How To Dry Hair Fast – 9 Easy Methods To Try

Say goodbye to those wet locks with simple fast-track hair drying methods

Reviewed by Melissa Neubeck, Cosmetologist & Trichologist

Melissa, a practicing cosmetologist of 30 years and successful color and makeover specialist, has connected the worlds of hairstyling and hair loss together by becoming a certified trichologist and holistic practitioner. Using proper protoc... more

Written by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature) Experience: 11 years

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Beng... more

Edited by Anjali Sayee, BTech Experience: 7 years

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy ... more

Fact-checked by Monomita Chakraborty, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) Experience: 4 years

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global Univers... more

• Mar 14, 2024

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Washing and drying your hair is a lengthy procedure. For those with long, thick hair, this only takes more time. But what if you could dry your hair faster? Though air drying is the best among the many hair drying methods, it also consumes time. What if you can cut down your hair drying time? This article explores some tips that can help you achieve the same. Take a look.

In This Article

How To Dry Your Hair Fast?

Try these methods to speed up the hair drying time:

1. Try The Ionic Technology

Ionic hair dryers can help you dry your hair faster. Ionic hair dryers claim to emit negative ions that break apart water molecules and evaporate them much quicker than the traditional blow drying method. Ionic technology also keeps your hair shiny and reduces frizz.

Pro Tip

You can also use a diffuser or a concentrator nozzle while using a hair dryer to direct the airflow more precisely and to dry hair faster.

2. Use Far-Infrared Heat

Many advanced blow dryers are powered with infrared heat technology. These dryers have low heat levels and claim to break down water molecules for fast drying. The infrared blow dryers do not cause heat damage, help minimize frizz, and improve shine and smoothness.

3. Use Hair Products To Improve Air-Drying Time

Air-drying is a safe and relatively damage-free way to dry your hair quickly as it involves little to no heat. Using hair care products can speed up the drying time.

This works best for fine and straight hair. Apply styling products like serums, gels, and hair mousses when you air-dry your hair for a shiny, frizz-free mane. However, use them in moderation to prevent scalp buildup.

4. Gently Massage With Your Fingertips

Gently massaging the hair while air drying can dramatically speed up the drying time. Wondering how? When you run your fingers in circles, the air can easily pass through the hair and reach the roots. Thus, your hair dries fast.

5. Adopt The Hybrid Approach

If the time permits, air-dry your hair for as long as possible before using the blow dryer. The pre-drying technique will considerably reduce the time your hair is exposed to heat and decrease frizz. It will also be a lot easier to style your hair, thanks to a better grip on your pre-dried strands.

Alicia James, a blogger, has tried a tension method for blow-drying natural hair and shared her experience in a blog post. She says, “I blow dry my hair now 1-2 times a month. Now that my hair is much longer, I’ve limited the amount of times I am washing my hair. I blow dry after each wash. I have seen a huge difference in my hair since decreasing my wash days (i).”

6. Use A Microfiber Towel

Ditch the traditional cotton towel for a microfiber towel. Compared to cotton towels, microfiber towels can absorb twice the amount of water. You will require less heat and time to dry your hair quickly. Gently dab and squeeze your hair with the towel instead of rubbing it vigorously. This minimizes friction and hair breakage.

Pro Tip

You can also choose a T-shirt to dry your hair. It is gentler on the hair than a regular towel.

7. Use Quick-Dry Sprays

Quick-dry sprays can reduce your blow-drying time to half. These sprays usually contain an AHA (usually lactic acid) that coats the hair strands, encourages faster evaporation, and increases the airflow, reducing the hair drying time. These sprays can protect the hair from heat damage and detangle your tresses, leading to healthy-looking hair.

8. Sleep On A Satin Pillowcase

Your pillowcase can affect the appearance and quality of your hair. Synthetic blend or cotton pillowcases can strip your hair of moisture, increase friction, and cause frizz and tangles.

However, a satin or silk pillowcase can help protect and tame your wet hair much better than a regular one. Satin pillowcases do not absorb water and minimize friction, tangles, frizz, and hair breakage.

9. Use The Right Brush

Get a vented hair brush for faster drying. The vents in the hair brush allow for easy air movement when blow drying. As a result, the moisture in your hair will evaporate faster, and you will get smooth and frizz-free hair.

Air drying and blow drying are the two most common hair drying methods. But which one is more suitable for you? Find out below.

Air Drying Vs. Blow Drying

Air drying allows the hair to dry on its own without the use of heat. While it is gentle and reduces potential damage, it often takes longer. On the other hand, blow drying is a quicker method that provides more control over styling. However, frequent or excessive use of heat can lead to hair damage and loss of moisture. That is why a balance between both the techniques can be beneficial for maintaining healthy and well-styled hair.

In summary, there are many different methods you can try out to dry your hair faster. From using a blow dryer with ionic technology to a “no heat” method, you can find a hair drying technique that suits your style and hair type. If your hair is damaged, dry, or weak, opt for a “no heat” method of drying hair. If you have healthy hair, you can use a blow dryer but make sure it is on a low setting to prevent any heat damage. So, scroll up and read through all the techniques again to discover which one would work the best for you and your hair. You can also experiment with multiple techniques!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hair dry faster with hot or cold air?

Hair dries faster with hot air. However, cold air may be slightly less damaging to your hair. It is advisable to alternate between heat and cold settings while drying your hair.

Is it better for your hair to let it dry naturally?

Air drying may not be better than blow-drying as prolonged contact of wet hair strands with air may lead to some hair damage. However, it may cause less damage than blow-drying hair with improper techniques.

How long does it take hair to dry?

The time it takes for the hair to dry depends on the drying method used, and the type, thickness, and length of the hair.

What happens if you don’t dry your hair after showering?

Your hair may become frizzy and rough if you don’t dry your hair after showering.

Key Takeaways

Ionic hair dryers emit negative ions that break apart water molecules and evaporate them much quicker than the traditional blow drying method.
Infrared blow dryers can dry hair quickly even on low heat setting and help minimize frizz, and improve shine and smoothness without causing heat damage.
Air drying after applying a low quantity of serum is best suitable for fine and straight hair.

Prioritizing hydration is essential to achieve soft and healthy-looking air-dried hair. Master the art of air-drying your hair faster without causing it to become frizzy. Check the video below to learn more.

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

(i) Blow Drying Natural Hair – My Experience
https://aliciajames.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/naturals-who-blow-dry-my-experience/

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