How to Blow Dry Hair

In a world of early mornings, late nights, endless last minute jobs and frantic hurrying, the 'towel off and run' gig doesn't seem to cut it any more. Sure, every hairdresser vows that constant blow drying will damage your locks. But how, exactly, are you supposed to stroll into your office job wearing a suit - with dripping wet hair? How do you make it to that party without ratty wet ringlets? Air drying may be healthy and natural, but blow drying, when done carefully and with the right techniques, can not only keep your locks dry, but also improve them, without excess damage. So if you're sick of wet patches on the back of your shirt and frantically rubbing your wet "do" with a towel, then ditch your old routine and improve your blow drying techniques today.

Steps

1. Wash your hair. You can use your regular shampoo, but for better blow drying effects and |protection, try washing with a moisturizing shampoo (Dry Hair Formula, as it's often called). This type of shampoo will provide extra moisture that will protect your hair from the effects of the blow dryer. It will also protect it from any other heat caused by straightening or curling, and generally add more moisture to your locks. You don't have to buy a super expensive brand - moisturising shampoos are available just about anywhere for all kinds of prices, so look around and secure the best deal for you.
2. Towel off your hair slightly, just enough to stop the dripping. Don't rub your hair with the towel as the friction causes split ends, frizzy dryness and generally does a lot of damage. Instead, gently wrap the towel around your hair and squeeze, like blotting the water out of your hair. If you have hair that's too short a length for that technique, wrap the towel around your head and rub very very gently using strong, circular motions. Don't rub too fast or hard, and if you can feel pain or hair breaking, then use your common sense and stop. Your hair doesn't have to be very dry at all after toweling; it just shouldn't be excessively soaked and dripping everywhere.
3. Separate your hair into sections. The bigger the section, the longer it will take to dry. It's best to go for 4-6 sections, but make sure nothing is tangled. If you have thick or longer hair, try using clips to help. If your hair's a bit too short, you may want to just part it into two sections.
4. Start blow drying at the top/roots, about six inches away from your scalp. Maintain this distance throughout, so nothing burns. Never blow dry in an upwards motion, as this causes more damage. Plus, by drying the hair on your scalp, it prevents the moisture from soaking the rest of your hair.
5. Work your way down, and remember to move the blow dryer around, again, so nothing burns. If you simply focus the dryer on one spot for too long it will dry out and burn the hair, rather than simply drying it gently.
6. Leave your hair a little bit damp. Don't ever dry until your whole head is completely dry - you need to leave in some moisture, so your hair won't dry out, and become frizzy or damaged. Leave it tolerably damp, not so it soaks your clothes, but so it will dry naturally in about 5-10 minutes.
7. Finish with a blast of cold air, to lock in shine. Brush through your hair gently, or de-tangle it with your fingers. If needed, apply a moisturizing or anti-frizz serum and brush it through evenly. You can even use a tiny bit of olive oil for a more "natural" option. These will work to keep your locks shiny and smooth, and now, dry, all day long!

Tips

• Never blow dry your hair when it is dripping wet, otherwise, you'll just be boiling your hair. Towel off first.
• Always blow dry in a downwards motion and in one direction. This will help prevent frizz and those split ends.
• Never put the hair dryer too close to ends.
• Keep brushes and combs clean.
• Use the cold setting to protect your hair better.
• Don't brush dripping wet hair - generally your fingers should work for any de-tangling.
• If you can, try not to blow dry more than three times a week. When you can afford to let your hair air dry, do so. If it's on the weekend when you've got free time, or when you don't have to be anywhere, simply comb through your wet hair gently and let it dry by itself.
• Before hair drying use a heat protection.
• Use a round brush with a metal center. The metal in the center heats up as you're drying your hair and it will shape your hair better. Also, since it is round it is easier to handle your hair.
• If your hair is very short, you might get off with just a towel dry, or a two minute blow dry.
• Don't frazzle your locks. You may be late for a meeting, but you don't want to walk in with a haystack for hair.
• Leave your hair for five minutes then use a towel to dry and once you have done that, blow dry your hair.
• Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to ward off split ends.
• To get more volume when blow drying your hair, blow dry upside down.
• You should apply a moisturizing hair spray, anti-frizz cream or conditioner after you're finished blow drying, just to quench your hairs' thirst. A more healthy and natural option would be applying a tiny bit of olive oil, as this enhances shine and adds in healthy, natural moisture.

Warnings

• Avoid using near bathtubs - it can be deadly.
• If your scalp begins to burn, stop immediately!
• Blow drying can cause headaches if you use the blow dryers for ages. You shouldn't use them for more than an hour-and-a-half at a time.
• Don't use thin elastics to tie up wet or damp hair, or any kind of hair in general, as these can break your hair. Try thicker bands, slides or scrunches.
• Blow dryers are for hair, and nothing else. Don't use it to dry your body. You'll just come out with unsightly (and uncomfortable) red blotches. Maybe even burns.
• Never blow dry your hair when it is dripping wet.
• Don't use a comb. Use a 'soft bristle hair brush'.
• Try to avoid blow drying freshly-colored hair. It's already dry enough.