Sounds like a case for air-drying, but get this: The study found that while the heat of a dryer can cause more damage than not using one, using a hair-dryer at the right distance and temperature can actually cause less damage than letting hair air-dry. That's because when hair comes in contact with water, it swells.
Hair is most vulnerable to damage when it is wet.
The results documented in the published paper referenced above show that letting hair dry naturally causes the cortex (the thickest layer of hair) to swell and become weaker, as the swelling puts pressure on the delicate proteins that hold hair together.
When used timely and moderately, blow drying is better for scalp and hair. Air drying (like over washing) over an extended period can cause scalp to compensate, over produce oil leaving hair more oily, and causing you to fight the imbalance with more and more shampoo for oily scalp and hair.
The best way to dry your hair is to let it air dry under the fan as much as possible. However, some experts believe combining air and blow-drying is healthier than just air drying. It is good to let your hair air-dry seventy percent of the way and then blow-dry till they become dry ultimately.
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. The right ways to air dry hair include gentle drying techniques. It's best to use your towel to squeeze water out from your hair.
Use a soft t-shirt or microfiber hair towel. Continue to remove excess water by gently blotting and squeezing with your soft t-shirt or microfiber hair towel. If you have long hair, tie your hair up into a turban and let the microfiber towel absorb the rest of the excess water for 10-15 minutes.
Normal porosity hair allows moisture to pass into the cortex as needed, but resists permitting too much water to penetrate. Repeated works by various research groups have found that healthy hair of average porosity can absorb water up to a maximum of 31.1% by weight.
By not drying hair at all after a shower, the water droplets stay in your hair, which makes your hair swell up. This swelling causes damage to the proteins that make up the structure of your hair. When these proteins are impacted, your hair looks and feels rough (cue frizz).
People with oily hair or who use hair care products daily should consider washing their hair once every 1–2 days. People with dry hair can wash their hair less frequently. Those with textured or coily hair should only wash it once every 1–2 weeks.
On top of breakage, air-drying can also increase frizz, build-up, and mildew, especially for afro-textured and curly hair. "Hair that stays wet or damp for a long period can attract bacteria and fungus, especially if you have very dense hair," explains Jennie Roberts, a celebrity hairstylist and texture hair educator.
Wet hair is far weaker than dry hair, being more susceptible to breakage and damage from just about anything – heat and pulling on the hair strands are more likely to damage wet hair than dry. Hair is made up largely of a number of proteins called keratins.
Bacteria thrive in a warm, damp environment, much like your pillow and scalp when you go to sleep with wet hair. This provides the ideal environment for bacterial growth which can in turn lead to build-up, inflammation, and redness.
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.
Dryness: Hair that is lacking moisture may feel dry and brittle to the touch, and may be prone to breakage. Dullness: Hair that is lacking moisture may appear dull and lackluster, with a rough and uneven texture. Fizziness: When hair is dehydrated, the hair cuticles can become raised, leading to frizz and tangles.
However, too much protein can lead to dryness and breakage. It is especially in hair that is already dry or damaged. On the other hand, moisture helps hydrate the hair and prevent frizz. Moreover, making it essential for hair that is dry or lacks shine.
It's smooth and soft to the touch.
Depending on how your hair feels to the touch, you might be able to quickly and easily determine if your hair is healthy. "If your hair is properly moisturized, your hair will be smooth and soft when you run your fingers through," Fink said.
The Dangers of Improper Drying. Towel drying your hair with a regular towel can cause your hair to experience major frizzing and even splitting. When your hair is wet, it's in its most fragile state. It's essential that you treat it delicately while drying it for this very reason.
“Aggressively drying your hair with a towel results in frizz and tangled hair,” Branch tells Allure. “Rather, dab your hair with an old or unwanted T-shirt for a smooth and absorbent approach, then gently squeeze out the moisture so that your hair is no longer dripping wet.”
A lot of people need around 40 minutes for their hair to dry naturally.. I need 40 min for diffusing (blow drying). We all have different air drying times. You could try airdrying under the sun or stand next to a heating device or dehumidifier to decrease drying time.
Heat is damaging to hair, so blow drying with cold air is a healthier choice for your mane. It would take a long time to dry and style damp hair using only cold air, but cold air is great for touching up dry hair or setting a heat style.
“Braiding your hair when damp or tying your hair in bun and letting it air dry, will give your hair texture and soft natural waves,” recommends Oberoi. “Braiding holds the hair taut, which helps it dry smoother and minimises frizz.