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Whilst leaving your hair to air dry is the best way to preserve your natural hair pattern, some days we need our hair care routine to match our busy lives. This is particularly true if you have thick hair as the drying process can take hours if left to air dry. Here are the 10 handy steps on how to dry hair quickly for the days that we don’t have the luxury of air drying:
Step 1: Squeeze Out Excess Water
Before jumping out of the shower, use the praying hands method to gently squeeze any excess water out from your hair. To do this, place your hands together in a prayer position with a section of hair in the centre; starting at the top of your head, glide your hands down until all excess water is removed.
Step 2: Stay Out of Humid Environments
I know it can be tempting to do your makeup in the bathroom, but if you are looking to dry your hair as fast as possible, staying in a humid environment is only going to prolong drying time. Opt instead for a well-ventilated area or near an open window to support your hair in drying faster.
Step 3: Towel Dry
Switching to a microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt from a traditional towel will not only be gentler on your hair but they also absorb water better. Begin by gently plopping your hair upward motion to remove water without causing friction to the hair follicle. This technique helps to prevent your hair from frizzing as it works with your natural hair pattern and is gentle on the follicles. Remember that your hair is most vulnerable when wet, so be gentle with your motions.
Step 4: Absorbent Hair Wrap
If you are seeking to speed up the hair-drying process without using a hair dryer or wish to cut down on hair-drying times, using an absorbent hair wrap to soak up any additional moisture before leaving your hair to air dry is a great option.
Step 5: Choose the Right Hair Product
Selecting the right products can work wonders for hair drying time. Leave-in conditioners or hydrating sprays designed for quick drying are particularly beneficial. This is because they contain ingredients that lock in nutrients whilst facilitating water evaporation. After towel drying your hair, apply a leave-in conditioner or hydrating spray evenly throughout your hair.
Step 6: Apply Heat Protectant
Using a heat protectant will not only speed up drying time but also protect your hair from heat damage caused by heat styling tools. After towel drying your hair, spray a heat protectant evenly throughout your hair and move to the next step. Keep in mind you can apply a heat protectant to your hair instead of or in addition to a leave-in conditioner. This dual protection gives your hair an extra moisture boost and ensures your hair stays shielded while exposing it to heat styling tools.
Step 7: Use a Wide-Tooth Comb
After applying a leave-in conditioner or heat protectant, use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair. Starting at the tips and working your way up through to the roots will help separate your hair from clumping together and allow for quicker drying. It also protects your hair from breakage as it causes the least amount of friction.
Step 8: Divide and Conquer
Next you want to section your hair as doing so is going to speed up the drying process and give each section equal attention to drying. Using a claw clip or coiled hair tie, begin dividing your hair into sections. You want to avoid using traditional hair ties as they can pull on your hair and cause unnecessary breakage.
Step 9: Use a Hair Dryer or Diffuser
Investing in a high-quality hair dryer or diffuser with multiple heat settings will do wonders for your hair. Always begin with a low heat setting after applying a heat protectant and gradually increasing the temperature as needed. Work through each section of hair evenly before moving on to the next to ensure not to overheat one section.
@dudushair Cold air seals the cuticle of the hair shaft for a smooth and shiny finish and helps your style stay in place. This is why to apply cool air to your hair after blow drying with hot air #hairtutorial #hairtok #hair #glasshair #shinyhair #haircare #hairroutine #healthyhair #hairmaster #hairglowup ♬ CAUSE IS BEAT THAT BOY WIT A BAT - 🤍𝙎𝙮𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧🖤
Step 10: Finish with a Cool Shot
Finishing with a cool shot is the cherry on top for your quick-drying routine. Once you have worked through each section of hair on low to medium heat, change the hair dryer setting to cool to give your hair follicles a blast of cold air. Using your hands, gently move your hair around to give all sections of your hair an even distribution. This will help to set your desired hairstyle, close up the hair cuticle and give your hair an extra shine.
