Do they damage hair? Are they safe? We use them regularly and sometimes it's hard to do without them.
Let's think together about the effects of improper hair drying. It depends on many factors, such as the distance of the air stream, temperature, and the use of thermal protection. Let's take a closer look at hair dryers and how to minimize potential damage to the hair structure.

The Impact of High Temperature

Studies have shown that blow-drying hair at high temperatures can lead to structural damage. In an experiment comparing different temperatures (47°C, 61°C, 95°C), it was found that the higher the temperature, the greater the damage to the hair cuticles. Significant damage to the hair cuticles was observed at 95°C, while at lower temperatures the damage was less severe.

Recommendations:

• Temperature settings: To minimize the risk of damage, it is recommended to use a blow dryer on lower temperature settings. Modern blow dryers offer temperature control, allowing you to adjust it according to your hair's needs.

• Drying time: Shortening the exposure time to heat also helps protect the hair from damage.

Distance from the Hair

Holding the blow dryer too close to the hair can lead to overheating and structural damage. Research suggests that maintaining a distance of about 15-20 cm between the blow dryer and the hair can help reduce the risk of damage.

Recommendations:

• Appropriate distance: When blow-drying, keep the blow dryer at least 15 cm away from the hair.

• Hair dryer movement: Constantly move the hair dryer to avoid heat concentration in one place.

It is worth choosing a hair dryer that has several operating modes and a thermal fuse.

Below is a summary of the study conducted for hair dryers with similar parameters.

"Hair Shaft Damage from Heat and Drying Time of Hair Dryer"

Study objective:

To determine the impact of different hair drying methods (natural and with a hair dryer) on their structure, moisture, morphology, and color.

Methods:

• The hair was subjected to 30 cycles of washing and drying.
• Tested groups:
  1. Hair without drying (control).
  2. Natural drying at room temperature (20°C).
  3. Drying with a hair dryer at different settings:
     • 47°C (15 cm, 60 s),
     • 61°C (10 cm, 30 s),
     • 95°C (5 cm, 15 s).
• Structural changes were analyzed (electron microscope), moisture content (moisture analyzer) and color changes (spectrophotometer).

Results:

1. Hair surface damage:

   • Increased with temperature.
   • The greatest surface damage occurred at 95°C.
   • No damage to the hair cortex, suggesting a protective role of the outer layer of hair.

2. Moisture:

   • All dried groups had lower moisture content compared to the control.
   • Differences between dried groups were not statistically significant.

3. Hair color:

   • Drying at 95°C and natural drying caused a color change (lightening) after only 10 cycles.

4. Comparison of drying methods:

   • Drying with a hair dryer at a distance of 15 cm (47°C) and in motion caused less damage than natural drying.

Conclusions:

• Hair dryers can cause more surface damage than natural drying, but proper techniques (such as appropriate distance and movement) can minimize damage.
• Natural drying in room conditions is not without risk - it can lead to loss of lipids and color changes.

Significance:

This study provides scientific evidence that conscious use of hair dryers (at moderate temperatures and with proper technique) can be safer than natural drying in terms of protecting the hair structure.

Author: Kacper Błaszczyk