Air drying doesn't work for me...am i the only one!!!?

Question

I have thick curly/afro hair, and i looking for the best method of me drying it. My hair is super thick, with a mass of fine wave/coils, that makeup one massive afro. I usually blow dry my hair..but i am increasingly told that blow drying is bad and that i should AIR DRY my hair.

However whenever i air dry my hair, it becomes increasinly dry no matter how much i moisturise, it also SHRINKS in a major way..and is just all togther hard to manage.

So my quetsion is, is it really THAT bad to blow dry on a regualr basis, i.e once a week. What else can i do any other idea's tips (p.s i really don't want to relax or use a chemical treatments,)?? >>>>any suggestions greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

If you have a good diet your hair is probably strong enough to take hair dryers on a regular basis. Afro hair seems to me to be stronger than a lot of european hair.

Mine is european but dark blonde/brown strong and glossy. I use a hair dryer every day and I do mean every day. I can't go out without washing my hair first as it is oily and looks like **** if I don't wash it in the morning.

I have recently bought a Vidal Sasoon hair dryer, I don't know if it's infa red but it has an orange light whenI use it and it does have an Ioniser. I dries my hair quickly and there is no sign of damage to my hair, in fact it makes it glossy.

I think if your hair is average condition or above then you shouldn't have a problem. Unless of course you are using bleach or strong colours.

Air drying makes my hair look like ......well..... nothing on earth really.

PS. I'm 53 and have been blow drying my hair every day for at least 35 years, not a split end in sight.

Answer 2

Hi, i have the same type of hair as you it goes in to a ball of fluff and frizz if i use a hair dryer and like you say if you leave it to dry naturally it still feels really dry no matter if you use conditioner ot not. and i cant do out with it. I now use an hair straightener and my hair has never been better. You will need high heat one though as any think lower than 200 wont straighten it at all You some salons straigten it for you for about a £5 so if you as if they can run the hair straighteners over you hair you will see what difference they make.. I also find that if i use only shampoo my hair is much easier to manage, but then i get worried and think iam damaging it because i dont use conditioner. Sometimes you can use too much conditioner and it dries out healthy areas. Gliss shampoo and conditioner, it repairs the damaged areas and doesnt over treat healthy areas. All i do now is blow dry it and then straigthen it but also i use a heat protection spray.

Answer 3

I think the best way to dry your hair on a regular basis would be with a diffuser. It will stop the burn that many blow dryers cause. You may also want to try flat ironing your hair and wrapping it at night, although if you sweat a lot or get your hair wet - it will curl at the root. Try the website below, and see if they have some alternatives to styling your hair, it may make it more manageable, and they have before and after pictures as well. Maybe you should try finding an ethnic hair salon, where they style hair like ours and ask them for some tips. I have the same problem, but I have solved it by using a texturizer to tame my curls. But there are plenty of alternatives out there to chemical treatments!! Hope this helps!!!

Answer 4

First... let me say that You know your hair better than anyone..... if blow drying it is working for you...and not drying it out to bad, keep doing it. I would suggest maybe stepping up the deep conditioners and hot oil treatments.
ALSO use a good... top of the line heat protectant... they really do work. every time you blow dry.
I blow dry mine every day of the week, and use a heat protector, and mine is still healthy and shiny. It also helps to use good salon shampoo's and conditioners.

Answer 5

No it's not bad. I'm a white female with thick curly hair that's been highlighted. I only wash my hair about every 5 days and blow dry it then to get it fluffy. It's then good to go. It won't hurt to blow dry unless you do it every day for years.

Answer 6

Mine does the same!! I have to blow dry it or it takes all day to dry and it goes all dry and frizzy - i cant do anything with it!! I use a blow drying protection spray now - it adds moisture and makes it more managable too. Tresemme and Lee Stafford do good ones. I also use a leave in contioner. My hair seems to be in good condtion so i guess it works!!

Answer 7

As long as your hair is healthy, don't worry about what other people say. If you are blow drying your hair now, and that works well for you, keep doing it. If you find you are getting split ends, try using Thermasilk shampoo and conditioner. It is supposed to protect your hair from heat damage.

Answer 8

i have the same exact problem..my hair is also wavy/curly but from the way youre describing it i dont think mine is as thick as yours nor do i have an afro..when i airdry my hair becomes reallyy reaallyyyy frizzy too..instead of blowdrying or air drying consider gelling it or styling it with some products..i asked a question about my hair and air drying..go check it out..ppl gave some good answers =]

Answer 9

I would say once a week is fine. You need to look at the texture of your hair and determine if it is getting damaged from the heat. Do you have alot of breakage or split-ends? Then yes, your hair is getting damaged. Also as others have said you should use a heat protectant when blowdrying.

Answer 10

Do what works best for you and makes you happy. Try using products that protect your hair from the heat.