... all of those can make hair 'rough' and tangly. Or your hair could naturally be somewhat coarse.

Heat gives 'false' smoothness and can create a vicious cycle. You use heat, it damages your hair a little, but looks good while you're using it... then you see your hair without heat and it looks bad so you use heat again and it damages it a little more...


Some one else will have more ideas... but I'd say maybe a clarify and then a deep moisture treatment

Thank you for the info. I think you are right when you say it is like a vicious cycle. Worst of all, when I didn't blow dry it felt so coarse and unruly that brushing it causes it to feel damaged... this makes it extremely hard to not go directly back to heat as my hair normally does look healthy and I'm afraid of all the damage I'll do raking through it now that it's so wavy/coarse/unruly.

Yikes, I have also noticed that when I tried to reply to your post I hit the little R on the side by your avatar and typed in my message. I entered it and then came back to the post to make sure my reply was there... it wasn't.... apparently I've reported your post. I am very sorry :confused: what should I do from this point?

[Sissy]

No, you don't "HAVE" to blow your hair out. It's what you're used to seeing and how you like your hair. You sound exactly like me when I came here. Let me give you a pictorial history and we'll see if our hair is similar.

Me several years ago. This is my hair blown out with a large round brush. This is how I styled my hair EVERY DAY. My hair was not happy. But damn, it looked good, after lots of work ;)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/meprofessional.jpg


This is my hairtyping photo. My freshly washed hair, left to air dry with no help or manipulation. Big frizzy mess, right?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/0819.07summersunshinevo5naturalairdrynooil.jpg

This is my hair around the same time, however I was reapeatedly combing it as it dried. I was utilizing LHC techniques. Oils, CO, poo bars. This is with NO HEAT. Do you notice how it looks fairly similar to my first photo?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/flashlamp.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/CIMG1230.jpg



Fast forward to last month. Here I am (HI!). The only heat I use is on my bangs. They get blasted into submission. My hair is air dried with leave in, lots of oil, and twisted to give it pretty waves. I get a little bit of frizz that I can tame with a bit more oil and a spritz of water.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/f76c6832.jpg

Oh, and look at all these pretty curls and waves I've embraced!!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/th_444b2d86.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/?action=view&current=444b2d86.flv)






My point is the argument that I hear from newbies all the time that they NEED heat is bogus. You just need to re-learn how to style your hair in healthier ways. I am definitely proof of that.

Please, stick around, read up on the forums, learn new things, ask questions, try new ideas, and love your hair's natural texture. When you stop fighting it and start working with it, you will be very pleased with the results :)

Manderly those are fantastic pics. Thank you for taking the time to show us that. I should try to post some pictures of mine at some point. Mine is not as curly as your original is. It's a lot longer and it's has kinda loose crimpy look. Last night after reading some suggestions I did put a small amount of coconut oil in it and that helped it look a tad better but I have to be very careful with the coconut oil as it makes my hair look very greasy if I apply even a little too much. Once I figure out a way to post pics inside of posts (or once I am allowed to not sure if I even have that option now given I'm a new member) and once I've taken new pictures I'll try to post a thread with pics of my hair both natural and blow dried. :o For now, I'm going to try to lay off the blow dryer for non-work days and I'm going to try using only the cold setting on work days. I usually shampoo and condition every morning but perhaps I can cut it down to shampooing every other morning. I will use the non-cone shampoo and conditioner (Giovanni Brand, which lists oils as most the ingredients) and blow dry using cold setting with the protective anti-breakage serum I have (which does contain cones it's called Organix Coconut or soemthing like that)
Sissy :)

[Dolly]

Thank you for the info. I think you are right when you say it is like a vicious cycle. Worst of all, when I didn't blow dry it felt so coarse and unruly that brushing it causes it to feel damaged... this makes it extremely hard to not go directly back to heat as my hair normally does look healthy and I'm afraid of all the damage I'll do raking through it now that it's so wavy/coarse/unruly.




STOP BRUSHING!!!!!! Use a wide-toothed comb or finger comb your hair. You are doing more damage than you can imagine.

And, it does sound like you have some buildup. Do a clarifying wash, use a good moisturizing conditioner, and then let your hair air dry and see what happens. But leave the brush alone, please!!!!!

[trillcat]

Thank you for the info. I think you are right when you say it is like a vicious cycle. Worst of all, when I didn't blow dry it felt so coarse and unruly that brushing it causes it to feel damaged... this makes it extremely hard to not go directly back to heat as my hair normally does look healthy and I'm afraid of all the damage I'll do raking through it now that it's so wavy/coarse/unruly.

Yikes, I have also noticed that when I tried to reply to your post I hit the little R on the side by your avatar and typed in my message. I entered it and then came back to the post to make sure my reply was there... it wasn't.... apparently I've reported your post. I am very sorry :confused: what should I do from this point?

