A hair dryer is a very important part of your hair styling and hair care routine. You will use this tool nearly every single day and there are many important factors to consider before purchasing one. If you’re a hair stylist, there are even more things to be aware of because you will use this tool on almost every client. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with all the options available, just remember to consider the following: Heating element, settings, wattage, weight, attachments and warranty. There are multiple styles in each category but the best one for you depends on your needs. Read on to decide what you need.
The single most important factor to consider is the heating element. It’s no secret that heat can be dangerous and damaging when applied to hair day after day. Even if you use a thermal protecting product, it/s still important to use a high quality hair dryer to prevent any damage. Not all hair dryers dry hair in the same way and knowing the difference can really save your hair.
The least expensive hair dryers tent to use a metal or plastic heating element and this leads to a very intense, very uneven heat. It essentially “cooks” the hair by boiling the water out of it. This is the most dangerous way to dry your hair and should be avoided whenever possible. Higher standard dryers are typically made with a ceramic drying element; similar to what is used in space heaters or other home heating technology. Ceramic produces a far-infrared heat that enters the core of the strand of hair and dries it from the inside out.
You may have seen a hair drying boasting that it is an “ionic dryer”. This is a very scientific way to describe the hair drying process, and it sounds fancy, but what does it mean? On a cheap hair dryer (that’s not ionic), the heat will diffuse positive ions, and because hair cuticles are naturally neutral, this causes them to open and result in frizzy and poofy hair. A high quality ionic dryer will produce negative ions which “flatten” the neutral cuticle and trap moisture in so the hair stay sleek and shiny. This also works a lot faster because it breaks down each water molecule with a negative charge, rather than just boiling it off of the hair.
Ceramic heating elements can accomplish these negatives ions to an extent, but it?s much more effective to combine it with another material, like tourmaline. This material has become very popular in heating elements because of its incredible ability to make and use negative ions. It reportedly dries and styles hair up to 70 percent faster than tools made with other materials. Overall, the very best hair dryer will be ionic and made from a ceramic and tourmaline blend. However, these tend to be the most expensive as well.
Another important factor to consider is the wattage on your hair dryer. The higher the wattage, the faster the hair drying process. The exact wattage varies from dryer to dryer but it should always be greater than 1300 watts, unless it is a travel dryer. The average is probably around 1750 watts and some stylists recommend up to 1900 to 2000 watts for long and thick hair.
Just like in straightening irons, the settings on a hair dryer can be very beneficial. Many come with a “high” or “low” option but it is also important to look for a “hot” or “cool” setting. Because heat is so potentially damaging to hair, it’s best to use the lowest and coolest settings whenever possible. For people with thick or long hair, however, this can prove very difficult. That’s why it’s best to have a dryer that provides several settings to choose from. Recently, dryers have been made with a “cool shot” or “cool blast” option. This is perfect for finishing touches or to dry any finishing sprays or products.
If you only use a hair dryer for personal use, the weight may not be very important. But if you use a dryer day after day on client after client, you will certainly notice the difference a couple of ounces can make. The lightest hair dryers available are 12 oz to 13 oz. Because these are usually higher end and more expensive, consider whether you really need your dryer to be this light.
A recent addition to hair dryers are all of the attachment options. A person with thick, curly hair can avoid and hint of frizz with a diffuser. This attachment diffuses hair between the ringlets to dry it faster, but more gently. And using a nozzle or air stream tool is great for those who dry their hair with a brush. You can comb out sections of your hair and easily focus the stream of air right on that part for quick and efficient drying. Also, these nozzle tools allow you to focus the air on the roots or on the underside of your hair: two places that are often forgotten.
The last important factor when buying hair dryer is the warranty. Just like everything else, the warranty sometimes comes from the manufacturer and sometimes from the retailer. The more expensive brands tend to have the better return, refund and repair options available so be sure to check it out before you invest in a dryer.
There are so many different people with so many different hair dryer needs. Remember to consider each of these important details before you purchase your next dryer. They don’t have to be expensive, but make sure you’re getting the best value for your money. Decide what’s important to you and then find something, within your budget, that will meet your needs.
It?s feather light, but uses 2000 watts of drying power, making it perfect for even the longest and thickest hair. The lightweight 13.5 oz design eliminates any strain or discomfort when drying and makes The T3 ideal for use by salon professionals.
