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Home · Natural

8 Best Practices For Drying Your Hair

Sure, you dry your hair every week, but are you doing it the right way? Take a look at these best hair-drying practices for long, healthy hair.

By Deena Campbell · April 7, 2016October 27, 2020
01
Squeeze Your Hair First

Before using a towel to dry your hair, remove excess water by gently squeezing the water from your root to ends.

Getty Images
02
Use a T-shirt Instead of a Towel

Unlike towels, t-shirts aren’t abrasive and won’t leave your strands looking frayed and dry.

03
Use The Cool Air Button On Your Dryer

Blowing a shot of cool air to your newly dried hair will help seal your cuticles, allowing for more moisture to pass down the hair shaft. Remember, use warm or cool, never on high!

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04
Skip the dryer, Use a diffuser

Bring airflow to your hair without disrupting your curl pattern. Diffusers allow air to completely surround your curls while also minimizing frizz. Try:

DevaCurl DevaFuser Attachment, $45.

Sam Edwards
05
Air Dry!

Who needs a blow dryer, when you can use air? Try braiding your hair into four larger sections and letting it air dry. You may find you’ll have more curl definition and volume.

Getty Images
06
Do You Have Low or High Porosity?

Porosity is your hair’s ability to absorb moisture and is broken down into three categories: low, normal and high.

Here’s the test: First, drop a strand of clean hair in a glass of water. If the strand immediately sinks to the bottom, your hair is of high porosity. If it lingers about midway in the glass, it’s of normal porosity. If the strand floats towards the top and it takes a while for it to sink, your strands are of low porosity.

Getty Images
07
Use the L.O.C method, but don’t dry completely

After washing your hair, apply three steps: Liquid (leave-in conditioner), Oil and Cream, but don’t dry it completely before styling. You’ll need the extra moisture for styling.

Getty Images
08
Always Use a Heat Protectant

Heat majorly destroys vital proteins in your hair, so before drying be sure to spray it on generously.

Try: L’Oréal Color Vibrancy Dual Protect Spray, $6.99

Getty Images

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