View Full Version : So how evil is that hairdryer really?
MinderMutsig
September 18th, 2011, 02:20 PM
I keep reading you shouldn't blowdry your hair because it's damaging but I'm not entirely sure why. I get that heat is damaging but a decent hairdryer also has a cool setting and I don't really see why or how that would damage your hair?
I've been doing the curly girl method for a while now and my #1 problem with it is the long drying time. My hair may be fine but with a ponytail circumference of 4.5" there is a lot of it. I never used to wear my hair curly so before I could just get out of the shower, use a microfiber towel to dry it and then damp bun it and forget about it. I also used to do the oil shampoo method which cut my drying time at least in half.
But now I have to wear it down so the curl pattern stays intact until it's dry and I can scrunch out the crunch. The problem is that I never really get to do that because if I shower in the morning my hair will still be damp when I go to bed at night. Washing at night and letting it dry overnight is not an option because I hate going to bed with my hair wet and it messes up and smushes my curl pattern. So I've been using my hairdryer with diffuser to help speed things up.
Maybe I'm missing something obvious but I wonder why the only advice I see here is to get rid of the hairdryer all together but I never see the recommendation to just get a decent hairdryer with one or more cool settings.
My hair dryer has 2 speeds and 3 heat settings. The coolest one is the cold setting and the second one is not even lukewarm. It just blows room temperature air through my hair. I wonder how or why that could be damaging?
pepperminttea
September 18th, 2011, 02:27 PM
For me, it was the tangles. Much like getting caught in a very localised wind. Detangling my hair after it had been blow-dried was always very difficult and often resulted in a lot of broken hairs and splits, even when I detangled gently.
GRU
September 18th, 2011, 02:33 PM
Cool setting, low speed, and diffuser should be fine for your situation.
We call it a "blowfryer" around here because most of the time when someone is using it, it's HOT and HIGH -- frying the hair and tangling it all up.
If you're not doing that, a blowdryer is fine, particularly with a diffuser.
NotInPortland
September 18th, 2011, 02:33 PM
For me, it was the tangles. Much like getting caught in a very localised wind. Detangling my hair after it had been blow-dried was always very difficult and often resulted in a lot of broken hairs and splits, even when I detangled gently.
Same for me, it's mainly the tangles more than the heat if you're using it on a cool setting, plus even with the cool setting my hairs texture feels different and I don't like it. If I ever need to use a hair dryer (which id very very rarely) I always use it on the lowest heat and the lowest speed and my hair still manages to tangle like crazy even though I am being very gentle.
HairFaerie
September 18th, 2011, 02:35 PM
I use a blow dryer on the low heat setting. In the winter time, I simply have to blow dry my hair because it is cold here and my house is old and cold. I am not going to walk around half the day with wet hair in the fall/winter. To me, it's one of those things...I pamper my hair in other ways but I do blow dry on low heat. I use an oil mist before & after I blow dry. I am sure it may be causing a little bit of damage but hey, doesn't everything?
To me, you pick and chose what is best for YOU. If you blow dry and see minimal damage, go for it! What works for some people, doesn't work for all. Some people blow dry every day, some never at all, some people do it once in a while. I do what works for me and my situation. I don't feel guilty about it or let people say it is evil and horrible. If I still lived in Southern California, I would air dry every day like I use to, but not in Northeastern Ohio. No thanks!
Also, with my being shorter for now, I like how the blow dryer fluffs it up. If I didn't blow dry, it would just hang there and look silly and I would feel yucky about my hair. Blow drying and styling with the round brush makes it look a lot better to me and that makes me feel good. That's what it's all about!
I say, blow dry if you want to blow dry! :)
MinderMutsig
September 18th, 2011, 04:16 PM
Cool setting, low speed, and diffuser should be fine for your situation.
We call it a "blowfryer" around here because most of the time when someone is using it, it's HOT and HIGH -- frying the hair and tangling it all up.
If you're not doing that, a blowdryer is fine, particularly with a diffuser. That's how I use it. It takes a while but at least I don't have to walk around with wet looking crunchy curls all day!
It may cause a bit more tangles, I'm not sure. Now that I'm wearing it curly I can't really brush, comb or run my fingers through it anyway unless I'm in the shower with loads of conditioner in it.
Thanks for your opinions everyone!
celebriangel
September 18th, 2011, 04:17 PM
Blow drying is basically the opposite of damp bunning. Damp bunning often results in such shiny hair because it slows down the drying time of your hair, which makes the hair retain more moisture. Blowing your hair dry reduces the drying time, thus causing dry hair for some people - me included.
