Many people know that hair care can contribute to some form of hair loss. What fewer people understand are all the variables that go into proper hair care. Everything from the frequency of washing, the type of shampoo used and the method of drying can contribute to hair loss or breakage.
To be clear, some hair loss comes from genetics or disease. How you, otherwise, treat your hair can make that even worse.
Why Does My Hair Fall Out When I Dry It?
It is a bit of a misnomer to say that your hair falls out when you dry it. While you may experience some hair fall or hair breakage when drying your hair, most of those loose hairs that show up are ones that have already broken or have fallen out.
If you have ever gone home after a trip to the salon and washed away the clippings from your hair cut, you understand what happens. Cut or broken hairs get caught up in the remainder of your hair and do not fall out until you wash or dry your hair.
When you dry your hair, you are removing all those loose hairs. It often looks like you are losing a lot of hair. And while that may be deceiving, drying your hair can contribute to hair fall and hair breakage. Over-drying can damage your hair, but towel drying may be the worst.
According to Forbes, “Vigorously drying your hair with a towel—the way most guys do it—is actually quite destructive to your hair’s cuticles, which is the outer layer of each strand of your hair.”
Scrubbing at your head with a towel may also break individual hairs. That, in turn, makes your hair appear thinner.
How Can I Dry My Hair Without Damaging It?
Many hair salons offer blow drying as a service for their customers, but even they know it can be bad for your hair. Here’s how Deseo Salon & BlowDry in Denver phrases it: “[G]ently towel dry hair to speed up the process before using it. Avoid being rough with your hair while towel drying it to prevent pulling out strands or damaging the shafts. If you have time, try waiting at least fifteen minutes before blow drying hair after using a towel. This will give your hair time to dry a bit naturally before applying heat.”
They also recommend using pre-treatments to protect your hair from over-drying. Byrdie.com says towel-drying, air-drying, and blow-drying all come with perks, but they also come with the potential to damage your hair. Their hair styling experts say there is no one way that is best for everyone.
“Towel drying is a great option for hair types that lean on the dry side or don’t retain moisture for long, perhaps due to having a finer density or an existing color treatment. Towel drying is also a preferred method for those who need help getting their hair dry in a shorter window of time,” according to celebrity stylist Gabi Lopez.
Towel drying can also be a great option if you use the correct materials. Microfiber towels and hair turbans – which are designed to pull moisture from wet hair – can be great options, according to this video on the science of hair drying. The video also points out that sometimes drying quickly can be beneficial, especially if you have dandruff or other fungal growths on the scalp.
Should You Let Your Hair Dry Naturally?
Letting your hair dry naturally seems like a good way to avoid the heat and abrasion damage to your hair, but what about other issues? Naturally drying your hair traps moisture on your scalp for long periods of time, promoting the growth of bacteria and fungus. It is also impractical for most people in a very busy world.
Precision Hair Restoration Has Solutions for a Range of Hair Loss Issues
No matter what caused your hair loss, Precision Hair Restoration can help. Our expert teams can determine what course of hair restoration is best for you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and get started on your course to a fuller, healthier hair.
