Is it better to let your hair air dry or blow dry? The answer may not be what you think

Audit expert: Zhang Yuhong

Chief Physician of Dermatology Department, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University

As more and more people begin to pay attention to hairstyle and hair care, washing hair is an indispensable part of our daily life. However, we often face a dilemma: should we let our hair dry naturally or use a hair dryer to dry our hair?

Source: pexpels

This issue has sparked widespread discussion on social media: some people believe that air drying is gentler on hair and will not cause hair damage due to high temperatures, while others believe that hair dryers can dry hair in a short period of time, thereby reducing the time hair is wet, reducing the growth of bacteria, and being more convenient and quicker; some even say that air drying can reduce the use of electrical appliances, making it more environmentally friendly.

Source: A social platform

What is the difference between air drying and blow drying?

Air dry

The principle of natural air drying is to use the natural convection and evaporation process in the air. When the hair is wet, the moisture will evaporate into the air, causing the hair to gradually dry. Natural convection can help the water vapor in the air quickly take away the moisture on the surface of the hair, accelerating the hair drying process.

Since there is no hot air to dry the hair, the heat damage to the hair caused by natural air is greatly reduced . This method is not only gentler on the hair, but also helps save energy and reduce carbon emissions at the environmental level because it does not require the use of electricity or other energy. In addition, natural air drying can reduce static electricity in the hair and make the hair more naturally smooth. However, on the one hand, it takes a lot of time to wait for the hair to dry completely in a humid or cold environment; on the other hand, hair that is naturally air-dried may not be as easy to style as hair that has been blow-dried .

Source: pixabay

Dry with a hair dryer

Obviously, the principle of a hair dryer is to use the wind and heat generated by the rotation of the motor to dry the hair. It usually has different wind and temperature settings, which can be adjusted as needed. It can not only dry the hair quickly and save time, but also help to shape the hair, making the hairstyle easier to manage . Most importantly, it can be used in any environment without relying on natural wind or sunlight. Of course, hair dryers also inevitably have some disadvantages - if used for too long, the dry wind may cause moisture loss, causing heat damage, and the hair will become brittle and easy to break . Even if you use anti-dandruff shampoo and a hair dryer at the same time, it will aggravate dandruff.

Source: pixabay

Do different hair dryers have different effects on hair?

If we have to blow-dry our hair because of limited time, how should we choose a hair dryer as a necessary tool?

First, let's look at the hot air temperature. Different temperature levels such as cold air, warm air and hot air have different performances in terms of air drying speed and hair protection, and their effects are determined by the principles of heat conduction and water evaporation. In cold air mode, the hair dryer will inhale the surrounding air and accelerate it through the fan and then discharge it in a concentrated manner, thereby increasing the air flow rate, so that the moisture on the surface of the hair gradually dries through natural evaporation; in warm air mode, the hair dryer will heat the air through the heating element before blowing it out, which can accelerate the evaporation of moisture on the surface of the hair, thereby reducing the drying time; the hot air mode can evaporate the moisture on the surface of the hair faster, but it may also damage the protein structure of the hair, causing the hair to be dry and rough.

According to the principle of different temperature gears of the hair dryer, you can choose the right temperature to achieve the best drying effect and protect the hair quality. Some high-end hair dryers are equipped with automatic temperature control technology to protect the health of hair. Wind speed is also an important feature of hair dryers. The drying time and effect of hair are affected by different wind speeds. Wind can speed up the evaporation of water molecules from the surface of hair. Therefore, the greater the wind speed, the faster the evaporation rate and the shorter the drying time of hair. However, although high-speed wind is efficient, it is not as gentle as low-speed wind. It will produce greater friction on the hair, causing damage to the surface scales of the hair, which is easy to cause static electricity and frizz .

The most appropriate method

People's physiques cannot be generalized. Choosing the most suitable hair drying method depends on the individual's hair type, schedule and personal preference. Of course, in terms of major differences, we can provide some scientific references: For people with easily damaged hair and more time, natural air drying is a good choice. This can avoid the high temperature and wind force of the hair dryer from damaging the hair. For people with thicker, longer or denser hair, using a hair dryer to dry the hair may be a more efficient choice. In this way, it can save time and avoid the so-called problems of moisture and coldness, making it easier to create a hairstyle or achieve a specific hairstyle effect. In cold or humid weather, the use of a hair dryer can also reduce the moisture of the hair and prevent the hair from becoming wet and uncomfortable. However, it is still necessary to avoid using the hair dryer for a long time when using it. It is best not to use it for more than 15 minutes each time. In addition, when using a hair dryer, keep a proper distance and do not get too close to the hair to avoid scalding the scalp and hair. After use, do not place the hair dryer in a humid or high temperature place. Pay attention to regularly clean the dust and debris inside the hair dryer to keep the hair dryer in good condition.

Perhaps we don’t need to be limited by the so-called two methods. Why not get rid of the shackles and have both? Since we can flexibly choose between air drying and blow drying according to the specific situation, we can also combine them organically - first use a hair dryer to dry the scalp, and then let it air dry until it is completely dry . This can better protect the hair and meet personal needs.

Source: pexels

Some people love to let their hair bathe freely in the warm light under the bright sunshine and feel the caress of nature; while others prefer to let their hair flow with the warm wind of a hair dryer to make it fluffy and stylish. Whether you like to air dry your hair naturally or blow dry it, remember to protect your hair so that it can always maintain its healthy charm and unique beauty. So after washing your hair, would you choose to air dry it naturally or blow dry it? You still need to choose according to the actual situation!