Is Air Drying Actually Good For Your Hair?

We’ve all heard the speculation: air drying is better for your hair than using a blowdryer. But is this true? And if so, why? We’re getting into the facts about air drying versus blow drying so that you can decide for yourself!

Why Air Dry?

You might choose to air dry your hair if you’re prone to scalp sensitivity or dandruff. It can help prevent dryness and itchiness on the scalp, as well as better maintain hair’s moisture. Air drying also protects the cuticle, or outer layer of each hair strand, making your hair look and feel smoother. Finally, air drying is said to help maintain color-treated hair longer, reducing the amount of salon visits needed to maintain vibrant color long term. Air drying is a great alternative to blow drying, which can cause heat damage, breakage, and dryness.

Why Blow Dry?

Blow drying can be a better option to save time and ensure your hair has a smooth, shiny look. You also might consider blow drying if air drying starts to weaken your hair over time. When hair is left to air dry, the cell membrane complex layer of the hair starts to swell. If you wash your hair frequently, the repeated swelling and de-swelling of the hair can provoke thinning and breakage.

Which Should You Choose?

There are pros and cons to both! While air drying can weaken your strands due to excessive swelling and de-swelling, blow drying can cause heat damage to the surface layer of the hair. We propose a compromise: Combine the two!

When you finish washing your hair, pat it dry and gently squeeze out the excess water with a towel. Use a fortifying hair product, like Jousse Vitality Spray, to lock in moisture while enriching the hair with vitamins and protecting it from heat exposure. When hair is no longer wet, but just damp, use your blow dryer or a blow-drying brush like the StyleDryer Pro on its lowest setting. Once the hair is 80 percent dry, gently brush it out. Now, you can begin your styling process using slightly higher heat to lock in your look.

Do you prefer air drying or blow drying? Let us know in the comments!