If you cannot decide which method is best for your curl type, we can guide you. Read this article to understand the differences between diffusing and air drying and how each can impact hair health and curl definition.
The Advantages Of Air Drying
No Heat Exposure
Air drying the hair is the best way to prevent heat damage. Shampooing often strips the natural oils from your strands, leaving them vulnerable to damage and breakage. Blow drying can further amplify that damage.
Is Time-Saving
Blow drying your hair takes time and energy, as you must section your hair and then work on each section. On the contrary, you need not do this while air drying. This saves time and effort.
The Disadvantages Of Air Drying
No Curl Definition
Air drying can make your hair frizzy, and you may lose the shape of your curls. Frizzy curls are unmanageable, difficult to comb and style, and may lead to hair breakage.
Wet Curls Can Be Uncomfortable
If you have low porosity curls, they may air dry quickly. However, high porosity curls can take forever to air dry, sometimes even an entire day! Staying with wet hair all day long is uncomfortable. Your clothes and pillowcases may get damp, and you may catch a cold or get a headache. Moreover, sleeping with damp and wet hair can lead to microbial activity and an unhealthy scalp. If you want to air dry your hair correctly, follow the tips mentioned below.
Tips For Air Drying Curly Hair
Use The Right Products
Use leave-in conditioners and curl-defining creams to avoid frizz while air drying. Pick products that cater to your hair’s needs. Check the ingredients and opt for products that contain nourishing and moisturizing ingredients like plant oils, glycerin, and ceramides. Choose leave-in creams and serums that can also double as detangling products. Buy creams that provide a nice slip.
Utilize The Cool Setting In Your Dryer
If you want to speed up the air drying process, use your dryer on the cool setting to avoid heat damage. Also, apply a serum to prevent frizz.
Try Plopping
You might have seen the viral trend of people drying their hair wrapped in T-shirts. That is plopping! It involves wrapping your wet curls in a cotton T-shirt to make them dry faster. Beauty vloggers swear by plopping to speed up drying without frizz.
Use Microfiber Towels
Microfiber towels absorb water quickly and speed up the drying time. They are gentle on fragile hair strands and help minimize friction, tangles, frizz, and breakage. However, instead of rubbing your hair with the towel, wrap it around your head and squeeze gently. Now that you know everything about air drying, let us see what a hair diffuser can do for your curly hair.
Diffusing Naturally Curly Hair
A diffuser is a bowl-like attachment with multiple nozzles that changes the airflow for even drying. It does not manipulate your curls and helps maintain the curl definition.
The Advantages Of Diffusing
Curl Definition
This is the main advantage of diffusing naturally curly hair. Using a diffuser and blow dryer helps maintain the original curl shape and add definition to it.
Quick Drying
A diffuser distributes the air evenly across your tresses, allowing them to dry faster.
Controls Frizz
A diffuser attachment can combat unruly hair by giving it a better and tighter curl formation. The more defined your curls are, the less frizzy they look.
The Disadvantages Of Diffusing
Creates Volume
Using a diffuser adds more volume to the hair. People with straight and wavy hair may feel happy about it. However, those with curly hair may end up with a poofy mane. Voluminous curls can be challenging to tame and style.
Heat Damage
Whether you use a diffuser or any other nozzle on a dryer, the problem will always be the heat. Curly hair is more vulnerable to heat styling due to its fragile structure. However, there are ways to minimize the heat damage and use the blow dryer and diffuser safely.
Tips For Diffusing Curly Hair Safely
Use A Heat Protectant
Always apply heat protectants to minimize heat damage caused by blow drying and diffusing. They contain silicones and other ingredients that shield the hair to prevent heat damage. Also, use a leave-in conditioner or oil to maintain hydration and less frizz.
Use Protein Products
Repeated heat damage can lead to loss of proteins in your curls. Add a protein-infused hair product to your routine to repair and strengthen your curls. However, avoid using multiple protein products to prevent protein overload and change in the natural hair texture. Only apply protein products once every 2 or 3 diffusing styles. Any more than that will overload the hair with protein.
Diffuse Your Hair Correctly
Before you start diffusing your hair, learn how to do it properly to get the desired results. Understand what settings work for your hair. You may watch tutorial videos or consult a professional hairstylist for tips. This was all about diffusing and air drying. If you are still confused about which one to go for, scroll down to the next section.
Diffusing Or Air Drying: Which Method To Follow For Curly Hair?
You may choose any of the drying methods, depending on your curl type and convenience. Experiment with both and see which your hair responds better to. If you have high porosity hair and are in a hurry, you can use a diffuser to speed up the drying time. However, if you have low porosity hair, it can air dry quickly. None of the methods can affect your hair texture, curl type, and quality if you do it properly, following all precautions, and with the help of the right products. Both methods have their pros and cons. Pick one that suits your daily routine. Can you diffuse hair without a diffuser? Yes. There are a few DIY methods that mimic the effect of a diffuser. You can cup your hair with your hand and use a hair dryer. You can also use a strainer to use the hair dryer through. Lastly, you can wrap your hair in a T-shirt or a microfiber towel for a curly texture. Why is my hair frizzy after diffusing? Diffusing involves heat, which is damaging to your hair texture. Additionally, if you do not apply heat protectant or diffuse your hair using incorrect methods, it can cause further damage to your hair. Do you diffuse hair with hot or cold air? Diffusing is done with hot hair to provide definition to the curls. However, you may switch it up with blasts of cold air to balance out the heat treatment. How wet should your hair be when you diffuse it? Some people prefer diffusing their wet hair right away. However, it is best to air-dry your hair for 30 minutes to an hour before you start diffusing it. Or you may start when your hair is damp but not completely wet. Do diffusers work on 4c hair? Yes. As long as you use the proper technique, diffusers can work wonders on all hair types.
