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The common presumption is that the hair dryer is the arch enemy of every woman’s hairdo. Using a dryer too much can be a source of dull, frizzy hair, static, and even split ends. Follow our ultimate guide and you’ll soon make peace with your hair dryer - and your hair! The first step is ensuring you get your hands on a quality dryer, but not all dryers are built the same.

What different kinds of hair dryers are available?

1. Brush hair dryer

Combines drying and a brush for easy hair styling. Warm air flows through the brush, so while brushing your hair, you also warm it to the style you want it in one easy step.

2. Handheld hair dryers

The most common type of hair dryers used to dry one’s hair with a brush or other styling aids.

3. Bonnet hair dryer

This works by putting on a helmet like in the oldtime salons. These dryers are used with hair that is set in curlers or conditioning hair treatments and can be operated hands-free. Today, they come in portable and light versions with heat settings that can be adjusted.

4. Wall mounted

They are similar to the handheld hair dryers but come in a wall mounting design for safety, eliminating electrical shocks in wet bathrooms, as they can be mounted to a wall within one’s reach but off of the countertop. Usually they are a lot smaller than the handheld units and may not have a lot of features.

5. Ionic hair dryers

This has a fitted ion generator that releases negatively charged ions which penetrates each hair and hydrates it from the inside reducing static charge that can cause frizzy hair. This results in smooth and glossy hair that rests flatly.

6. Professional hair dryers

These are durable compared to retail hair dryers and offer many features such as ion and infrared heating technology. This also means they are more complex, having a variety of speed and heat settings. A professional hair dryer can handle long hours of professional use in beauty salons.

Professional hair dryer versus standard hair dryer: What’s the difference?

Professional:

• Has several power settings, or a dial that goes from off to full power for maximum control
• Has a full range of heat settings
• Designed to tolerate frequent use
• Come with an AC adaptor motor which provides the dryer with extended life
• Often designed with a narrow barrel nozzle that, along with the AC motor, deliver a faster flow of air.
• True cold setting that actually cools air, not just takes
• Gentler to the hair because they have lower wattage output
• Less energy needed = less electric bill!

Standard Retail:

• Often has only one power setting, sometimes more
• Often has no cold air setting or limited heat settings
• Will not sustain long hours of every day use

Regardless of which model you choose, make sure that your hair dryer has at least the following specifications:

• Wattage of about 1,600
• Light weight
• Features different heat and power settings
• Auto shut off
• Nozzle to direct better heat flow
• Cool air setting to set hair into place
• Removable filter

Blow dry your hair like a pro:

1. Shampoo and condition your hair well.
2. Dry your hair by wrapping it with a towel and squeezing off excess water. Never rub your hair with a towel as this can cause split ends.
3. Comb your hair carefully making sure that you comb all the knots and tangles out.
4. Face the mirror.
5. Apply and massage onto hair any styling product that you have chosen.
6. If you want added volume. Bend your head down, brush hair downwards while drying the hair. After which you can then go back to your normal position, and continue drying your hair in sections.
7. If you have long hair, use a clip to separate hair into sections, drying the bottom sections first.
8. Starting at the back, dry the hair section in the nape of your neck first.
9. Directing airflow from the root of the hair to the end, work your way up at the back of your head. Drying from the roots to the ends will prevent the hair cuticle from wearing out so as not to give your hair a dull look.
10. Keep on drying the hair until you reach the crown of your hair.
11. After the back, blow dry the sides and the front of your hair into sections. To create a style and body, hold the dryer on the curling brush for a couple of seconds and remove the heat. Leave the brush in place until it cools, then take it off.
12. When hair is completely dry, brush and style as you desire.

Prevent split ends! Here’s how:

• Towel dry the hair first
• To protect your hair, use thermal hair products or leave on conditioners every time you blow dry your hair
• Point the airflow down to the hair shaft to smoothen the cuticles
• Do not hold the dryer too near to the scalp. Instead, hold it at least six inches away from your head while moving it continuously

For more great hair dryer related articles and resources check out hairdryer.haircarehaven.com.

With an onslaught of shampoo commercials on TV, featuring models with long, smooth and super straight tresses, it is no wonder that a big chunk of the women population want their hair to look impeccibly perfect. As a result, hair salons offering hair-straightening services continue to mushroom all over. Do-it-yourself hair treatments, hair ironing kits, and other various hair products are constantly being upgraded, with new and improved.

To say that there’s a great variety of hair-straightening methods and products to choose from is an understatement. Women find themselves in a dilemma on what would suit them, and bring out the best results. Among their major concerns is cost. When it comes to hair treatment, does price really matter? Will a more expensive process generate better results, or do cheaper ones suffice?

Factors to consider:

1. Hair Condition

Needless to say, more work translates to higher costs. The curlier the hair, the more expensive the salon treatment or hair product will be.

2. Treatment life span

One has to choose whether she wants her hair to be straight permanently or for a certain period only. While some women prefer to have hair a la Cher for their entire life, others love experimenting with various hairstyles - frizzy one day, super straight the next. A permanent treatment’s rate will of course be higher than a temporary one.

3. Maintenance

When one constantly takes good care of her hair, especially after undergoing a hair-straightening treatment, there will be less frequent salon visits necessary.

$$$$$: Chemically straightened treatment done by professionals in a salon

While there are hair straightening formulas readily available in the market, it is still recommended to leave the chemicals to the experts. The reason is simple: dealing with strong chemicals requires technical know-how of the entire hair straightening process. Also, professionals will be able to evaluate one’s hair condition to find out how strong the chemicals will be used, to avoid any damage.

$$$$: Hair ironing kit

While this hair tool is, of course, cheaper than a salon visit, it does not guarantee lasting results. Hair irons come in various types. Those using metal plates are usually the cheapest, but it is not recommended for regular use because its surface will cause hair damage in the long run. The ceramide hair iron is considered gentler and effective, but it comes with a higher price tag. Using ceramic plates, this kind of iron is smoother, which will result in better flattening of hair. It also has a better control in temperature, that will prevent burning and permanent hair damage. In buying a hair iron, make sure to test it before buying. Thoroughly read and follow the instructions included in the kit. When you regularly iron your hair, avoid using other chemical treatments, such as coloring dyes, because it might result in hair damage. It is also recommended to have a regular trim to prevent split ends from occurring.

$$$: Hair dryer

Amazingly, despite the emergence of newer hair straightening products, the good old hair dryer is still surviving, and in fact, still widely used. Perhaps among the cheapest of hair straightening products, the hair dryer still remains to be reliable in temporarily managing frizzy hair. Like the hair iron its results last only until the next wash. Before starting, make sure the hair is free of tangles by using a wide toothed comb. It should also be slightly moist. Use a large and round brush for better results. Setting lotion, gel or leave-on conditioner may also be applied after blowing the hair to eliminate frizz and achieve a smoother, silkier appearance.

For more great hair straight related articles and resources check out hairstraightener.haircarehaven.com.