14 Jun Blowout distress? Maybe it’s your blowdryer!

Have you often wondered why you can’t replicate the hairstyle created at the salon? You pay attention, ask questions and feel like you’ve done everything right, to no avail. Well, there could be one major culprit leading to your tresse distress.

Maybe it’s time to examine your hairdryer situation. Believe it or not, dryer technology has evolved greatly over the last fifteen years or so. And of course, as with everything, the more features-the more money. So, sorry to tell ya, your ten year old $20 Conair may not be cutting the mustard. Some of the more prominent and beneficial features offered on hairdryers are ‘ionic’ and ‘tourmaline’. They are kind of the same but benefit different hair types.

So let’s start with ionic. A truly ionic dryer emits negatively charged particles that counteract the positively charged water particles in you hair. Ions and heat combine forces to seal the hair cuticle and dry the hair faster. The effect is sleeker, shinier hair with more body and the reduction of frizz. An ionic dryer is a good choice for those who have a finer texture that want more lift and body.

Tourmaline is a mineral that generates negative ions and infrared heat. It too seals the hair cuticle making the hair appear sleeker. Because of the reduced heat, it causes the hair to also be softer. PLUS, it will also reduce your drying time by up to 40%. Although they tend to be more expensive, this is the better choice for people with medium to thicker texture hair.

Of course you can spend all the money you want on a dryer. But if you don’t clean out the intake filter, it is all for naught. This will cause the dryer to overheat. Possibly damaging your hair, not to mention burning up your dryer.

Does the science make you more confused? Me, too!! But don’t let it. Basically the way it breaks down is this. If you have finer hair and want volume, a good ionic dryer should serve you well. If you hair is on the medium to coarse side and thicker, you need a tourmaline dryer. Nobody wants the frizzés!! And goodness knows, we need all the help we can get this summer down here on the Gulf Coast.

-Bernadette Abrahams