The way you take care of your hair can make or break its health and appearance both in the short term and the long term. Among the heap of hair care tips that are available, one debate that continues to rage is one that centers around the best method for drying hair. If you can’t decide between air drying and blow drying, maybe the following information can help you make the right choice.

The thing with blow drying is that it puts heat on the hair and we all know that heat, especially excessive heat, can fry your tresses and make you more prone to dry and brittle hair. However, is air drying any better? The truth is that these two methods come with their own pros and cons and ultimately it will be up to you to decide which method causes less damage to your locks.

Many people opt for blow drying their hair because it is an easy and quick way to get the job done. If you’re typically short on time or have tons of hair to deal with, then air drying may not be a very convenient or practical choice. However, as mentioned earlier, blow drying can mean putting a lot of heat on your hair. If done too much, you are guaranteed to suffer from brittle tresses and even split ends. But there is a right and wrong way to use your blow dryer. If you prefer blow drying but want to keep your hair healthy, be sure to apply a heat styling product to your hair before blow drying. Such products will act as a barrier between your tresses and the blow dryer. Not only will your hair be properly dried, it will also be more manageable, making it easier to style as well. Additionally, when using your blow dryer keep it at least six inches away and constantly move it around your head instead of lingering for too long on any one section. And while it may sound silly, your hair doesn’t have to be 100% dry when using a blow dryer. Whenyour hair is only slightly damp, turn off your blow dryer and allow it to either air dry completely afterwards or proceed with styling your hair like you normally would.

Air drying is the best method if you have short, easy to manage hair, and/or a schedule that doesn’t require you to rush the process. Air drying is more preferable than blow drying due to the simple fact that no heat is placed on your tresses, which means that you greatly reduce your chances of suffering from split ends or brittle hair. However, this method is not without its downsides. Wet hair is weak hair and if you air dry, you better make sure to properly handle it during this stage. Use a towel to blot your hair dry instead of rubbing, which causes friction, resulting in breakage. After getting your tresses as dry as you can with a towel, avoid using a hard brush or fine tooth comb. Instead opt for a wide tooth comb or use your fingers to gently comb through your hair.

What it all boils down to is preference, hair type and lifestyle. Each method works to its own advantage but does vary from person to person.

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