Best Blow Dryer For Natural Hair

There are several ways you can use a blow dryer on natural hair: to dry a wet style like a wash and go, to stretch the hair and/or get it semi-straight, and to help your deep conditioner work more effectively, just to name a few. A blow dryer also comes in handy on those mornings when your twists are still a little damp and you don’t have time to continue to let them air dry. Unfortunately, heat damage is always a risk anytime you use a heat styling tool, However, you’re a lot less likely to experience heat damage from using a blow dryer alone. Flatirons are usually the biggest culprits when it comes to heat damage. With that being said, it’s still important to use your blow dryer responsibly, which means using it as infrequently as possible, using the lower temperature settings, and using a heat protectant if you’re doing a blowout.

If you have natural hair, you want a dryer that’s going to dry your hair quickly with the least amount of heat. Luckily, lots of modern hair dryers are designed to do just that. Many newer models are made with ionic technology, which in simple terms, makes the water in your hair evaporate faster. Most users find that ionic dryers not only dry their hair faster, but they also leave the hair looking and feeling smoother and less frizzy. The best dryers will also come with multiple heat and speed settings. This is important because it will give you more control over how much heat you’re applying to your hair. The cool setting is the safest option and it helps seal your cuticles and set styles. If that blow dryer you’ve been eyeing comes with a diffuser attachment, that’s a plus. A diffuser helps distribute the heat more evenly and it’s great for drying curly hair. Diffusing your hair will also give it more volume. So if you have fine and/or low-density hair and you long for bigger hair, the diffuser is your best friend.

When it comes to quality, you may initially be drawn to the most expensive blow dryers you can find. But the cost is not the only factor to consider when choosing a blow dryer; there are some really affordable options that work great too. The Revlon 1875W Volumizing Turbo Hair Dryer, for example, is a great, inexpensive dryer. It has three heat settings and two speed settings and it also comes with a diffuser attachment. This dryer will help you set your styles quickly without worrying about damaging your hair. If you don’t mind spending a little more money, the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Dryer is a highly rated option. This powerful but lightweight dryer gives you professional results at home. Users praise this dryer’s ability to dry hair quickly and leave it looking shiny and healthy. With three heat settings (including a cool shot) and three speeds, the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Dryer is a great option for all natural hair types.

If you’re looking for a dryer at a price point in between the Revlon and BaByliss dryers, the Berta Tourmaline Ceramic Negative Ionic Hair Dryer is an excellent choice. This model comes with three attachments, including a diffuser. Similar to the BaBylissPRO and the Revlon dryers, the Berta model also features ionic technology to dry your hair faster. This dryer also has a removable rear filter, which makes it easy to clean and keep it running efficiently. As a bonus, this dryer comes in a gorgeous royal blue color. The Jinri Salon Grade Professional Hair Dryer is another great option. Its ceramic infrared technology helps this model stand out from similar ionic hair dryers. It also comes with three attachments and a relatively quiet motor.

For the best results, try not to use a blow dryer on soaking wet hair. Not only will it extend your drying time, but blow drying wet strands can also cause your hair to swell, leading to frizz, and possibly even damage. If you’re doing a blowout, always work in small sections and use the tension method (a technique that involves holding the hair taut so that it remains stretched as you apply the heat from the dryer). It’s also a good idea to use a heat protectant – this step is especially important if you plan to use a flat iron afterward. As previously mentioned, the less heat you have to use to dry your hair the better. If you’re drying a curly style (such as a wash and go), use a microfiber towel to gently remove excess water before drying with a diffuser. To avoid frizz, try not to touch your hair as it dries. And no matter what style you’re trying to achieve, hold the dryer about six inches (or more) away from your hair.

In spite of the dangers of heat damage, you might be surprised to learn that blow drying can actually be good for your hair. Yes, it’s true that exposing your hair to heat for extended periods of time can be damaging (especially if you do it frequently), but when done in moderation, blow drying can actually help keep your hair healthy. Basically, the science behind this theory is that when your hair gets wet, it swells, which makes it more susceptible to damage, and the longer it stays wet, the more damage it sustains. In fact, the study that backs up this theory also found that blow drying your hair for a short amount of time (keeping the blow dryer at least 6 inches away from your hair) actually causes less damage than letting it air dry. Now, this doesn’t mean you should blow dry your hair daily or turn the heat all the way up, but you might consider letting your hair air dry halfway, then using a blow dryer on low heat setting (a cool setting is even more ideal); that way you’ll get to experience the best of both worlds.

If you don’t regularly wear wash and go styles, you might think that the diffuser attachment isn’t all that useful, but there are several benefits to using this attachment. A diffuser helps distribute airflow evenly and helps prevent your hair from blowing all over the place as you dry it. So even if you only plan to use your blow dryer to help dry your twists for a twist out, the diffuser can come in handy. And while it’s not the most ideal attachment to use if you’re doing a blowout/trying to get your hair as straight as possible, you can still use the diffuser to help stretch your hair – this is perfect if you want to give your twist out or rod set a little more length: just blow dry it first to stretch it, then style your hair. Along with a heat protectant product, the diffuser can help protect your hair from the harsh effects of blow drying.

Many people prefer to use a bonnet or hooded dryer to set styles like rod sets, roller sets, and twist outs. However, you can also easily turn your blow dryer into a bonnet dryer with a special attachment like this one. This method of drying uses indirect heat, which is generally much healthier for your hair, but you still want to make sure use a moderate heat setting to avoid damage. This attachment is particularly convenient for travel since it’s much more portable than a hooded dryer. You can also use this attachment to take deep conditioning to the next level. Most deep conditioners work just fine on their own, but applying heat helps the product better penetrate the strands, for optimal conditioning.

To sum it all up, adding a blow dryer to your arsenal of hair styling tools can be a great way to maintain a healthy hair routine and make styling easier. However, finding the right blow dryer for your hair’s needs is essential. Everyone’s hair is different and no one is immune to heat damage, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of blow drying and use the best method for your hair’s needs. When used correctly and in moderation, a blow dryer can be your hair’s best friend, helping you set styles and speed up the time it takes to dry your hair.