Hair dryer FAQs
Which hair dryer is least damaging?
Celebrity hair stylist Timothy David recommends choosing a hair dryer with a good range of heat controls that promises to be gentle on your hair. “Think about how much you will use the hair dryer in relation to how much it costs, and whether it has the right tools for your hair type and what you’d use them for,” he says.
“Hair dryers with ionic technology are good at drying your hair at a faster rate on a lower temperature. They release negatively charged ions that break up water particles, sealing the hair particles to help prevent frizz. Ceramic hair dryers are also good at heating up quickly and distributing heat evenly, protecting your hair from excess damage. Dyson uses infrared technology to measure the distance of the machine and the hair so it can adjusts the heat automatically to protect the scalp.”
Is it good to use a hair dryer every day and can a hair dryer cause hair loss?
Timothy points out that using a hair dryer every day can be detrimental to your hair health. ‘It’s not good to use any heat tool too much,’ he says. “If possible, try to dry your hair naturally with a good leave-in conditioner at least once a week. If you do need to blow-dry your hair every day I recommend using the right protective products for heat and a good shampoo and conditioner without silicone. I’ve never heard of a hair dryer causing hair loss but pulling too much in a certain area may cause some.”
What hair dryer do the professionals use?
While brands such as Parlux, GHDs and Dyson do tend to be popular for professional hairdressing use, it’s ultimately up to the individual hair stylist what they choose to work with and works for them. “I tend to use a Parlux for everyday use as I like the way it blow dries hair smooth or into beautiful curls. For diffusing hair, I prefer a Dyson,” says Timothy.
What’s the best hair dryer for my hair type?
It’s important to use the right heat setting and attachment to suit your hair type. “Straight hair – particularly if it’s fine – can be quickly damaged by high heat, so a hair dryer with ionic technology and low heat settings can work well,” says Timothy. “A wide tooth attachment is great for smoothing out thick hair too. For wavy, curly, coily and kinky hair types, a hair dryer with a diffuser and low heat and speed settings is a good option. This ensures that regardless of your ethnicity, the hair dryer will protect your hair texture from unnecessary heat damage.”
What’s the best hair dryer for my hair type?
Professional hairdresser Michael Van Clarke shares his expert tips:
- “Avoid excessive colouring. One of the biggest problems I see is unnecessary, excessive colour damage – either too much colour or repeated over and over on the same hair. This leaves it thin, fragile and dull. Find a colourist that cares about hair health and who wants your hair to look its best for as long as possible, rather than making you return asap to spend again.”
- “Don’t get too close – for too long – when drying hair. Resting the nozzle on your hair for an extended period will guarantee over-drying and damage. Try to keep a one-inch distance between your hair and the dryer and heat-style less often.”
- “Steer clear of dehydrating silicone products that smooth the surface and varnish over the cracks in hair. Most silicones are hydrophobic so whilst they make hair look good today, they dry it out in the long run. It may not say silicone on the ingredients list, so look out for the scientific names – cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, trimethicone, or any ‘…conol’ or ‘…cone’ in the ingredients list. Breaking the cycle can be difficult, but you will notice the results.”