The correct hair drying technique depends on your hair type, your styling preferences and the look you want to achieve. Drying your hair correctly can make a huge difference to its appearance and health.
Read on for our Trichologist-approved top tips on how to dry your hair safely, minimise damage and get the results you want - whether smooth and sleek or full of curls.
Prep First: Shampoo, Condition and Detangle
No matter your hair type, always start with these two simple steps:
Use a Microfibre Towels
Whether you want straight or curly results, a microfibre towel works wonders for squeezing or blotting out excess water. When it comes to towel drying, never rub your hair. Rough towel drying can damage cuticles, cause tangles and breakage and create frizz. For curly hair, leaving it slightly wetter can help maintain your curl pattern and reduce frizz.
Blow Drying: The Right Way
Blow-drying isn’t inherently bad. When done correctly, it can add volume, create a smooth finish and boost shine. When done incorrectly, it can lead to dryness, brittleness and breakage. Here’s our tried and tested method:
Always prep your hair with a heat protection product or leave-in conditioner like our Daily Damage Defence or Perfecting Primer.
Choose brushes wisely: soft, pliable plastic paddles or round brushes are best. If using bristles, ensure they are soft and test on your hand first. Avoid metal-based brushes as they can transfer extra heat. Our Vented Radial Brush is super kind to all hair types.
Hold the dryer about six inches away from your hair.
Start with high speed and low-to-medium heat, gradually reducing heat as your hair dries. Stop blow-drying once hair is dry.
For added lift at the roots, try volumising products like Maximizer Root Boosting Spray or Plumping Cream.
Top top: using the cool setting at the end of blow-drying can seal the cuticle, lock in shine and reduce frizz.
For a Smooth Finish
Work with your brush gently, never tug or pull.
Dry in sections for a polished, salon-style finish.
Keep tension light and always follow heat protection protocols.
For Curly Hair
Natural drying can often give the best results for curls but if you want to speed up the process:
Apply heat protection and your preferred curly hair styling product.
Use a diffuser attachment, keeping speed and heat to a minimum.
Dry hair to about 80%, leaving a little damp to reduce frizz and retain curl definition.
Alternatives To Heat Styling
If you want to avoid heat altogether, there are other ways to achieve good results. Heatless styling tools like foam rollers, flexi rods or wrap sets are great for creating volume, curls or waves. They are also gentle on hair, helping to preserve moisture, shine and strength.
Minimising Damage & Frizz
To keep hair healthy while drying, we would always recommend:
Using a heat protection spray or leave-in conditioner (like our Daily Damage Defence or Perfecting Primer) before applying heat.
Using microfibre towels or a soft t-shirt to gently remove excess water.
Working in sections to reduce drying time and avoid overexposing any part of your hair to heat.
Finishing with a cool blast on the dryer to smooth the cuticle and lock in shine.
Find Products Tailored To Your Hair
At Philip Kingsley, we create products specifically formulated for different hair textures, scalp concerns and styling challenges. Not sure what’s right for your hair? Take our Hair Quiz to discover the perfect products for your routine.
Your Hair Drying Questions, Answered
Q: Is it safe to blow-dry my hair on the highest heat setting?
A: No. Using very high heat can lead to dryness, brittleness, breakage, and frizz. Always use a low-to-medium heat setting, hold the dryer about six inches away, and finish with a cool blast to protect your hair.
Q: Can using a blow dryer too often damage my hair?
A: Yes. Frequent blow-drying, especially without heat protection, can weaken the hair cuticle and strands over time. Minimise damage by using heat protection products, drying in sections and incorporating air-drying or heatless styling whenever possible.
