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Though there’s a growing trend of people turning to non-heat-based styling methods, using a hair dryer is still an extremely popular way to dry your hair after a bath or shower. But is blow-drying your hair bad, and can it cause damage? And what about air drying your hair, is it bad?
In this article, we debunk the commonly held myth that blow drying your hair is bad and explain in detail how to blow dry your hair correctly to keep it moist, healthy, and hydrated.
Is blow-drying your hair bad?
Blow drying does not have a negative impact on your hair, provided that you do it correctly. However, if you use a low-quality hair dryer and consistently use hot air, you can damage your hair follicles, causing them to dry out and break.
Therefore, to blow dry your hair safely and correctly, you need to invest in a high-quality blow dryer that features adjustable heat settings. This means you can switch to low or medium heat to dry your hair, preventing accidental heat damage and keeping your follicles moist. Select our Laifen SE Lite Hair Dryer to enjoy its features: Smart Temperature Control, Versatile Nozzles, High-Speed Drying.
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Is it bad to blow dry your hair every day?
Is blow-drying your hair every day bad? First and foremost, blow drying your hair every day is unnecessary. If you’re not in a hurry to get off to work or school in the morning, it’s a good idea to let your hair air dry while you go about some other business.
Also, as you shouldn’t wash your hair every day, you can even wrap your hair when going for a bath or a shower to prevent it from getting wet. This way, you won’t need to dry it after bathing. Here: Know about how often to wash your curly hair.
To protect your hair, you should blow dry it 3-4 times per week, using low or medium heat and following the tips listed above. This way, you can safely dry your hair without it breaking or drying out.
Is blow drying hair with cold air bad?
Blow drying with cold air? Actually, it’s not bad but more like a secret weapon for healthier hair!
Cold air doesn’t strip your hair of moisture like hot air can. In fact, it helps lock in that moisture and smooths the cuticle, which is why it’s often used at the end of a blow-dry session. Also, it’s much gentler on your strands, so no damage from excessive heat.
The only downside is that cold air doesn’t speed up the drying process as much as hot air. So if you’re pressed for time, it might not be your go-to for the entire drying session. But if you’ve got a few extra minutes and want that polished finish, it’s a solid move.
How to blow out hair with cold air?
Step 1. Towel-dry your hair at the beginning. Cold air can’t evaporate water fast, so get rid of excess moisture first.
Step 2. Use a wide-tooth comb, then divide your hair into 3–4 sections for control and even drying.
Step 3. Set your dryer to the cold air mode (look for the snowflake icon). Attach a concentrator nozzle for precision. Laifen Swift Special and SE comes with a concentrator nozzle.
Step 4. Use a round or paddle brush to stretch each section taut while guiding the cold airflow downward.
Step 5. Once dry, give your hair an all-over cold blast to seal the look, reduce frizz, and add shine.
Is blow drying hair with hot air bad?
Blow drying with hot air? It’s not inherently bad, but it does come with a few caveats, kind of like anything in life, right?
When you use hot air, it speeds up the drying process, which is great when you’re in a rush. But here’s the catch: prolonged exposure to high heat can damage your hair over time. It can strip away natural oils, leaving your hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Not the vibe we’re going for!
That said, if you’re careful, hot air isn’t a dealbreaker. A heat protectant spray is a game changer, and you can choose to blow dryer on a lower heat setting, or alternating between hot and cool air, helps balance the drying process while minimizing damage.
How to blow out hair with hot air?
Step 1. Towel-dry your hair, apply heat protectant evenly, and detangle to prevent snags.
Step 2. Divide your hair into 4–6 sections; clip them up so you can focus on one at a time.
Step 3. Using a round brush, pull each section taut while following closely with your blow dryer on medium to high heat.
Step 4. Always aim the nozzle downward—from roots to ends—to smooth the cuticle and boost shine.
The verdict
The bottom line is that blow drying your hair is not harmful or dangerous if you do it correctly. You must use a high-quality dryer like the Laifen Swift Special and set it to low or medium heat to prevent heat damage.
You can also make subtle adjustments to how you wash and towel dry your hair to ensure it is moist and hydrated as you blow dry it.
Feel free to dive into our FAQs below for more details on how to blow dry your hair safely to prevent it from drying out.
FAQS
Q1: Is blow-drying 4c hair bad?
It’s safe to blow-dry 4c hair, but you need to guard against heat damage, as 4c hair is susceptible to frizz when it dries out. Therefore, you should always use the low or medium heat setting on dryer as this will prevent your 4c curls from drying out.
Q2: Is blow-drying bad for curly hair?
No, blow drying curly hair is not bad. In fact, it’s the best way to efficiently dry curly hair, particularly if you use a diffuser attachment. A diffuser spreads the air throughout your hair effectively and ensures that you don’t just focus on one section of your hair. As a result, it can define and enrich your natural curl pattern.
Q3: Is blow-drying bad for natural hair?
You can blow dry natural hair without any issues. Hydration is key when drying natural hair, so use a hydrating shampoo to wash it and switch to the low or medium heat setting to prevent overdrying.
Q4: Is blow-drying your hair as bad as straightening it?
Hair straighteners tend to be more damaging for your hair, particularly if you use them frequently. The best way to protect your hair from heat damage is to apply a heat protectant and to use your straighteners sparingly, ideally no more than once or twice a week.
Q5: Is blow-drying hair with cold air bad?
No, blow-drying your hair with cold hair is a great option. This is the most effective way of blow-drying your hair consistently without causing it to dry out. If you feel that it’s taking too long, you can increase the temperature to the medium setting, which can also be highly effective.
