Many professional hair stylists would tell you to avoid heat to protect your hair.
Sadly, for many of us, this isn’t an option, and whether we have fine hair or thick hair, a hairdryer is the only way to tame and manage our wet hair.
Professional hair dryers, like GHD hair dryers, will cost you a bit more, but the technology used in these blow dryers will help to protect your hair.
This is because they often come with heat settings and accessories that will transform your soaking wet hair into a beautiful, sleek style.
Different types of hair dryers
Hair dryers can be divided into four types, based on the technology they use. A professional hair dryer may even have all these technologies incorporated into the design.
1) Ionic Hair Dryers
Negative ionic technology is the most common technology. Negative ions are emitted, which neutralize positive ions in wet or damp hair.
Negative ions are able to tame frizzy hair and won’t try out your hair. In the best professional hair dryer you will be able to switch off the ionic function, allowing you options to style your own hair.
2) Ceramic Hair Dryers
Ceramic technology emits infrared rays while blow-drying, which will dry hair faster. Infrared heat penetrates your hair without damaging it, to gently dry your hair.
3) Tourmaline Hair Dryers
Tourmaline is added to blow dryers to boost the effect of negative ions. Tourmaline can also generate infrared heat. This type of blow dryer is the best hair dryer for thicker hair as it can dry hair quickly.
4) Titanium Hair Dryers
Titanium dryers are not very common. These dryers have a strong and hot air flow, which dries even super thick hair quickly.
They are lightweight, so if you want a light dryer with multiple heat settings then this type of dryer is best for your hair.
What should I look for when buying a hair dryer?
If you are in the market for a new hair dryer, you should keep an eye out for several things on the box so you know you are getting value for money.
The power of the hair dryer is key as it will determine how quick your hair is dried. Hair dryers with different heat and power settings are the best option for most hair, as you can adapt the dryer to suit your needs.
You should also look at the type of technology.
As mentioned above, some hair dryers come with more than one technology, however, ceramic and tourmaline dryers are your best bet as they work on natural hair types and will protect your hair, leaving your hair shiny and beautiful.
You may also want to get a dryer with a cool shot button. Although heat is crucial to dry your hair, when it is nearly dry you are meant to use the cool shot button to finish drying and styling your hair.
Many hair dryers will come with several attachments, like a concentrator nozzle, diffuser, and styling tools. These accessories will help to make styling your hair while drying easier.
Is it worth it to spend a lot on a hair dryer?
Hair dryers come in a range of prices, with the best hair dryers costing more, but coming with more features and accessories.
Less expensive models lack speed settings, heat settings and heat-protectant technology, and may actually damage your hair or dry it out.
A good hair dryer will come with multiple heat and speed settings and uses technology that will not harm your hair.
Which is the best type of hair dryer?
Dryers are so efficient at drying because they use a combination of heat and air.
Lower-cost models lack any technology and depend on only hot air to dry your hair, which has the potential to cause heat damage.
If you are able to spend a bit more, you will see a big difference in your hair health and also the time spent drying your hair.
Technology included in an ionic dryer or infrared rays will help dry your hair in a healthy way, allowing you to use heat and technology that will protect the hair shaft.
Final Thoughts
Whether you have long hair or short, thick hair or thin, what you want to spend on a dryer is completely up to you.
The type of hair dryer you invest in will make a big difference to your drying time.
More expensive models will allow for better heat distribution and will protect your hair, but even less expensive models that rely solely on heat and airflow can leave you with luscious locks.
