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Contrary to popular belief, heat damage from a hair dryer may not be inevitable. In fact, one study shows that blow drying can be better for your hair than air drying (mind-blowing, I know). Apparently the key to knowing how to blow dry hair without damaging it is in part using the correct technique, and also investing in the right blow dryer.
According to a South Korean study published in the Annals of Dermatology, water causes the cell membrane cortex (CMC) that holds the hair cuticles together to swell, which over time damages the hair from the inside out. In the study, hair that was left to air dry for two hours showed more damage than hair that was blown dry. Now to be fair, the hair dryers in this study didn’t come off scot-free either. But it does make a case for finding the right balance between blasting your hair with heat and leaving wet hair to its own accord.
So what is the right balance? The study concluded that “using a hair dryer at a distance of 15 cm with continuous motion causes less damage than drying hair naturally.” It also found a direct correlation between heat and hair damage, with cooler temperatures causing less breakage. And that’s where choosing the right blow dryer comes in: Today’s hair dryers have advanced technology that emit non-damaging, infrared heat and negative ions that break down the water molecule. These safer alternatives to conventional hair dryers along with the right blow drying technique will ensure that your hair stays healthy.
1
A Hair Dryer Packed With Features
Wazor Professional Hair Dryer, $50, Amazon
This salon-quality hair dryer is seriously high-tech. Not only does it feature tourmaline, ionic, and ceramic technology to give you softer, healthier, and less staticky hair, it also gives off far-infrared heat which has a longer wavelength than conventional heat. The longer wavelength enables it to penetrate the cell membrane cortex of your hair cuticles to essentially dry your hair from the inside out, cutting down your drying time and thus the amount of time your hair is exposed to heat. It also has two speeds and three heat settings, a removable lint filter, three styling attachments (a diffuser, a concentrator nozzle, and a wind comb) and an AC motor that promises to last up to four times longer than it’s competitors.
2
A High-Powered Hair Dryer Reviewers Are Raving About
BaBylissPro Ceramix Xtreme Dryer, $60, Amazon
This 2000-watt dryer has almost 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon thanks largely to the ceramic and tourmaline technology it uses to gently dry and enhance hair. Reviewers wrote that it cut the time it took to dry their hair in half and left it feeling "incredibly smooth and healthy." It also has four heating settings, three speed settings and a narrow barrel for maximum air pressure.
3
A Hair Dryer Infused With Volcanic Rock Minerals
BIO IONIC 10x Ultralight Speed Dryer, $329, Amazon
This ionic hair dryer traps moisture in your strands so they stay hydrated while the eco drive motor dries hair super quickly — we're talking in just ten minutes. This dryer is infused with natural volcanic rock minerals which emit negative ions that break down the water molecules, so your hair retains moisture.
4
A Lightweight Professional Hair Dryer
Solano Supersolano 3500 Lite Professional Hair Dryer, $152, Amazon
Most professional grade blow dryers weigh two pounds, but this Solano hair dryer runs on lightweight DC motor which makes it easier on your arm. But while it's light in weight it does pack a whole lot of features, including ionic, ceramic and tourmaline technologies, a 1800 watt motor, two concentrator attachments, and an extra long cord.
5
A Hair Dryer With Over-Heat Protection
BESTOPE Hair Dryer, $32, Amazon
This hair dryer automatically shuts off when it gets too hot, saving you from accidentally singeing your hair. It combines ionic, tourmaline, and ceramic technology to lock in moisture, add shine, and reduce damage. Plus its 1875-watt motor dries hair quickly.
6
A Titanium Hair Dryer For Thicker Hair
blowpro Titanium Professional Salon Dryer, $64, Amazon
Do you have thick hair that's hard to dry? Then this titanium plated blow dryer may be the way to go. Unlike ceramic models, a titanium hair dryer does reach higher temperatures, but it also dries it faster, meaning your hair is exposed to the heat for less time. Used on thick, course hair, it does a better job than ceramic styles at controlling frizz and results in a smoother and silkier texture. This model also features six white LED lights in the base that have antimicrobial properties to decrease bacteria and buildup inside the dryer, and less build up means that the airflow stays strong and safely dries your hair.
7
A Hair Dryer And Diffusor Designed For Curly Hair
Devacurl Devadryer and Devafuser, $135, Amazon
Devacurl's dryer and defuser may cost a pretty penny but it delivers six times more negative ions than any other negative ion dryer on the market. On top of that, it has three temperature settings specifically designed for curly and wavy hair. That means maximum protection for your precious curls. This Devadryer also comes with a concentrator nozzle and a unique five-pronged diffuser (aka the Devafuser) featuring 50 air vents that target air to boost curls and control frizz.
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