Air drying is the superior approach to hair care because it reduces the risk of over-drying and potential damage often associated with artificial dryers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Damage-Free Air Drying

Step 1: The Gentle Towel Pat: Preparing Your Hair

After correctly washing your hair, your first action should be to manage excess water. Resist the urge to aggressively rub your hair with a towel. Instead, gently pat it dry with a towel. This approach minimizes friction and helps protect the hair cuticle.

Step 2: Initial Gentle Detangling

Depending on your specific hair type, you must use the correct technique to comb or brush your hair out gently. It is crucial to handle your hair with care during this stage, as hard brushing will cause breakage and can lead to traction and mechanical alopecia (localized hair loss).

Step 3: The 10-Minute Moisture Soak

To accelerate the drying process, wrap a towel around your hair for at least 10 minutes. This step helps the towel absorb a significant amount of remaining moisture.

Step 4: Final Smooth Out

Once the towel wrap is removed, gently comb or brush your hair out again. This ensures your strands are smooth and ready before they set as they finish drying.

Step 5: Let It Go: The Natural Dry

Finally, simply leave your hair to air dry. Air drying is confirmed as the best way of drying your hair without damaging it. You can expect the natural hair drying process to take about an hour.