What type of hair dryer is right for you?

There are so many hair dryers on the market and which one is right for you? There are so many different types, styles, features, and probably most importantly, different prices. So how exactly do you go about selecting the right one?

When shopping for a new hair dryer, there are many factors to consider:

1) What type of hair do you have? Is it long, short, fine or thin, thick, curly, damaged, etc.?

2) Are there any weight or ergonomic issues that need to be considered?

3) Will the dryer be for home use, travel, or both?

4) What is your budget?

Once you have the answers to these questions, it will be much easier to decipher the wide variety of hair dryers you can choose from. However, whether your hair is damaged or not, always make sure the dryer you select has ceramic and ionic technology. Why? These technologies are important in the drying process. Simply put, ionic technology helps to rapidly evaporate water from your hair. Ceramic technology results in even heat distribution throughout the hair and eliminates damaging hot spots while blow drying. The negative ions that are created break down the water droplets into tiny particles that are absorbed into the hair and drying time is greatly reduced. The end result is less damage to your hair and more hydration for shiny, healthy hair.

When choosing a hair dryer that is suitable for the type of hair you have, it all comes down to the power of the dryer. There are hair dryers that typically range from 250 watts to 2000 watts of power. Among these you’ll find hot air brushes that actually dry and style your hair, styling dryers that include comb and brush attachments, wall-mounted dryers, hood and hood hair dryers, and your usual pistol-grip dryers. Along with the wattage, you should consider the heat/speed setting that comes with your dryer.

One of the many complaints people have when using a hair dryer is the weight of the hair dryer. This is understandable because, let’s face it, people who have a lot of hair end up having to hold the dryer for longer periods of time. And, if you’re styling your hair with a styling brush while you’re drying your hair, it can take even longer. Just think of the stylist who is blowing hair all day! People who already have carpal tunnel type problems or tendencies should also keep in mind so it won’t aggravate this further. Fortunately, hair dryer manufacturers have listened to the professionals, and now you can find more variety in lightweight dryers, ergonomic handles, and even well-balanced dryers. These dryers generally have the dryer motor centered where the weight of the dryer is well distributed and there is less stress in any position you hold it.

Since many of us are constantly on the go, whether traveling for work, traveling for pleasure, or even working out at the gym, the desire is to have a dryer that is specifically designed for travel, or one that serves dual purpose. This category opens up a whole new spectrum of things to consider. Does your trip take you to other countries? If so, you’ll need a dual-voltage dryer and the appropriate adapter plug designed for use in the particular country you’re visiting. Here again, weight can be an issue with new weight restrictions being placed on luggage, as well as how much space will the dryer take up? There are now many collapsible travel dryers that are lightweight and compact, so this shouldn’t be a problem. These are also very popular for those who just want to have a dryer in their gym bag for when they work out.

Lastly, what is your budget? The good news is that there are so many great dryers in all price ranges that this shouldn’t be a problem. Obviously, if you want the best of the best, expect to pay more and in most situations you’ll be glad you did.

Now that we’ve covered what to consider, exactly what type of hair dryer should you be looking for?

Short, Fine, Fine, Damaged or Fragile Hair

Depending on how short, thin, or fine your hair is, a hot air brush might do the trick. These range from 250 watts to 1000 watts. They are sold by barrel size ranging from 3/4″ to 1 1/2″ and come with either flexible ball-tipped bristles or nylon bristles.

With a traditional type dryer, the maximum power needed is 1600 watts or less. At a minimum, you’ll want a dryer that has at least two speeds (low and high) and at least two heat settings (cool or cool and warm/hot). Typically, most professional dryers come with a cool shot button, and this is a great benefit for setting the style when you are done drying a particular section of your hair.

Medium, straight or textured hair

If you have medium-length hair that isn’t fine, thin, or damaged, you can basically use a hair dryer of any wattage, but 1600 to 1875 watts will work best. If you find a dryer that meets your criteria but is on the higher power scale, make sure it has multiple heat/speed options so it can be easily adjusted for your particular hair type and desired hair style.

thick or wavy hair

If you have the type of hair that takes a long time to dry, you should aim for a minimum of 1875 watts or higher. Again, more heat/speed settings on the dryer will give you the flexibility. Or, if your hair takes a long time to dry, a minimum of 1875 watts should be used.

One last consideration to keep in mind when shopping for a hair dryer is the accessories you will need for the dryer. Most professional models come with a concentrator, which is key for spot drying or targeting a particular area of ​​your hair. Two additional considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a hair dryer are how many heat settings and how many speeds to use. has the dryer. has. At a minimum, you want a dryer that has at least two heat settings. If your hair is fine, thin, damaged or brittle and curly, you will benefit from cool or cool settings as they will prevent further heat damage and if you have fine hair the cold air will volumize limp strands. If you have thick strands, you should use the full heat setting. The hot air coming out of a dryer helps to create a style and the cold air sets the style. That’s why so many hair dryers come with cool or cool air buttons so you have the option of easily pressing that button once you’re ready to lock in a particular section of hair that you’re combing with your hairbrush as you dry. . When it comes to the number of speeds you want in a dryer, you want at least two speeds. The two speeds will consist of high and low. If your hair is fine, thin, damaged or brittle, your hair will benefit from the slower speeds. If your hair is thick or takes longer to dry, the speed should be set to medium to high.