Dont worry about accidentally reporting the post. Moderators are used to "Whoops" things happening. They will read the thread and see it was a mistake.( I modrate a board about rosacea, it happens all the time! We also make a lot of "Whoopsie!" mistakes so don't feel bad! I once accidentally allowed some particularly scary porn to be show on open board, eeek! )
Mini hijack over. :)

[YogaGirl59]

I agree you may be a closet curly or at least wavy. I found when I do blow dry if I use my hands instead of a brush I get a lot less damage. I never use a brush as it seems to make my ends split. Also, if you use you use your hands you will use a lower heat setting, which is much better for your hair.

I'm new to the forum, but have read in several threads about finger combing only. I have tried that this past week and I love the results.

[plainjanegirl]

I don't know what is wrong with my hair. If I let it air dry it is a fuzzy wavy mess, and I would never leave the house looking that way. But, when I do blow dry it, it lays nice and pretty and it's straight ( the way I want it ) I use a vent brush and high heat. I am using Bilolage Hydrotherapy shampoo and conditioner. I always put in lots of Biolage hydro-seal leave in conditioner before I blow dry. But I am still having the split end problem. Is there any products out there that will actually protect my hair while blow drying...?? I know blow dryers are bad and should not be used at all if possible, I just don't have that option. Thanks for any advice.

Hi there, I do not have an answer for your question but just wanted to say I feel as though I'm in a very similar situation as you. I joined recently and also use a vent brush and hair dryer on hot heat. I tried doing as suggested and washed my hair with non-cone shampoo and conditioner and let it air dry. The result... my hair is wavy, frizzy, and unmanageable. It feels coarse and hard to brush through and I feel as though I'm damaging it each time I brush it. Not sure if it's just cause my hair is adjusting to not having the cone. I am thinking about adding blow dryer back in my routine but doing so on the cold setting. However, I'm wondering what would be the best product to apply to my hair prior to blow drying to seal in moisture and prevent damage. If such a product exists that is.

Sissy :o


Have you tried doing the air drying thing but still using cones? There are plenty of us long hairs on here who still use cones. Some people need the cones. Just an idea.

[Dolly]

Have you tried doing the air drying thing but still using cones? There are plenty of us long hairs on here who still use cones. Some people need the cones. Just an idea.

I do! My hair needs cones, because it is very fine and fragile, and I wear it down most of the time. I have gone without, and found that it is much happier with cones. So, if I use a no-cone conditioner (or no conditioner) in the shower, I use a coney leave-in.

The main thing to remember about cones is that they do mask some damage, so you need to be aware. Also, on some people's hair, they build up, causing a multitude of issues. You just need to be aware of when/if your hair needs to be clarified.

[HairColoredHair]

Thank you for the info. I think you are right when you say it is like a vicious cycle. Worst of all, when I didn't blow dry it felt so coarse and unruly that brushing it causes it to feel damaged... this makes it extremely hard to not go directly back to heat as my hair normally does look healthy and I'm afraid of all the damage I'll do raking through it now that it's so wavy/coarse/unruly.

Yikes, I have also noticed that when I tried to reply to your post I hit the little R on the side by your avatar and typed in my message. I entered it and then came back to the post to make sure my reply was there... it wasn't.... apparently I've reported your post. I am very sorry :confused: what should I do from this point?


It's okay. ;) We have clever mods, they'll figure it out. :D

[Chanterelle]

I don't know what is wrong with my hair. If I let it air dry it is a fuzzy wavy mess, and I would never leave the house looking that way. But, when I do blow dry it, it lays nice and pretty and it's straight ( the way I want it ) I use a vent brush and high heat. I am using Bilolage Hydrotherapy shampoo and conditioner. I always put in lots of Biolage hydro-seal leave in conditioner before I blow dry. But I am still having the split end problem. Is there any products out there that will actually protect my hair while blow drying...?? I know blow dryers are bad and should not be used at all if possible, I just don't have that option. Thanks for any advice.

Sounds like my hair is pretty much like yours, except that mine might be more wavy.
I also blowdry it and I do believe the damage is not too awful unless you use it every day. I know, that's an unpopular opinion :)

From my experience:
Try using a diffuser and colder setting instead of brush and high heat, it may help. Or:
Apply a leave in conditioner, gently comb, blowdry on a low setting (so that your hair doesn't "fly") and comb again.
My leave in (with cones) is a spray, so I spray it on my hair once again after blowdrying. Then my hair has a lovely sleeky look.

[Katze]

No, you don't "HAVE" to blow your hair out. It's what you're used to seeing and how you like your hair. You sound exactly like me when I came here. Let me give you a pictorial history and we'll see if our hair is similar.

