Choosing a hair dryer: professional advice

A quality hair dryer is a great investment in the health of your curls. If you choose a device according to the right criteria, your hair will thank you with a healthy glow and perfect structure.

Experts unanimously argue that how and with what exactly we dry our hair depends on their condition and appearance. Even if you don't style your hair every day, but once a week, or even several times a month, too much hot air can damage your hair's structure and cause breakage, split ends, and excessive dryness. High-quality devices, on the contrary, will keep your hair healthy and your time – usually the latest developments allow you to dry curls in less time and give your hair the desired shape. By the way, the shorter duration of exposure to hot air is a good bonus for hair too.

American hair stylist Larry Sims, who prepares many Hollywood stars for the red carpet, spoke about the criteria for choosing a hair dryer in order to style your hair beautifully and not damage it.

5 features to look out for when choosing a hair dryer

Power

By power, hair dryers can be divided into three types:

• low-power, up to 1200 W – these are brush hair dryers and compact travel hair dryers;
• medium power, 1200–1800 W – ordinary home hair dryers;
• high power, from 1800 W and above – professional hair dryers.

Larry Sims points out that it's important to choose the power of your hair dryer according to your hair type.

In general, blondes, especially those who regularly lighten curls, have thin hairs, so they do not require too much air flow. Girls with blond and bleached hair should choose dryers with a power of 1200 to 1800 watts – this is usually enough to dry thin strands. In addition, blondes usually have dry curls, and hair dryers with such power will not dry them out.

For thick and “heavy" hair, you should choose hair dryers with a power of 2000 W or more, they will help to dry thick hairs faster. Such devices will significantly reduce the styling time, and therefore protect the hair from overheating.

Heating element material

It is very important to pay attention to the "heart" of drying – the part responsible for the supply of warm air. Typically, heating elements are made of metal or ceramic. According to professionals, the metal distributes heat unevenly and often delivers too hot air, and this can dry out the hair, make it brittle and dull. Metal heating elements are especially dangerous for thin hair, they can literally burn curls.

Ceramic plates evenly distribute heat and allow you to dry curls more efficiently without injuring them. Some manufacturers also offer appliances with titanium or tourmaline heating plates. Their experts consider the safest for thin and brittle hair. Another advantage of dryers with ceramic, titanium and tourmaline plates is that they do not overheat even with prolonged use.

Temperature conditions

Another important nuance of hair dryers is temperature conditions. Experts recommend choosing devices with at least two or three temperature modes and a separate regulation of the air supply. Hairdresser Larry Sims notes the importance of these features, as safe drying of hair involves a gradual decrease in air temperature. “If you can work with wet hair with a hairdryer set to a temperature of 130 ° C, then it is important to dry it and style it on a brush with a colder air flow, approximately 60 ° C. For this, it is important for us to have a temperature switch. Drying modes should also be adjusted according to hair type. “Fine hair is more likely to be damaged by hot air, so if you often notice split ends, try using the lowest temperature settings,” Larry adds.

Cold air function

Isolated portrait on beige background with copy ad space of a charming woman with collagen spots under her eyes, directing a stream of warm air from a hairdryer to her wet hair and drying it. Close-up

As the experience of experts shows, very few girls use the function of supplying cold air at home. But in vain. It is important to turn it on at the final stage of drying the hair in order to cool the curls and preserve the styling. “Warm hair holds its shape worse, so after you have done the styling on the brush, press the cool shot button and “walk” through the curls with a stream of cold air. So your styling will last longer,” recommends Larry Sims.

Ionization

American hairdresser Larry Sims notes: "The function of ionization is extremely important for drying hair, especially for those who regularly do styling on the brush." Ionization is a relatively new technology in the production of household hair dryers, which allows you to fill your hair with millions of active ions. Devices with built-in ionizers will not allow curls to become electrified, and will also provide rich shine. “It's also good to have a hair dryer with ionic technology because it helps your hair dry faster,” concludes Larry Sims.

The best hair dryers for all hair types

Philips, Prestige SenseIQ

CHI, Deep Brilliance Hair Dryer

Remington, Supercare Pro 2200 AC

Rowenta, Ultimate Experience CV9820

Moroccanoil, Smart Styling Infrared Hair Dryer