Blow drying your natural hair may seem like a straightforward process, but there is a lot you need to keep in mind to avoid breakage or heat damage. Most people have this misconception that natural hair is stronger than other textures, and that blow drying should be easy. However, it is really delicate and you need to handle it with care. In this brief guide, we explore the dos and don’ts of blow-drying natural hair and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do it right.
Do’s and Don’ts for Blow Drying Natural Hair
- Don’t blow dry your natural hair every day
- Don’t use the highest heat setting on the dryer
- Don’t rub your hair with a towel as it may cause frizz and breakage
- Don’t blow dry your hair when very wet
- Don’t blow dry your hair all at once
- Don’t hold a blow dryer very close to the scalp
- Do clean and condition your hair before blow-drying
- Do section your hair for more evenly results
- Do start with damp hair
- Do use a heat protectant
- Do use the lowest to medium heat setting to avoid damage
- Do style your hair when done
How to Blow Dry Natural Hair
Before blow-drying your natural hair, you need to prep it with the right products. Then, take your time with it and super gentle as you work on your hair. The main goal should be to stretch the hair, rather than straighten it.
Tools Needed
- Wide-tooth comb or detangling brush
- Lightweight leave-in conditioner
- ‘Separating clips’
- Heat-protecting serum
- Blow dryer with a paddle hair brush or comb attachment
Step-by-Step Guide
The following is a simplified step-by-step guide on how to blow dry your natural hair.
Step 1: Cleanse and Condition Hair
Before you start, you want to make sure that your hair is freshly cleaned and conditioned. This means getting rid of any product build-up and oil that can prevent the hair from being as smooth or soft as desired.
Although product choice is a personal choice, a (moisturizing) shampoo does a better job of cleaning and preparing the hair. Co-wash often leaves behind product residue and natural oil that over time leads to clogged follicles, a moisturizing shampoo cleanses thoroughly while keeping the hair nourished. If you’ve used heavier products, start with a clarifying shampoo for the first wash to remove buildup, and follow it up with a conditioning shampoo to restore moisture. Then, work your condition through the hair, detangling it with a gentle brush or wide-tooth comb.
Step 2: Apply Leave-in and Heat protection
After rinsing the hair, apply the leave-in condition, working it through the hair while it is still going. Choose a lightweight conditioner for this step as anything heavy or too rich will weigh down your hair. Then, lock in the moisture with a heat-protecting oil or serum. The easiest way to do this is by taking a dime of serum and rubbing it between your palms. Then run your hands through the hair, ensuring it is evenly distributed for every strand to be coated.
Step 3: Separate and Stretch the Hair in Sections
For this step, separate your damp hair into 3-5 sections using hair ties or alligator clips. Gently pull each section as tightly as you can, starting from the root and going all the way down to the tip. This pre-stretching gets the hair ready, and you will not have to put so much tension or heat on your hair once you start using the dryer. You can do this with zero heat or turn your dryer to the lowest setting as you stretch.
Step 4: Blow-Dry
When it comes to the actual blow drying, you have a few options:
- Blow-Dry with a Comb Attachment: This is the easiest technique and is beginner-friendly. It gives you more control and allows you to hold the dryer comfortably in your hands.
- Blow-Dry with a Paddle Brush: This is a more effective method, but requires you to be already comfortable handling heat tools.
- Using Blow-Dry Brushes: You can also use blow-dry brushes such as the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer on your detangled hair to achieve quick and easy blowout styles.
To get started, set your dryer on medium. Avoid the highest heat, especially if this is your first time as it can overheat your hair, increasing the risk of damage.
Angle your paddle brush or comb attachment, gently running through each section with medium tension. As a rule, start at the bottom and run through the hair to the end. Make sure to be gentle with each section, taking time to run through the hair for the perfect results.
Step 5: Style
After blow drying your natural, styling it is a personal preference. You can decide to wear your blowout as it is, try a silk press with a flat iron, run a curling iron through it, or do a twist-out.
How Long Will Your Blowout Last on Natural Hair?
This will depend on how long you will wait until your wash day, usually 1-2 weeks. During this period, do not touch up your blowout with heat as it may get damaged. Just leave it as it is until you are ready to wash, then deep condition and prep it.
As for maintenance, use a satin or silk wrap at night to prevent friction or frizz while you sleep. If you are wearing your blowout as it is, do two big braids before getting to bed, then you can take them down and fluff your hair for volume in the morning. To maintain the sleek look, you can try doobie-wrapping the hair before bed.
When it comes to blow-drying your natural hair, remember to be as gentle as possible. This helps to prevent any unnecessary damage or breakage. While no special skills are needed, prepping the hair right and being gentle will give you the best results.
