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Drying Hair
The best way to dry the hair is to let it dry naturally. The hair may be
dabbed dry with a towel - over-vigorous rubbing can damage the hair, especially
if it is fragile - and then left to dry slowly in the air. This will retain the
maximum amount of moisture, and natural drying will tend to keep long, straight
hair sleek and will usually allow curly hair to wave naturally.
Many people, however, do not have time to allow their hair to dry naturally,
especially it it is thick or long, or it they have to go straight to work after
washing, or go straight to bed. The easiest way to dry the hair is with a small,
hand-held blow-drier. However, always remember that overheating can dry out and
damage the hair.
You can encourage the hair to curl when blow-drying it by winding the hair
around a brush and holding it in place in the jet of hot air, or by using a diffuser. Blow
drying the hair with the head upside-down can create lift and body.
Alternatively, for a smooth, sleek look, comb the hair straight when drying.
Finger-drying works well for short, spiky or curly hair. The action of the
fingers will help the hair to stand up or curl, and the fingers are gentler on
the hair than a comb or brush. You can also carry out a friction massage of the
scalp at the same time.
Choosing A Hairdryer
Hairdryers will get a great deal of use, so select one carefully. A good
hairdryer will have a range of settings for hot, medium and cool air and
different speed settings, too. A diffuser is fitted to the nozzle to dry curly
hair. The idea is that the diffuser spreads the air-flow over the hair, so that
the curls are not literally blown away.
Choose a hairdryer with the potential for high power, but of the lightest
weight available. This makes blow-drying, with your hands held above your head
for approximately 15 minutes, much easier. Click here to buy a professional
hair dryer.
Tips for using hairdryers:
- Do not hold the hairdryer too close to the hair, as this can cause it to
overheat and cut out as well as damaging the hair.
- Have the hairdryer on the lowest possible setting that will still have a
good drying effect.
- Start with the dryer on a higher setting, when the hair is very wet, and
reduce the heat to finish off the drying process
- The jet of air should follow the direction of the hair. Pointing the
hairdryer in the opposite direction will ruffle the cuticle.
- Never allow the jet of air to blow direction on to the scalp, as this can
dry out or even damage it.
- Keep the dryer moving constantly to prevent the hair from overheating.
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