The effectiveness of a professional hair dryer cannot be denied, and finding the right one for your type of hair is a process that involves extensive research and analysis in order to ensure you acquire the model that covers all of your needs.
Hair dryers now come equipped with diffusers, comb nozzles, and airflow concentrators to create desires looks.
In this article you will find out...
What Is A Hair Dryer
A hair dryer, alternately known as a blow dryer, is a device used for drying and styling hair. Using an electric fan to blow hot air through a heating coil, it evaporates the moisture from hair, allowing users to create various hair styles.
Short History
The first hair dryer was invented in 1890 for Alexander Godefroy, a French stylist that created the device for use in his French hair salon. In its original form, the first version of the hair dryer was a seated, non-portable version that included a bonnet attached to a chimney pipe of a gas oven.
The only way to use this primitive form of a hair dryer was by having the person sit underneath it.
Circa 1915, hair dryers began to evolve, with handheld versions finally being featured in salons. Even at this time, the models were archaic by today’s standards, with reports of overheating and electrocution quite common.
The power of hair dryers was also an issue as well, with most only able to produce 100 watts, making the time needed to dry hair much higher.
The first dryer of the handheld variety to enter the consumer market was in 1925, weighing over 2 pounds, producing only 100 watts of heat, and therefore not enough power to properly dry hair.
During the 30s, the hooded dryer, which was helmet shaped, was introduced in London and became the norm in salons during the era.
By 1935, the freestanding nozzle dryer made its entrance in New Jersey in beauty schools, where it became the preferred method for stylists as it allowed more control and less interaction with direct heat on clients.
Not to be outdone, the multi-pronged hair dryer made its debut around this time, utilizing a row of heat-radiating rods placed over the head. Within the next 20 years, engineers had dramatically improved the design to over 300 watts.
The 1950s saw the introduction of the bonnet dryer to consumers, with the model connecting into a bonnet that was placed over a user’s head. Later during the decade, a rigid-hood hair dryer became the most commonly used types in salons, in which a user had their heads wrapped around a hard plastic helmet.
By the 60s, handheld dryers were able to produce over 500 watts of power. It was in the 1970s that national and international safety commissions established guidelines to properly regulate the commercial dryer market.
Because of these agencies’ intervention, deaths caused by hair dryer-related accidents dropped considerably. In modern times, hair dryers come equipped with all the bells and whistles imaginable, able to dry hair from the inside out for faster drying times.
In fact, since the turn of the century, manufacturers have introduced ionic hair dryers that are capable of evaporating water at advanced rates that result in the least amount of damage possible to the hair while applying hear. Today, there are several types of hair dryers that boast the latest technological advances to dry hair within seconds.
How Does A Hair Dryer Work
The most important components to a hair dryer are the heating element and the Electric fan. The heating element is constructed from nichrome wire, which is the resistor. With hair dryers, air blows through the resistor and then absorbs the heat as it passes.
Electric hair dryers blow air that is room temperature directly through the vents, where it then passes through nichrome wire coils that heat it and then make it possible to blow dry hair with hot air.
This process of blowing hot air on the hair speeds up the evaporation process as the air is drawn through small air holes located on the dryer’s side. Once hair is dry, the heat can be used to style hair as preferred.
Types Of Hair Dryers/Technology
Your hair contains both negative and positive charges on it, and there are certain hair care products that have been formulated to work on your hair as a result.
Ionic
Ionic dryers work by emitting negative ions which divide smaller particles to allow faster evaporation of hair. The end result is that hair is less likely to be fried or damaged as ionic dryers release ions directly onto the hair which makes the styling products used yield better results.
The following are how negative ions positively benefit hair:
- Breaks up water droplet sizes to aid hair in drying faster
- Leaves hair smoother, softer and shinier by closing hair’s cuticle
- Restores and retains hair’s moisture by penetrating the shaft of hair
- Neutralizes static strands for a look that is free of frizz
When using hair dryers infused with ionic technology, knowing when to say when is crucial as over-drying hair can pose a problem. Users that have hair that has been chemically lightened should proceed with even more caution as the roots are more prone to drying.
Ceramic
Using ceramic heating elements to generate both positive and negative ions, ceramic hair dryers are able to provide controlled heat directly to hair as the coils retain heat even while not actively warmed. The even heating status allows hair to dry more efficiently and for better styling.
Tourmaline
Using negative ions and infrared heat to remove moisture from the hair, tourmaline hair dryers are infused with the precious stone tourmaline which emits a steady stream of heat that is less damaging to hair.
As the tourmaline dryers release these negative ions, water molecules are broken down at an accelerated rate to leave hair less prone to breakage.
Infrared
Known for maintaining a consistent temperature to penetrate each hair from the inside out, infrared heaters reduce drying time through its even heat distribution that results in less damage than traditional hair dryers.