I've noticed this is more of a thing for curly people, which is why I mention it in your case - I blowdryed once recently and my hair was so poofy and frizzy and dry. I've noticed that the straighties can often get away with blowdrying with no trouble.
Still. I know some finehairs who say that even blowdrying on cool caused damage for them. However, it's much better than other forms of heat styling, and unless you want to aim for extreme lengths I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just be vigilant about damage.
archel
September 18th, 2011, 04:18 PM
Yep, I agree if it's cool and on low with a diffuser, no problem, although it will take a long time, heheh!
I blow dry my bangs, but that's it. Boy it's going to be a cold winter.
luxepiggy
September 18th, 2011, 04:21 PM
As long as you stick with a low heat setting, you'll be fine. It's the high heat settings (>40°C) that can potentially be damaging. I blow dry my hair every wash with no notable issues.
SwordWomanRiona
September 18th, 2011, 04:25 PM
I keep the hairdryer out of my length and especially my ends, but I always blow-dry my hair up to chin length because my body invariably reacts to wet/damp root-hair with colds, sore throats and what not. I use the diffusser and move the hairdryer a lot (at a reasonable distance too), though, so that the hair doesn't get too hot. I haven't noticed any dryness or lack of shine because of my using the blowdryer...and I'm thankful for that, because blowdrying all my roots is a necessity for me.
MinderMutsig
September 18th, 2011, 04:39 PM
Blow drying is basically the opposite of damp bunning. Damp bunning often results in such shiny hair because it slows down the drying time of your hair, which makes the hair retain more moisture. Blowing your hair dry reduces the drying time, thus causing dry hair for some people - me included.
I've noticed this is more of a thing for curly people, which is why I mention it in your case - I blowdryed once recently and my hair was so poofy and frizzy and dry. I've noticed that the straighties can often get away with blowdrying with no trouble.
Still. I know some finehairs who say that even blowdrying on cool caused damage for them. However, it's much better than other forms of heat styling, and unless you want to aim for extreme lengths I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just be vigilant about damage.
I'm aiming for tailbone. I don't think I could handle it any longer. Heck I'm not even sure I could handle tailbone. :o But then my hair has never been past APL so I can't even imagine how one would go about caring for tailbone hair. I'm hoping it will sort itself out as it grows.
I haven't noticed any extra frizz. Quite the opposite actually! After I put in some leave-in I plop with a microfiber towel and do whatever needs to be done. (Get dressed, eat breakfast, etc.) Then I scrunch in some flaxseed gel and diffuse until 80-90% dry and airdry the rest. For shine I use a bit of hairbutter on my hands when I scrunch out the crunch. My curls come out pretty much frizz-free.
FrozenBritannia
September 18th, 2011, 05:13 PM
I've got a question... What is the lesser evil? Hair blown on heat setting or frozen hair? It often gets 40below where I live and wet hair freezes by the time I get to the truck, but is it actually bad for your hair or just uncomfortable?
MinderMutsig
September 18th, 2011, 05:37 PM
I've got a question... What is the lesser evil? Hair blown on heat setting or frozen hair? It often gets 40below where I live and wet hair freezes by the time I get to the truck, but is it actually bad for your hair or just uncomfortable? My guess is they are pretty much equals.
When you blowdry on high heat, the water within the strands expands and pretty much boils your hair from within tearing your hair fibers to shreds. When your hair freezes, the water within the strands freezes, expands, and tears your hair fibers to shreds.
I'd blowdry on the cool setting and protect the hair from the cold by wearing scarfs and hats.
FrozenBritannia
September 18th, 2011, 05:43 PM
My guess is they are pretty much equals.
When you blowdry on high heat, the water within the strands expands and pretty much boils your hair from within tearing your hair fibers to shreds. When your hair freezes, the water within the strands freezes, expands, and tears your hair fibers to shreds.
I'd blowdry on the cool setting and protect the hair from the cold by wearing scarfs and hats.
So much for being lazy this winter! ;)
Thanks, I'll definitely take your advice!
spidermom
September 18th, 2011, 06:12 PM
I don't know how to explain it, but I've noticed that my hair has stayed in better condition since my blow-dryer broke. Maybe it was the dry wind blowing through my hair that dried it out, even though I only used warm at the scalp and cool at the length.
