It’s a common question in the world of hair care: “Why Is My Hair So Dry?” If you’re constantly battling brittle, frizzy strands, the answer might be simpler than you think – it could be your blow-drying technique. Like many, you might be unknowingly damaging your hair every time you reach for your hairdryer, exacerbating dryness and preventing that smooth, salon-quality finish.
I recently learned this firsthand. Complaining to my friend Janine Jarman at Hairroin Los Angeles about my perpetual bad hair days and feeling inept at styling it myself, she challenged me to demonstrate my blow-drying routine. Her reaction? “I see…yeah. That is all wrong and now I understand why your hair is so damaged.” Her semi-horrified but ultimately relieved response was because this is a fixable problem.
To be fair, my hair presents its own set of challenges. Years of bleaching and styling have taken their toll, leaving it curly, frizzy, and prone to breakage. It’s naturally fine and currently shoulder-length, with extensions added for extra length and the straight style I often aim for. This combination of textures and damage makes blow-drying a significant hurdle.
So, yes, I was making critical errors in my blow-drying routine, and these mistakes were undoubtedly contributing to my hair’s dryness and damage. Here’s where I was going wrong, and where you might be too:
- Skipping Essential Products and Using the Wrong Tools: I wasn’t using any product to protect my hair, and my tools were inadequate. My good hairdryer had broken, and I’d replaced it with a cheap drugstore version. Using the right products and tools is the first step to combating dryness and damage.
- Blow Drying in the Wrong Direction: I was unknowingly roughing up my hair’s cuticle by blow-drying in the wrong direction. This lifts the cuticle, leading to frizz and increased dryness.
- Applying Heat to Soaking Wet Hair Too Closely: Holding the hairdryer too close to my hair while it was still very wet was another major mistake. This intense, direct heat on wet hair causes significant damage and dryness.
- Lack of a Proper Blow Drying Order: I was haphazardly blow-drying without a strategic approach, starting in the wrong areas and creating uneven dryness and styling.
- Rushing the Process: Speed was my priority, leading to rushed, ineffective drying that created more frizz and dryness in the long run.
My “before” blow-dry attempt. While not terrible, it lacks the polished, shiny, and frizz-free look of a professional salon style. It’s acceptable for everyday, but far from ideal for truly healthy, vibrant hair.
The result of my incorrect technique. Notice the lack of smoothness and shine, signs of dryness and damage caused by improper blow-drying.
But don’t despair! The good news is that with the right techniques and products, you can transform your blow-drying routine and combat dry hair effectively. Here’s the salon-approved method I learned from Janine to achieve a smooth, healthy, and hydrated finish:
-
Start with Proper Towel Drying: Excessive heat exposure from a hairdryer on soaking wet hair is a primary cause of dryness. Begin by gently towel-drying your hair to remove as much moisture as possible. Consider using a microfiber hair towel which are known to be more absorbent and reduce drying time, minimizing heat damage. My colleague Arlyn swears by hers, noting a faster drying time and a lighter, more comfortable feel compared to a regular towel.
-
Apply Heat Protectant Product: Protecting your hair from heat damage is crucial for preventing dryness. Use a heat protectant product – Janine recommended a few sprays of invisible oil primer. Distribute it evenly throughout damp hair, acting like SPF for your strands, shielding them from heat and sun damage, and reducing frizz. Even if you dislike product buildup, heat protectants are essential and, when used correctly, won’t weigh your hair down.
-
Use a Gentle Wet Brush: Detangling wet hair requires a gentle touch to prevent breakage and damage, which contribute to dryness. Switch to a gentle wet brush designed for wet hair to brush through any knots smoothly and without causing stress or breakage.
-
Apply a Conditioning Straightening Balm: For added smoothness and moisture, and to further combat dryness, apply a conditioning straightening balm. Janine used a quarter-sized amount of conditioning straightening balm, distributing it evenly from mid-lengths to ends, avoiding the scalp to prevent greasiness.
-
Begin with Bangs: Start styling with your bangs. They frame your face and are best styled when you have the most energy and patience. Use a small round brush and blow-dry your bangs to one side, pointing the hairdryer downwards to smooth the cuticle. Repeat on the other side.
-
Flat Wrap and Add Volume to Bangs: For bangs that lay correctly and have volume, use a flat wrap technique, using your forehead to shape them as you dry. When almost dry, switch to a large metal brush. This brush acts like a curling iron, adding volume as you pull your bangs forward in a circular motion.
-
Pre-Dry Hair with Your Hands: Before sectioning, rake through your hair with your hands while blow-drying downwards. This removes more bulk moisture, speeding up the section drying process and minimizing prolonged heat exposure that leads to dryness.
-
Dry the Crown with Tension: Move to the crown section, using a bristle brush. Roll the hair under and back, applying significant tension while pointing the hairdryer downwards and towards the back of your head. Hot Tip: Tension is key to achieving shiny, frizz-free, and healthy-looking hair, reducing dryness and promoting smoothness.
-
Cool and Clip Sections: As you complete sections, clip them up to cool in the styled shape. Imagine you’re setting hair in rollers. Cooling in shape helps the style set and last longer, contributing to overall hair health and reducing the need for frequent restyling, which can cause dryness.
-
Style Side Sections: Moving from front to back, work on the side sections. Use a large boar bristle roller brush for smoothness, and switch to the metal brush to add curl and movement. Angle the brush to direct hair flow – curl under for smoothness or outwards for volume.
-
Repeat for All Sections: Continue section by section until your entire head is dry and styled. Hot Tip: Ensure sections are no larger than your brush head for effective drying and styling.
To finish, I added curls with a curling iron, my usual step for added volume and style. The final result was noticeably different – shinier, smoother, and healthier looking with zero frizz. The effort is real, but a proper blowout can last for days, making the 30-40 minute investment worthwhile for consistently good hair days and healthier, less dry hair.
Comparing my old technique to Janine’s expert method reveals a stark difference:
The transformation is clear. By addressing my blow-drying mistakes and adopting these expert techniques, I’ve not only achieved a better style but also taken crucial steps in preventing hair dryness and damage.
For a visual guide, check out this video of the process.
Thank you to Janine from Hairroin Salon for sharing her expertise!
By understanding and correcting your blow-drying mistakes, you can say goodbye to dry, damaged hair and hello to healthy, beautifully styled locks.
Photos by Veronica Crawford for EHD
