You in all probability know that coloring and utilizing sizzling styling instruments (like straightening and curling irons) in your hair will be damaging. However do you know that the overall drying course of—whether or not you're utilizing a hair dryer or just air drying—will be dangerous should you're not mild? "Hair is weaker when it’s moist, because it's already stretched to its elastic restrict, so it's essential to be very cautious. If you’re tough, you’ll be able to simply snap strands," says Anabel Kingsley, model president and consulting trichologist at Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic. Right here, all of the methods you might be hurting your hair whereas drying it—and tips on how to appropriate them, stat.
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You are too vigorous with the blow dryer.
Utilizing excessive warmth, holding your dryer too near your head, or persevering with to blast away after your hair is dry sufficient can break its bonds and proteins, Kingsley says. This makes your mane fragile, weak, and inclined to separate ends. Hair additionally turns into much less manageable, porous, dry, and uninteresting, provides Angela Soto, hairstylist and proprietor of Baja Studio in New York Metropolis. To mitigate harm, Kingsley recommends utilizing a low to medium warmth setting, holding your dryer about 12 inches out of your head, and turning your dryer off when your hair is simply dry. You too can defend strands with a warmth protecting spray, like Caviar Anti-Ageing Restructuring Bond Restore Go away-In Warmth Safety Spray ($32, sephora.com).
You are roughly towel drying your hair.
Rubbing coarse towels towards your hair can wreak havoc on its cuticles. "It could make your hair frizzy and prevents pure moisture from setting in," Soto says. (To not point out the truth that twisting the hair tightly on prime of your head when moist can pull at your hairline and weaken strands, she provides.) As an alternative, Soto advises wringing out a lot of the water together with your arms, after which use a smooth cotton towel or t-shirt to softly take in the remaining. The floor of the strands will preserve their pure form, subsequently decreasing frizz.
You are air drying your hair when it is chilly outdoors.
Whereas going outdoors with moist hair in the summertime is okay, keep away from skipping out the door with moist hair in freezing temperatures. "Hair, like pores and skin, is extra delicate in a colder local weather," Soto notes. "The hair is extra immune to drying and stays in a extra fragile state longer, making you extra prone to breakage and dry ends." Imagine it or not, should you're out lengthy sufficient, your hair may really freeze and break off.
When you can't wait to go outdoors with dried hair, Soto recommends utilizing a leave-in conditioner—strive It's a ten Potion 10 Miracle Immediate Restore Go away-In, ($24.99, ulta.com)—or an argan oil, which can add moisture that hair lacks when moist and uncovered to chilly air. "Carrying a protecting hat like a beanie till you will get indoors is a good suggestion, too, to place a barrier between your hair and the chilly," she continues.
You are brushing whereas your hair is moist.
As a result of strands are so delicate when moist, they will simply snap whenever you brush them. Use a comb with medium to widely-spaced tooth. "Begin at your ends and gently and regularly work your approach up," Kingsley says. says. Utilizing a detangling spray, like Oribe "Run-Via" Detangling Primer ($37, www.nordstrom.com), beforehand may assist lower traction.
You are utilizing equipment earlier than your hair is dry.
Don't attempt to type your hair right into a half-up, half-down look or pop in barrettes, bobby pins, or ponytails whereas it's damp: These equipment can break susceptible strands. Wait till your hair is absolutely dry—after which go for it. Once you do, make sure to use fabric-covered ponytail holders, which don't create unsafe traction.