Hair
dryers: choosing the right tool for you
Given the ever-growing number of high-tech options available,
many consumers are uncertain how to choose the right hair dryer
to meet their needs. Experts have suggested the following
set of ground rules:
- Higher wattage dryers (1800 and above) tend to work best
for most consumers.
- Multiple heat/speed settings (at lest 4-6)
are a must, as is a cool-shot button to help the style.
- A nozzle
attachment to concentrate the air flow is essential.
- For consumers
with curly hair, dryers with diffusers are the only choice.
Choosing
the right dryer based on price
Selecting a dryer based on price alone is not recommended. Consumers
should buy only as much dryer as they need. Spending over $100
for a dryer only used a few times a year is a waste, but buying
a $10 dryer to use every day can result in damaged brittle hair.
Inexpensive models ($5 to $20) can fry your hair with unchecked
heat, but may work for people who rarely use a blow dryer, or
for those with really short hair who only use the dryer to set
hair products.
Moderately priced models ($20 - $80) usually come equipped with
multiple heat setting and a cool button. Every day users with
normal hair should be able to find a dryer within this price range.
Professional dryers ($80 - $100+) are quieter and faster than
lower end dryers, and will last longer. Ionic and ceramic dryers
can infuse moisture and reduce damage to hair cuticles. Their
powerful motors are more dependable, and their advanced technologies
give a better result in about half the time. Women who regularly
straighten their hair should use one of these dryers.
Choosing
the right dryer based on technology
Ionic dryers use negatively charged ions to smooth the hair cuticle
and trap moisture, thus eliminating frizz and giving hair more
body. Ionic dryers promise faster drying times while leaving hair
shinier and smoother. By banishing static electricity, ionic dryers
also eliminate frustrating flyaway hairs. An ionic dryer will
work for consumers with normal hair that does not require excessive
styling help.
Ceramic dryers contain a ceramic heater that eliminates hot spots
and reduces heat damage to the hair. Because they are self-regulating
and turn down as the heater senses the surrounding temperature,
ceramic dryers rarely come with multiple temperature controls.
By reducing bacteria formation and resisting the effects of weather
conditions, ceramic dryers create luster and leave hair feeling
freshly conditioned. A ceramic dryer is the better choice for
consumers looking for more power from their dryer.
Tourmaline dryers use ground tourmaline inside the heater to
boost the dryer’s ionic power and to dramatically cut drying
time. Several manufacturers offer tourmaline dryers, and some
models actually combine tourmaline and ceramic technology to reduce
drying time even further. A tourmaline dryer is the favorite tool
of consumers who work their dryers like professionals with daily,
heavy-duty use.
The
perfect blow dry
Dryers and other thermal styling tools can damage the hair shaft,
and repeated incorrect use can leave hair looking dull and frizzy.
The following tips may help achieve the perfect blow-dry:
- Invest in a strong medium-sized barrel brush.
- Pull hair
taut from roots to ends.
- As you pull the brush down the hair
cuticle, follow it with the nozzle of the dryer pointing down-
pointing the nozzle
up will disrupt the cuticle
and leave hair looking frizzy.
- With hair wrapped around the brush,
blast roots form underneath for extra lift.
- Work your way around
your head in the same manner, concentrating on small manageable
sections of hair.
- Don't blow your hair completely dry. Allow
the hair to remain slightly damp so that it can air dry. This
helps avoid damage
due to excessive drying.
- Above all, be patient. The perfect blow-dry
may not be fast, but it sure is worth the extra effort!
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