Me several years ago. This is my hair blown out with a large round brush. This is how I styled my hair EVERY DAY. My hair was not happy. But damn, it looked good, after lots of work ;)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/meprofessional.jpg


This is my hairtyping photo. My freshly washed hair, left to air dry with no help or manipulation. Big frizzy mess, right?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/0819.07summersunshinevo5naturalairdrynooil.jpg

This is my hair around the same time, however I was reapeatedly combing it as it dried. I was utilizing LHC techniques. Oils, CO, poo bars. This is with NO HEAT. Do you notice how it looks fairly similar to my first photo?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/flashlamp.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/CIMG1230.jpg



Fast forward to last month. Here I am (HI!). The only heat I use is on my bangs. They get blasted into submission. My hair is air dried with leave in, lots of oil, and twisted to give it pretty waves. I get a little bit of frizz that I can tame with a bit more oil and a spritz of water.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/f76c6832.jpg

Oh, and look at all these pretty curls and waves I've embraced!!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/th_444b2d86.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/astrauser/?action=view&current=444b2d86.flv)






My point is the argument that I hear from newbies all the time that they NEED heat is bogus. You just need to re-learn how to style your hair in healthier ways. I am definitely proof of that.

Please, stick around, read up on the forums, learn new things, ask questions, try new ideas, and love your hair's natural texture. When you stop fighting it and start working with it, you will be very pleased with the results :)

Excellent post, Manderly, and excellent photographic evidence!

I have to second, third, fourth 'what she said.' I used to think I 'had to' blow dry my hair, too - because I didn't understand my hair type, and had done all kinds of damaging things to it. My hair was crying for help!

I would be willing to bet that you, like me, are wavier than you think, but are fighting this.

Yes, my hair is frizzy still, and will always be a tad frizzy - more or less depending on what I do to it. But it is nowhere near as unmanageable, dry, crispy, poofy, and fried as it was when I came here. In addition to being softer, smoother, and shinier, it is also much wavier.

As Manderly says, stick around and find out WHY and HOW we (even we frizzy haired people) can get away with not blowdrying!

P.S. to be perfectly honest, I do occasionally blowDAMP after swimming and washing it, because it is COLD here and even then 5 min bike ride home from the pool gives me earaches. But I start on hair that's already towel dried, dry only on low and from a distance, and NEVER dry fully. I focus on getting my scalp and ears dry and warm, never more.

[RavennaNight]

As far as switching to no cones at first and letting air-dry at first leading to coarse unmanageable hair, I've been there. The first time for me also warranted tangly, fluffy, unmanageable hair. IMHO, there is an adjustment period. (I went from blowing out and ironing to stopping that) I found as I progressed, used coconut oil and aloe gel, my hair slowly improved. I have blowdried since a handfull of times, but I am finding it is really not necessary any more, even now with the winter. (I thought I'd get sick if I didn't blowdry. Wrong.) Now I alternate, cones, no cones, and I henna. It's not frizzy/strange/floofy and tangly anymore. As I said, I really think there is an adjustment period of experimentation and getting a routine flowing.

ETA:Ooooh! And Manderly gorgeous hair!!!

[heidi w.]

I always put in lots of Biolage hydro-seal leave in conditioner before I blow dry. But I am still having the split end problem. Is there any products out there that will actually protect my hair while blow drying...??


No.

That hydroseal likely utilizes silicone to make the hair shiny and behave well.

I like the Biolage line very much, and use the Biolage Conditioning Balm every full hair wash!

You could try a cooler temp setting on the blow dryer, and you could try holding the dryer further away from the hair. Are you having an increase in white dots? -- where the hair bends at 90 degrees instead of curving? This is an indication of too close and too hot with the blow dryer.

heidi w.

[heidi w.]

I also suggest you take a look at this thread. It may have some suggestions that just might help you.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=16337
Winter Woes now showing on the Mane Forum

heidi w.

[maskedrose]

I used to feel like I had to blow my hair dry if it was going to look good down. Fortunately, I was usually in too much of a hurry to bother with blow drying, so I just wore it in a damp messy bun most of the time - that saved me, I think, from serious damage.

Now I've completely embraced my waves and curls and now that I've found the right routine, I don't even want to blow dry anymore! I'm a huge fan of CO washing and if I'm planning on wearing my hair down I work a small amount of coconut oil through the length. I leave it completely alone until it dries all the way, then I lightly comb it out - the result is my siggy :) My hair is very, very happy now!

Oh, and while you are working on finding the right routine that works with your natural hair, try putting it in damp updos! They look sleek and professional for the office, but are seriously good for keeping moisture in damaged ends. For added benefit, try putting extra coconut oil on the ends before putting it up - I promise that you will have soft, shiny ends when you take your hair down!