Titanium Hair Dryers
As a lightweight hair dryer option that is up to 40% lighter than traditional models, titanium hair dryers produce a consistent hair temperature that penetrates the hair quickly and prevents excess breakage.
Buoyed by their sleek and compact design, users are able to style quickly, making them ideal for those with long and/or thick hair. With titanic hair dryers, the texture and smoothness of hair is achieved at a more successful rate with less damage.
Attachments, Their Use, Benefits And Importance
Here are the most popular attachments of hair dryers and their uses and importance:
Diffuser
Diffusers allow for gentle yet power blasts of heat to penetrate the hair without causing breakage by dispersing the air flow throughout a larger area. By flowing slowly over your locks, diffusers create a full-bodied look and are ideally suited for those with curly or wavy hair.
They are attached to the end of hair dryers that keep direct heat from your hair and less prone to damage.
As a rule of thumb, diffusers should be used on low speed settings and a low temperature, with the cool setting button as an option if you can spare more time on the process. Once you have attached the diffuser and arranged the settings, the diffuser can be used on chunks of your hair at a time.
The benefits of having a diffuser include:
- Decreases frizzy locks
- Maximizes shine and luster
- Enhances natural waves, curls, texture
- Increases volume
- Reduces heat damage
- Dries gently and quickly
There are different types of diffusers for various types of hair, each serving a distinct purpose:
- Flat Vented: these diffusers close the hair cuticles to lock in shine and color while drying
- Mitt/Sock: these versatile diffusers are made of a mesh that is heat resistant and fit any hair dryer model, making them ideal for traveling
- Finger/Massaging: these are the most commonly used diffusers and are used to lift and add volume to hair
Hair diffusers are primarily used on curlier hair, but they also can be used on straight hair as well. To use for straight hair, wet it at first, then apply a volumizer to add body to the hair during the diffusing process.
A heat protectant should also be added to reduce possible damage, and if you want to create a curly look, apply mousse as well for styling. Lift roots and then move hair upwards into the diffuser until all hair is dry. Once you have the desired look, use a setting product that locks hair into place.
Concentrator Nozzle
Creating a powerful flow of hot air to direct heat up the hair shaft, a concentrator nozzle yields shiny hair that is more resistant to tangling, humidity, and frizz.
Without the addition of a concentrator nozzle, not only is airflow less accurate, but the heating elements can cause even more damage to the hair. With a concentrator, the air output is directed towards controlling frizz and overall style.
Comb Nozzle
Attach these to the end of your hair dryer to eliminate the need to hold a brush and then dry and style simultaneously. Another advantage is that most comb nozzles attach to most professional hair dryers.
Features To Consider Based On Your Hair Type
To get the most out of your hairstyle, the essential elements involve identifying your hair texture and its density. Hairstyles should be chosen based on the texture of your hair as not all styles work on every hair type.
All Hair Types
- Ceramic hair dryers are designed to evenly distribute heat throughout hair
- Ionic technology creates and utilizes negatives to smooth hair out while locking in moisture and decreasing drying time
Thick Or Coarse
Coarse, thick hair is ideally suited for styles that less the bulk and weight, so veering away from certain styles and more towards that that layer hair which adds levity to the hair. Those with thick or coarse hair should use a hair dryer with a higher wattage to dry hair in a timely manner.
With more wattage it is easier to maneuver around thick and coarse hair to ensure a thorough drying. Since thicker hair is typically stronger than finer hair, it can withstand more heat through the drying process.
Curly
Those with curly or wavy hair are more concerned with controlling the spirals and ringlets while at the same time adding definition and reducing frizzy elements. Typically, certain products are used to avoid drying out.
Hair that is curly can withstand more heat, making a hair dryer within the 1600 to 2000 wattage range ideal for best drying times.
Thin Or Fine
One of the tell-tale signs of fine hair is lack of volume, requiring more work in order to create the effect of more body. Techniques that are used to increase the volume of thin or fine hair is through shaping and cutting, root lift applications, styling products, and heat setting models.
With the right products and procedures, fine hair can be manipulated to a new look. Hair that is thin or fine requires less drying time a lesser wattage, with 1875 watts enough to dry hair of this type effectively.
Straight Hair
Considered the most resilient of hair types, straight hair is able to reflect sheen better and is less susceptible to damage, while also more difficult to curl. The sebum that hair retains in straight hair keeps the scalp well-oiled and able to withstand the heat of a hair dryer better.
Normal/Medium Straight, Or Wavy Hair
Hair that is normal or minimally wavy typically can dry fairly quickly, with 300 to 1800 wattage enough to dry hair effectively.
Kinky
As the most tightly coiled type of hair, it shrinks when water is applied and is more susceptible to damage as it has fewer cuticle layers than other hair types.
Damaged
Hair that has been damaged is more fragile, so should be on as low a setting as possible, with 1200 to 1500 watts the best conditions for this hair type.
