In this post, you’ll learn how to dry your hair without a blow dryer and still get the look and feel you need to get by the day.
In fact, these are the same tips I use to give my hair a treat that turns heads and hook eyes on me in the busy streets.
But I need to make one thing clear upfront:
There is nothing particularly wrong with using a hair dryer. In fact, you can buy a hair dryer for less than $100 and use it to give your hair a treat. But if you don’t like the heat effect of the device, then there has to be an alternative, right?
And that’s what we’re going to look at in this article.
So without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Are Blow Dryers Just as Bad?
I don’t want you to have a wrong perception about hair dryers. In fact, they are the best option to dry and style your hair if you’re in a hurry.
But as much as they are popular in the health and beauty space, using them remains a double-edged sword from their time of invention to this very day.
So what are their benefits? What are their shortcomings? And what are the most reasonable alternatives, in the first place?
Why Hair Dryers are Still Good
1. They Reduce Drying Time
Blow dryers and hooded hair dryers for home can dry your hair faster than your typical bathroom towel.
They use ionic technology to break down water molecules into smaller particles that are easy to evaporate.
In practice, the technology speeds up the evaporation process as the heat from the dryer gets to your hair. Usually, the faster the water evaporates, the faster your hair dries.
2. They Prevent the Accumulation of Bacteria on Scalp
As much as water is an important life’s component, there are just places where it can’t stay for long. Well, at least not on your hair.
Here’s why:
When water stays for long on your scalp, it creates a haven for bacteria and fungi to thrive. This not only creates an environment for dandruff to thrive, but also weakens hair’s structure.
Blow-drying can help to solve this problem, really well.
3. Blow Drying Session Leaves Your Hair Soft
There is really more to a hair dryer than just drying hair fast.
They also leave your hair soft, giving you the silk-like feeling that makes you feel comfortable in and with your current style.
To put this into perspective, even the best hair dryers under $50 release negative ions that easily lock in moisture in your curls. It’s this moisture that actually leaves your hair soft and shiny.
4. They Pre-mold Hair into a Style
I’m a big fan of blow dryers for so many reasons, one of which is that it can help you to pre-mold hair into a unique style.
More often than not, they cause less frizzes on your hair and, instead, create a natural feel that you can easily style the way you want.
What’s the Problem with Blow Drying?
With all the benefits listed above, it’s easy to see why blow dryers are as good as manufacturers claim them to be.
Except for one thing:
Blow dryers can actually damage your hair if used incorrectly. When exposed to excess heat, your hair weakens and eventually decreases in volume. Even regular exposure to blow-drying heat can weaken your hair over time.
To be clear, few people ever talk about drawbacks like these, not to mention the fact that you don’t really need them to dry your hair effectively.
So as much as hair dryers are effective when it comes to drying hair, you may want to think twice before you get fond of them.
Here’s How to Dry Your Hair without a Blow Dryer
1. Squeeze and Shake
Squeeze your hair to take out as much water as possible. Then, use a clean towel to dry the hair until it feels dry. It’s best to use a paper towel as an alternative to other options because it helps to reduce freeze with ease.
If you’d rather not squeeze your hair, consider shaking it instead. Pat your hair with a dry towel and then put your head upside down. Shake your head right to left, while using your fingers to loosen your hair strands.
Shaking your hair has a number of benefits, by the way. It not only enables air to circulate evenly but also removes lumps held in by water.
2. Use a Conditioner
Your hair tends to absorb a lot of water as you wash it. So using a conditioner will give it a coat that makes the water easy to slide off fast.
A conditioner also enables you to brush your hair painlessly, while promoting its health.
3. Use a Microfiber Brush or Towel
A microfiber brush is unique because it’s made of safe, soft sponge.
This kind of brush is good for giving your hair a treat because its sponge easily absorbs moisture to dry your hair fast.
Alternatively, you can use a microfiber towel and achieve a similar drying effect. First, divide your hair into sections. Then, squeeze each section in the microfiber towel for a couple of minutes. Release and move to the next section.
Using a microfiber brush or towel can dry your hair within 15 minutes.
4. Use a Wide Tooth Comb and Remember to Sun Dry
The best thing about using a wide tooth comb is that it can easily untangle your hair with ease. It also helps to reduce frizz and the occasional damages caused to wet hair.
For a faster drying using this device, start from one end of your hair going down to the root.
To enhance the drying experience even further, consider getting your hair into contact with direct sunlight.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many ways to dry your naturally.
What’s more?
Each of the blow-drying alternatives is 100% independent of a hair dryer.
Moreover, you don’t have to worry about heat damages, weak hair, or ruined hair texture.
If you still choose to use a hair dryer, especially during those mornings when you’re in a rush to leave the house for work or school, then make sure you use it the right way.
By correct use, I mean not concentrating it on one point for long, not using temperature that is above 45 degrees and maintaining minimal distance of 15 cm from your hair.