BLOW DRYING MADE SIMPLE
 
It depends upon the right technique 

With a blow dryer, you can dry your hair “as fast as the wind” and also create your personalized look.  Some hairstyles cannot be created without the use of a blow dryer.  That is why it is good to know exactly how to correctly blow dry hair.  Admittedly, while a dryer is useful, it can also stress hair due to improper use.  However, if you follow these few small tips, nothing will stand in the way of voluminous waves, a shiny, sleek look, or hair that is dried “as fast as the wind”.

Your hair reacts sensitively to heat

Wet hair is extremely sensitive, because water dissolves temporarily its form-giving shell of the hair comprising salts and hydrogen bonds.  That is why violent brushing, vigorous rubbing with a towel and a taut hairstyle like a stark ponytail is taboo for wet hair.  But what about drying?  Avoid using excessive heat.  Whereas dry hair can easily withstand temperatures of 175 degrees Celsius, this can be deadly for wet hair.  At temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius, bubbles can develop in the hair structure.  Water steams up in the hair structure and the ensuing pressure bursts open the softened sheath of the hair.  Hair becomes brittle, dull and lackluster.

How can this be avoided?

A good dryer should have at least two heat settings, a cool shot button and two speed settings.  The distance between dryer and hair should be at least 20 cm.  We recommend, as mentioned above, selecting not the highest setting but and also controlling the temperature with your free hand.  Pleasant warmth is ideal; anything hotter is not advisable.  It may take a bit longer until your hair is dry, but it will remain healthy.

Extra tips: You use the cool shot button to remove heat from the blow dryer. This button makes it easier to cool your hair, giving it more bounce and hold.

Blow dry individual strands from the roots to the ends and try to maintain a 45 degree angle  of the stream of air in the direction of hair growth.  This will smooth the cuticle and create shine.  Always keep the dryer in motion so that the heat is not fixed to one point.

Schwarzkopf expert advice:

Dr. Elisabeth Poppe from Product Development at Henkel:

She is director of product development for hair care products at Schwarzkopf & Henkel.  The focus of her work is the worldwide coordination with marketing and the development of innovative technologies and formulas for hair care.

If you have short hair, you can blow dry daily and nothing will happen.  Blow drying also does not harm longer hair—this only needs to be done correctly.  Because wet hair is very sensitive and to pulling and tearing, one should use a conditioner, carefully detangle it with a wide toothed comb and then shape as desired.  But not with a brush with metal bristle—this heats up to much.  If you blow dry so that the temperature is pleasant on your hand, then you avoid damage due to excessive heat.  It is better to select a lower temperature, but increase the force of air.  Specially formulated blow drying products also naturally help to protect hair.

Brush know-how for shine and volume  

When you work with an extremely thick round brush or paddle brush, you can create a sleek look by drawing the brush slowly through the sections of hair accompanied by the blow dryer air.

Thick brushes give straight hair bounce and fullness and can even create ample curls.   Thick bristles prevent hair from falling and entangling. 

Small round brushes are ideal for stabile, lasting curls and bounce for mid-length hair.

The surface of thermal brushes should be made from Teflon or chrome, because they do not store less heat.  Most important is an anti-stick coating, which prevents hair from sticking to the brush and allows for better winding of curls.

Paddle brushes

These consist of impregnated wood and are particularly suitable for blow drying long hair.  Soft anti-static nylon bristles guarantee a gentle scalp massage and ultimate shine.

Ceramic styling brushes

This brush has seven rows and a plastic surface.  The edges are rounded and made of heat-resistant ceramic.  They are gentle to hair and the scalp.

Ceramic thermo brushes

Ceramic brushes have a soft touch handle, are permeable to air and store heat.  They ensure a constant dispensation of warmth and the mix of natural and nylon brushes help give hair fantastic shine.

Jumbo comb

This is ideal for detangling hair and for distributing hair care products.  It is hand-crafted and made of natural rubber, has notched, seamless teeth and rounded ends.