What does blow drying do to your hair?

What does blow-drying do to your hair?
To take things back to basics, blow-drying is a quick way of taking your freshly washed hair from wet to dry. But as with any heat-styling tool, it can cause damage to hair. "Using extreme heat can cause things like breakage, dullness or dryness, especially if your hair is already weak or brittle to start with," says Dove Partner and Celebrity Stylist Lacy Redway. However, the most damage is often caused by using the wrong techniques or doing it too often. But don’t let that discourage you, because armed with the right knowledge and the best products, you can continue to blow-dry your hair without causing further damage.

What’s the best way to dry hair without causing damage?
Everything from the products you use in the shower to the work you do pre- and post-dry will have an impact on the overall health of your hair. Here are a few easy-to-try tips to ensure your blow-outs will cause the least damage possible.

* Prep is key: if your hair is damaged from heat styling or regular bleaching or coloring, choose a shampoo specially formulated to nourish and protect it.

* Don’t forget heat defense: after towel-drying your hair, spritz a generous amount of heat protection spray. Dove Style+Care Smooth and Shine Heat Protection Spray defends against heat styling, but also nourishes and conditions hair, making it look and feel smooth and shiny.

* Use a serum: incorporating a leave-in product like Dove Hair Therapy Brilliant Gloss & Repair Serum visibly repairs damaged hair while working to smooth and nourish at the same time. Plus, it can be used on dry hair to boost shine – consider it the ultimate one-stop must-have.

* Your choice of hairbrush is important: opt for either a round brush – like a pro – or a soft paddle brush to ensure a gentle approach. Try not to tug or pull too hard on your hair, especially when it’s wet, to reduce the chance of causing damage or breakage.

* Adopt a ‘low and slow’ approach: when hair is ready to be dried, split it into sections, hold your dryer approximately six inches away from your head and keep it on a low to medium heat. It might take longer, but it’ll keep damage to an absolute minimum.

Is it OK to blow dry your hair every day?
It’s not the end of the world if you’re drying your hair every day, as long as you take the right precautions. But we suggest trying to extend the life of your blow-dry if you can. As well as mastering second (or third or fourth, no judgment here) day styles, use Dove Fresh Coconut Dry Shampoo. It instantly absorbs excess oil and grease to refresh and revive hair without needing to wash it.