It’s no secret that hair takes a LONG time to dry naturally.
In fact, many people dread the idea of having to wait for their hair to air dry.
But what about using a hairdryer? How much faster does it make the process? And is it better for your hair to use a hairdryer or let it air dry?
For most people, the fastest and easiest way to dry their hair is by using a hairdryer, as quick as 15 – 30 minutes. Compared to letting it air dry, which could take hours, using a hairdryer is definitely the quicker option.
While this may seem counterintuitive (after all, heat can damage hair), modern hairdryers are designed to minimize the risk of damage by limiting the amount of heat exposure and keeping the airflow moving.
If you use a diffuser, you can further reduce the risk of damage by keeping it close to the scalp and moving it around frequently.
Read our guide on the best ways to dry your hair here and how long it takes to dry your hair using both methods.
How Long Does it Take for Hair to Dry with Blow Dryer?
Whether you’re in a hurry and need to quickly dry your hair, or simply want to give it some extra TLC, using a blow dryer is one of the fastest ways to dry your hair.
In general, hair will take longer to dry when wet, depending on its thickness and length. With a hairdryer, you can speed up the process by using a higher heat setting and keeping the dryer moving.
If you are using a diffuser, it’s important to keep it close to the scalp so that your hair can dry evenly.
On average, hair will take about 30 minutes to dry naturally. However, with a blow dryer, the process can be shortened to around 10-15 minutes.
How Long Does it Take for Hair to Dry Naturally?
If you’re looking for a more natural way to dry your hair, letting it air dry is definitely the way to go.
While it may take longer than using a blow dryer, air drying is gentle on the hair and doesn’t run the risk of damaging it.
Depending on the thickness and length of your hair, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours for it to air dry.
To help speed up the process, make sure to gently comb or brush your hair while it’s drying and use products that will help lock in moisture – such as leave-in conditioners or hair oils.
Drying Hair Naturally vs Blow Dryer – Which is Best?
So, which is better – air drying or blow-drying?
The answer really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a more natural way to dry your hair, air drying is definitely the best option.
However, if you’re in a hurry and need to quickly dry your hair, using a blow dryer is the way to go.
It’s all down to a matter of opinion, and what works best for you and your hair!
How Long Does it Take for Hair to Dry in a Towel?
On average, drying your hair in a towel takes around 40 to 60 minutes. One of the most frequent ways to dry hair is to wrap it with a towel. Patted down hair should be twisted into a turban and kept for 20 to 30 minutes while wrapped in a turban.
Leave the turban on longer and the moisture absorbed by the towel will make the hair damp again.
The best way to use a towel is to blot your hair gently. Do not rub, as this could damage your hair. After you have blotted your hair dry with a towel, allow it to air dry the rest of the way.
You don’t want your turban to be too tight, so you’ll want to make sure it’s not. When hair is wet, it’s very delicate, so putting pressure on the hairline can cause breakage and headaches. However, wrapping the hair up in a turban may save you time.
How Long Does it Take for Hair to Dry with Microfiber Towel?
When compared to a regular bath towel, microfiber towels save you 5 minutes or more when drying your hair. Using a normal towel is one of the biggest mistakes you can make while wrapping your hair dry.
Regular towels are great for drying off the skin but terrible for drying hair. It wicks moisture away from the skin and removes dampness, but it doesn’t absorb the water from your hair.
If you’ve ever seen a bath towel after drying your wet hair, you’ll notice that it’s full of water. This is because regular towels don’t have enough space to absorb all the moisture in your hair and end up pushing water off the surface of your scalp instead.
A microfiber towel, on the other hand, is much more effective at absorbing water from your hair.
Not only does this save you time, but it also prevents your hair from frizzing up and becoming damaged. So if you’re looking for a faster and easier way to dry your hair, make sure to use a microfiber towel!
How Long Does it Take for Hair to Dry in Rollers?
If you’re looking for a more polished and voluminous look, using rollers while air drying is a great option.
Rolling your hair while in the process of drying is one of the best ways to create curls or waves without using any heat.
To do this at home, you’ll need to section off your hair and start rolling up each section into a roller.