Technological Innovations
This are the some of the best technological innovations when it comes to hair dryers:
Supersonic Hair Dryer
One of the most innovative and effective models available on the market today is the Supersonic hair dryer, which is one of the greatest technological innovations in the hair industry in the most recent years.
This hair dryer took years to manufacture, with more than 60 prototypes used before the finish product was reached, tested on thousands of miles of human hair. Because of all the testing, the Supersonic hair dryer is arguably the quietest, fastest, and most user-friendly hair dryer in the industry today.
With a specially designed sensor located inside to monitor the temperature of the heat any given time, the Supersonic hair dryer dries hair faster and more effectively than any other model on the market today.
With the motor located in the handle, ease of use is increased as well as the amount of air intake. Other features of the Supersonic hair dryer include:
- Three attachments included
- Low decibel level
- Extremely quiet
- Dries hair extremely fast
Temperature Guide Based On The Type Of Hair
Read on for the temperature guide based on type of hair:
Wattage Vs. Temperature
Although the latest hair dryers claim to be hotter and more effective than the previous models, extreme heat can be too stressful on certain hair types, making it crucial to select the proper wattage and temperature before applying to your own hair.
Invest in a hair dryer that allows the settings to be regulated in order to tailor the amount applied to your particular hair type as simply having an on/off switch is not sufficient.
Although no hard and fast rules apply to how much wattage a hair dryer should have, the most crucial element is to have one evenly and forcefully blow dries the hair
How To Dry Your Hair
When using the proper technique, a blow dryer can be more effective for drying hair than simple air-drying.
Although drying hair can be an easy process, incorrect procedures can lead to hair that is limp, frizzy, or a tangled mess, and with so many types of hair requiring different care, you should follow instructions to ensure the right hair maintenance.
- Forget the towel; allow hair to dry about 70-80%
- Coat strands with conditioner evenly throughout hair
- Comb through hair with conditioner in hair
- Blow dry hair at coolest setting approximately 6 inches from hair
After hair is dry, apply a bit more conditioner to work through the hair and avoid frizz and then enjoy healthy, gorgeous hair, without heat.
Manufacturers
Panasonic
A leader in the electronics industry for decades, Panasonic provides excellent hair care products that have been designed to perform effectively with optimal service. By integrating Nanoe technology into their devices, the company has brought enhanced sustainability, innovation, and efficiency to their consumers.
Bio Ionic
As experts in the beauty industry, Bio Ionic has been at the forefront of creating luxury hair products for professionals for more than 20 years. Their innovative approach to hair has led to the development of Bio Ionic’s mineral technology which has been formulated to hydrate the hair for a healthy glow.
GHD Professional
Using only the state-of-the-art technology, GHD Professional has revolutionized the salon experience with their advanced ionic technology that locks moisture in hair for a professional look that utilizes several advanced features.
Maintenance And Cleaning
Hair dryers will collect dust and hair through the vents over time and in order to ensure the longevity of your hair dryer, you want to keep it as clean as possible for maximum efficiency.
To ensure that your blow dryer functions at peak levels, it should be cleaned and cleared of dust regularly. At least once a week, unclog the filter and keep debris away from the motor for the best operation. The following instructions are advised for keeping your hair dryer clean and fully operational:
- Unplug blow dryer first before undertaking any cleaning procedures
- With a wash cloth or damp towel, wipe hair dryer around vents, and pull out filter to be cleaned before re-inserting.
- Place the outside vent back on, then twist until it locks in place
This cleaning procedure should be done regularly to prevent overheating.
Safety Tips
Selecting a hair dryer is just one step in the process to owning one. Once you have made a decision on a hair dryer, there are safety measure sand guidelines that should be followed to ensure that your model is properly maintained.
- Use a comb or brush to allow hair to dry effectively, but for wet hair, use fingers.
- Keep hair dryer moving across hair as motionless heating can lead to breakage
- Oil hair in the fall, then rinse in the morning
- Unplug hair dryer when not being used
- Don’t store hair dryer above tub or sink (if it falls in water, unplug then remove it)
- Don’t block air vents of hair dryer or place on a soft surface
- Keep openings free of hair, lint, and other debris
- Use hair dryers only indoors
- Keep cords from heated sources
Importance Of Hair Heat Protectant
For those that use heat to style hair, it is essential that thermal damage be minimized to prevent damage. A hair heat protectant prepares the hair from exposure to added heat and helps to yield smoother and more lustrous hair.
The vitamins and nutrients in thermal hair protectants make hair stronger and less prone to breakage over time. For stronger hair that stays styled longer, use a hair heat protectant to maintain the beauty and strength of your locks.
Conclusion
The revolution of hair dryers has resulted in new products that are even more effective at quickly drying and styling. As the industry continues to advance, the current products available on the market have given users the best tools possible to safely manage hair.
