Though air-drying has evolved to become the recipient of hair-care accolades over the past few years, a study has now purported the process as being damaging to the mane. While most of us are acquainted with the cons of blow-drying, there are a couple of downsides to air-drying that you must go over, once before deciding what’s best for your hair. Here’s everything you need to know.
Everything You’ve Ever Known About Air Drying Is About To Change
This New Study Disregards All Of Your Beliefs
According to Dr. Joyce Park, researchers in South Korea recently conducted a study to determine whether air-drying truly trumped blow-drying in terms of minimal-to-no damage to the hair. While most anticipated that the results would favour air drying, the study’s findings suggested the contrary. Wait for it.
Apparently — Air Drying Has Been Damaging Your Hair
Apparently — both have been damaging your hair. Surprise, surprise. While blow-drying inflicts a form of heat-induced damage on the mane, air-drying prolongs your hair’s exposure to water. But what does water have to do with damage? A lot.
This exposure to water causes each strand to swell and de-swell and crack — which leads to cell-membrane damage-complex. This refers to the layer between the cortex and the cuticle of the hair. Each strand is now weak, less elastic, and brittle, and even breakage, frizz, and flyaways are rampant.
The study hypothesized that blow-drying affected the surface of the hair while air-drying affected the cell-membrane damage complex. This assertion has been around for a long time; but it’s gaining more attention now. Remember that your hair is most vulnerable when it’s wet. Even raking your fingers through your scalp can uproot a couple of strands.
Which One Is The Lesser Of The Two Evils
The study didn’t leave us hanging. Researchers deduced that though heat-induced damage is a part-and-parcel of blow-drying your hair, you can minimise damage by holding the tool 15 cm away from the mane. Ensure that the heat is at its lowest before moving it around the hair with continuous non-stop motions. This technique does not damage the hair as much as air-drying does.
But for those with colour-treated hair, remember that heat can strip your hair of its vibrancy. Do air-dry in that case. But use a gentle (microfiber) towel to dry your hair just a little until it’s damp. You don’t want to air-dry really, really wet hair. Treat yourself to a silk-based pillowcase and hair tie as after-care. Moisturise your strands with a serum or oil, and you’re done.
The Best Hair-Loving Products For Pre & Post Care
Remember that it’s not just about the pros and cons of blow-drying and air-drying. The rest of your routine does play a part in determining the health and appearance of your hair.
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