Once you’ve finished rolling, let your hair air dry for at least 30 minutes – or until the rollers have completely dried.
Depending on the thickness and length of your hair, it can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes to fully dry in rollers. So if you’re looking for perfectly curled or wavy hair, using rollers while drying is definitely the way to go!
In general, it takes around 10-15 minutes to fully dry your hair with a blow dryer. However, if you have very thick or long hair, this process can take longer.
How Long Does it Take for Hair to Dry in a Plop?
For those with curly and wavy hair, using a plop is one of the best ways to speed up your drying process.
A plopping technique involves using an old t-shirt or microfiber towel to wrap your entire head. Then, you’ll let your hair air dry for at least 30 minutes.
Because microfiber towels are so absorbent, they help to soak up any excess water from your hair – resulting in less frizz and damage.
Not to mention, this method is extremely gentle on the hair – making it a great option for those with curly or wavy hair.
How Long Does it Take for Hair to Dry in Braids?
The drying time of your wet hair braids varies depending on how long it takes to dry. The minimal amount of time needed to dry thin and shorter hair is 12 hours, however, an overall estimate would be 24 hours without the use of heat assistance.
Because the hair is so densely packed, there isn’t much space for the strands to breathe, therefore the hair will take a longer amount of time to dry.
If you are hoping for a quick and easy way to dry your hair without heat, braids is definitely the best option!
Whether you opt for smaller braids or bigger ones, this method dries pretty quickly and prevents any frizzing or damage. So if you’re looking for a no-heat way to style your hair, braids are definitely the way to go!
Tips for Hair Drying Faster
Regardless of the drying technique, there are methods to speed it up. Some of the ideas that may help you dry your hair faster include:
Use Sulfate-free Shampoo
The extra chemicals in shampoos with sulfates make your hair feel heavy and frizzy, making it take longer to dry. There’s nothing stopping your hair from touching the air when you use shampoo without sulfates.
Check out my favourite sulfate-free Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo, it’s great for any type of frizzy hair!
Avoid Rubbing Your Hair With a Towel
When you get out of the shower, gently squeeze the water out of your hair with your towel instead of rubbing it. This will help prevent your hair from tangling and becoming frizzy.
Use a T-shirt Instead of a Towel
T-shirts are much gentler on your hair than towels. They’re also much more absorbent, so they’ll help soak up the water from your hair faster.
Wring Out Your Hair Before Drying
If you want to speed up the drying process, make sure to wring out as much water from your hair as possible before you start drying it. This will help prevent your hair from becoming frizzy as it dries.
Apply a Heat Protectant When Using a Dryer
If you’re using a hairdryer to dry your hair, make sure to apply heat protectant spray first. This will help prevent any damage or breakage from the heat of your dryer.
Take a look at the best heat protectant for your hair that won’t let you down! Hair Food Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protectant Spray Blend will help keep your hair healthy and hydrated while you style.
Use a Diffuser
Using a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer will help distribute the heat evenly, resulting in less frizz and damage.
Keep the Dryer Moving
Keeping the hairdryer moving will help prevent any hot spots from forming on your hair. Make sure to keep the dryer moving around, especially if you’re using a diffuser.
According to the experts, the average person’s hair is about 90% dry after using a hairdryer on it for just two minutes. So, if you’re looking to dry your hair quickly, a hairdryer is definitely the way to go.
Set a Timer
Next time you dry your hair, set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes to make sure that you’re not over-drying your hair. This will help prevent damage from heat and excess frizzing.
With these tips in mind, you can quickly and easily dry your hair without any damage or frizz!
Conclusion
Whether you’re using a plop, braids, or a hairdryer with a diffuser, there are many ways to quickly and easily dry your hair.
To speed up the drying process and prevent frizzing or damage, make sure to use a sulfate-free shampoo, avoid rubbing your hair with a towel, and use a t-shirt instead of a towel.
Additionally, you can use a heat protectant spray when using a hairdryer, wring out your hair before drying it, and keep the dryer moving while using it. With these tips in mind, you can quickly and easily dry your hair without any damage or frizz!