The hair cuticle, a crucial element for maintaining hair health, benefits greatly from using a blow dryer in cold settings. Many individuals are discovering that the Dyson Supersonic, a popular tool in professional salons, features precise temperature controls enabling consistent cold air flow. The proper utilization of a blow dryer in cold settings, recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology, can help reduce frizz and enhance shine by sealing the cuticle. This technique, often considered a modern beauty secret, involves completing your blow-drying session with a cool shot using a blow dryer in cold settings to lock in your style and increase manageability.
Image taken from the YouTube channel Blowout Professor , from the video titled The Most Important Setting on Your Blow Dryer .
Unlocking the Potential: Using Your Blow Dryer in Cold Settings
The humble blow dryer, often associated with heat and styling, holds a surprising secret: the cold setting. While seemingly less powerful, using your blow dryer in cold settings can offer a multitude of benefits for your hair’s health and appearance. Let’s explore how and why.
Understanding the Science Behind Cold Air
Why Cold Air Matters
Heat, while effective for quick drying and shaping, can damage the hair shaft over time. Excessive heat can lead to dryness, breakage, and frizz. Cold air, on the other hand, offers a gentler approach. It primarily works by:
- Sealing the Cuticle: The hair cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair strand. Heat can lift and roughen this layer. Cold air helps to flatten and seal the cuticle, resulting in smoother, shinier hair.
- Reducing Frizz: By sealing the cuticle, cold air minimizes the hair’s ability to absorb moisture from the air, a primary cause of frizz.
- Setting Styles: Cold air can help to set hairstyles and add hold without the damaging effects of heat. Think of it as the finishing touch to "lock in" your look.
Incorporating Cold Air into Your Hair Routine
When to Use Cold Air
Using a blow dryer in cold settings isn’t necessarily a replacement for heat styling, but a strategic addition to your routine. Consider incorporating it:
- After Heat Styling: After using heat to curl, straighten, or volumize your hair, finish with a blast of cold air to set the style and add shine.
- During the Drying Process: Even when heat drying, switch to cold air towards the end of the process to help seal the cuticle.
- For a Quick Refresh: If your hair looks dull or frizzy, a quick blast of cold air can help to smooth it down.
- To Cool Down Scalp: If you experience scalp irritation after hot blowdrying, using the cold setting will help soothe the scalp.
How to Use Cold Air Effectively
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Start with Towel-Dried Hair: Gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as this can cause frizz.
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Apply Heat Protectant (Optional, but Recommended): Even if you’re primarily using cold air, applying a heat protectant can help shield your hair from residual heat and environmental factors.
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Rough Dry with Low Heat (Optional): If you’re short on time, you can rough dry your hair with low heat until it’s about 80% dry.
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Switch to Cold Air: Once your hair is mostly dry, switch your blow dryer to the cold setting.
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Focus on the Roots and Mid-Shaft: Direct the airflow towards your roots to add volume and your mid-shaft to smooth the hair.
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Use a Nozzle (Optional): Attaching a nozzle to your blow dryer can help to focus the airflow and create a sleeker finish.
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Keep Moving: Don’t hold the blow dryer in one spot for too long. Keep it moving to ensure even drying and avoid over-drying any one area.
Choosing the Right Blow Dryer
While most blow dryers have a cold setting, some models offer more consistent cold airflow and additional features:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Multiple Heat/Speed Settings | Allows for greater control and customization of the drying process. |
| Cool Shot Button | Provides a burst of cold air for quick setting and smoothing. |
| Ionic Technology | Helps to neutralize static and reduce frizz, further enhancing the benefits of using cold air. |
| Lightweight Design | Makes it easier to maneuver the blow dryer and reduces arm fatigue, especially during longer styling sessions. |
Dispelling Myths about Blow Drying with Cold Settings
Myth: Cold Air Doesn’t Dry Hair
While it takes longer to dry hair with cold air compared to hot air, it does dry hair. The airflow, regardless of temperature, helps to evaporate moisture.
Myth: Cold Air Doesn’t Style Hair
Cold air can definitely help set styles. It’s not ideal for creating initial shapes, but after using heat styling tools, cold air "locks in" the style and provides hold.
Myth: Cold Air Is Only for Fine Hair
All hair types can benefit from using a blow dryer in cold settings. The benefits of sealing the cuticle and reducing frizz apply to thick, coarse, fine, and all hair types in between. The only difference is the amount of time required to dry depending on hair thickness.
Cold Blow Dryer Settings: FAQs
Got questions about the cold air setting on your blow dryer? Here are some common inquiries answered.
What exactly does using a cold blow dryer do for my hair?
Using a blow dryer in cold settings helps to seal the hair cuticle after styling. This can reduce frizz, enhance shine, and lock in your hairstyle, making it last longer.
Is a cold blow dryer setting really that different from just letting my hair air dry?
Yes, it is! While air drying also avoids heat damage, a cold blow dryer setting actively closes the hair cuticle, creating a smoother, more polished finish that air drying alone cannot achieve. You get the benefit of minimal heat while still shaping your hair.
When should I use the cold setting on my blow dryer?
Always use the cold setting at the very end of your styling routine. Once you’ve finished drying and shaping your hair with heat, a final blast of cold air will set the style and boost shine.
Can the blow dryer in cold settings damage my hair?
No, using the cold setting on your blow dryer will not damage your hair. In fact, it’s a gentle way to finish your style and protect your hair from potential heat damage caused by hot styling tools. It helps close the cuticle and add shine.
So, give the blow dryer in cold settings a try next time you’re styling your hair! You might just find your new go-to trick for amazing results.