Dars
September 18th, 2011, 08:30 PM
Suprised this article (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=79) hasn't been mentioned yet (unless I missed it), it's the perfect answer hehe :)
Coan-Teen
September 18th, 2011, 09:05 PM
I use my blowdryer every time I wear my hair down, so maybe twice a week, on low heat and finish on the cool setting. I don't have any noticeable damage from doing it. If I'm not careful it can make my crown frizz but that's more from me being lazy and not paying attention to how I'm directing the flow of air. Overall I think the blowdryer is fine in moderation. If you're not using hot settings, it's no worse than wind in your hair. Yes, it can cause tangles, but it's also just air. :shrugs:
Chromis
September 18th, 2011, 09:05 PM
I've got a question... What is the lesser evil? Hair blown on heat setting or frozen hair? It often gets 40below where I live and wet hair freezes by the time I get to the truck, but is it actually bad for your hair or just uncomfortable?
I walk to work all winter, even in temperatures like that and do not have any trouble. I do normally like to time my washes so that I am not going to be out while my hair is drying, but it is not the end of the world for me to do otherwise. I wear a hat in cold weather because my ears and forehead get cold easily and that also protects my hair. A good hat often keeps in enough heat that my hair is nowhere near cold enough to freeze, esp if I put my hood up as well.
Forgot to answer the original post before I hit reply!
I too found the tangles even worse than the heat. I am not a curly, but I would still prefer just to put it up if I do not have time to let it airdry even if it means losing some curl formation. For me I get better waves if I let it dry down but really I wear it up mostly anyhow, so I don't care enough to be bothered. I usually let it get to damp at least and then put it up gently (without combing).
racrane
September 18th, 2011, 10:55 PM
For me, I have such fine hair my hair hates even being blown around, cool or heat. I avoid it like the devil. But in moderation and common sense, others should be fine.
Fufu
September 19th, 2011, 02:22 AM
The heat .... too much heat kills the hair.
I dont mind using it with diffuser and having heat protectant on my hair first.
jojo
September 19th, 2011, 03:56 AM
My hair always seems less shiny and bouncy when blown dried but needs must sometimes and I think I have read somewhere that using a diffuser is a lot less damaging and on a low heat its a win win situation!
Sophie.Bold
September 19th, 2011, 04:03 AM
What I would do in you situation would be air dry once at week, and mist it every morning with water+bit of Co or water+drops of moisture oil.
The cool blowdry will give you tangle meaning that some strands get damaged that could break easier on the future.
I avoid cool blowdry as I avoid strong winds :)
:2cents:
florenonite
September 19th, 2011, 05:14 AM
I sometimes blow-dry my hair in the winter. I figure it's far better for my hair than going outside with it wet (and therefore down) and getting caught in 20 mph gusts of wind.
MinderMutsig
September 19th, 2011, 07:12 AM
I'm not too worried about damage from tangles caused by the airflow. I think that the damage that might be caused by that is countered by the fact that I now only comb my hair every couple of days in the shower with loads of conditioner.
Suprised this article (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=79) hasn't been mentioned yet (unless I missed it), it's the perfect answer hehe :)
I know that article and I agree it's great but it doesn't really answer my question. It only mentions heat styling and blowdrying on high heat. I'm asking about blowdrying and diffusing with low or no heat.
Thanks for reposting the link though. It's a good read!
MinderMutsig
September 19th, 2011, 07:45 AM
What I would do in you situation would be air dry once at week, and mist it every morning with water+bit of Co or water+drops of moisture oil.
The cool blowdry will give you tangle meaning that some strands get damaged that could break easier on the future.
I avoid cool blowdry as I avoid strong winds :)
:2cents: I tried stretching washes and decided it isn't for me. My scalp gets greasy and itchy, my hair dries out and it made me feel miserable. Washing every 3 days or so works best for me. That way my scalp doesn't give me issues, my hair gets the moisture it craves and I feel good because my hair looks good.
I'm still working out how to get good 2nd or 3rd day hair now that I wear it curly but it's getting there. For the 2nd day I sometimes spray with water with a bit of conditioner in it and scrunch in some more flaxseed gel or I just wear it up on day 2 and 3.
spidermom
September 19th, 2011, 08:20 AM
Stretching washes made me miserable, too.
lapushka
September 19th, 2011, 08:54 AM
I keep reading you shouldn't blowdry your hair because it's damaging but I'm not entirely sure why. I get that heat is damaging but a decent hairdryer also has a cool setting and I don't really see why or how that would damage your hair?
I don't get the whole blow fryer thing anymore, actually. I have a blow dryer that has 3 temperature settings next to a cool shot, so it can dry on a barely warm, to warm, to hot temperature as opposed to just hot like a lot of high powered (salon) blow dryers do. If you get a blow dryer, at least get one with multiple temp settings. Same thing goes for flat irons and curling irons, I guess, though they can really do damage!
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