To dry wet hair, gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel or t-shirt (don't rub!), then either air dry (best for health) or blow dry with a heat protectant on low/cool settings, working in sections and moving the dryer constantly to prevent damage and frizz, using a wide-tooth comb to detangle as you go.
A good rule of thumb is to let hair air-dry to about 50% to 75% dry BEFORE even turning the blow dryer on. So after getting out of the shower, use a microfiber cloth to blot out most of the water (so it's not dripping) , apply any leave-in you use, distribute with a wide-toothed comb, and apply any styling products.
Air drying is by far less damaging than using high heat. There's a caveat, though: Air drying appears to cause damage to the cell membrane complex, which doesn't happen when hair is blow dried. The least amount of damage occurred in hair that was blow dried at a distance of 15cm with continuous motion.
Opt for a Microfiber Towel
These towels are designed to absorb moisture quickly and efficiently, reducing drying time significantly. A microfiber hair towel can be used to absorb extra water from wet hair in a matter of minutes.
Wet hair when sleeping also can cause damage to follicles and result in hair breakage. Skin conditions: Hair follicles under the skin clogged up with sebum or oil can result in acne. As wet hair harbors bacteria, this can also impact the growth of bacteria in the pores.
Rough drying (that classic scrubbing motion) can raise the cuticle – think of this as stroking a cat the wrong way up. Not only does this reduce shine and make it harder to instil discipline so strands lie nicely against one another, but it can make any weak spots, split ends or damage worse.
Over-moisturized hair looks limp, mushy, and lacks definition, with curls falling flat and feeling overly soft, stretchy (without bouncing back), and heavy, often appearing stringy or greasy, even feeling cool and damp for a long time after washing due to moisture overload and a lack of protein balance.
The Dos and Don'ts of Hair Care
Towel-drying your hair is important to help remove water, so hair can dry faster. Yet, the wrong technique can result in extra frizz, tangles, and poufiness.
If you run your fingers down a strand and it feels coarse or straw-like, your hair is likely dry. Other signs include: Feels rough or brittle to the touch. Looks dull and struggles to retain definition or bounce.
Shake It Out
Giving your hair a quick shake can go a long way when air drying, especially before and after applying styling products that accentuate your hair type. "Shaking the hair out allows air to get through, and that ventilation throughout the hair prompts faster drying," Hurtado explains.
Gen Z loves curly hair because it embodies their focus on natural beauty, individuality, and self-expression, heavily influenced by social media trends and celebrities embracing their authentic textures, moving away from heavily styled looks to showcase unique curls, sometimes enhanced with modern, softer perms. This shift celebrates unique textures, rejecting past pressures to conform to straight hair standards, with styles like the curly-top fade becoming popular for men too.
For shiny, smooth, and straight hair, take note of these hair care tips:
The rarest hair type is generally considered Type 1A, which is extremely fine, straight, and wispy, lacking any natural bends or waves, making it difficult to hold a curl but naturally sleek and prone to oiliness. While curly hair types (Type 3 & 4) are less common globally, 1A stands out as the least voluminous and textured straight hair, often seen in people of East Asian descent, though it's considered rare across all populations due to its unique fineness.
Signs you're washing your hair too much
Signs of hair damage range from split ends and breakage to frizz, dullness to dryness, and can result in hair that lacks strength, shape and shine.
High porosity hair has damaged or raised cuticles causing moisture to escape quickly, leading to dry, frizzy, brittle hair that tangles easily. Signs include quick drying after washing, frizz, tangles, breakage, product buildup, and rough texture.
Use the hair dryer on the lowest, cool setting so you don't heat the hair above the denaturation temperature. As the hair dries, the temperature can be increased since the denaturation temperature increases - you can feel this while drying as the hair will suddenly start to warm up.
10 hair care habits that can damage your hair
Early At Home Heat Sources for Hair Drying
Since heat is a faster way to also dry things out, women creatively used the same heat for hair drying. Picture a woman with her back to the fireplace, running a comb through her hair, trying to evaporate the excess water out.
Sleeping with your hair down leaves it vulnerable to friction, tangles, and breakage, but a too-tight ponytail or bun can put tension on your scalp and lead to damage over time. The sweet spot? A loose braid, a low ponytail with a silk scrunchie, or a soft, high "pineapple" for curls.
When sleeping with wet hair, consider braiding it. Braiding wet hair helps protect your strands, and in the morning, you'll be rewarded with beautiful loose waves. To avoid more friction and keep your hair in better shape, use a silk pillowcase made from silk materials.
If possible, it's best to fully air-dry your hair before going to bed. Even with the help of a silk pillowcase, sleeping on wet hair can create friction, increase frizz, and promote breakage. This is because extra moisture can weaken your hair's structure.