Will blow drying hinder my hair journey?

[havilland]

i think it varies from person to person, depending on your hair and how often you would be blowdrying. if i blow dry more than once per month, i am not able to retain more length. frequent blowdrying (for me), leads to more split ends and dryer hair which in turn leads to more trimming/cutting of my hair. its taken me forever to realize that i just can't get away with blowdrying too much, no matter what heat protectant i use.

i haven't put down the blowdryer all together though, but i try not to use more than once per month. also, i'm currently about an inch below brastrap.

^^^^^this is basically me too. i am apl though...sorry didn't read the op

except i only blow dry with touch ups now. heat keeps me from retaining

 

[hillytmj]

I'm a firm believer in roller setting. When I want to get that length on point, I just suck it up and roller set. It becomes second nature after a while and the results are well worth it. There are no short cuts to long hair IMO. Patience and TLC are the key.

ETA: I dont want to make it seem like I never use a blow dryer because I do. Just when I have to, which is usually no more than once every 2 or so months. I wash my hair every 5 to 7 days and unless its super urgent, I sit under the Pibbs with rollers every time. Frequent blow dryer use (more than twice a month) is not good for your ends.

Me too. I rollerset weekly, and its been great for my hair.

 

[malachi74]

i'm BSL and I blow dry my hair to stretch after every wash aand DC which is about twice a week. I don't think my length retention has been hindered

 

[southerncitygirl]

nope, increase your using products that contain protein and keep that balanced with moisture you should be fine.the only exception maybe if you're a weekly washer, alternate with roller sets braid/twistouts, etc.

 

[Akemi]

I'm not BSL yet, I'm APL.

But OP, I wanted to add that the type of blow dryer you use makes a huge difference. I've found that my hair feels and acts much better using a quality dryer (I have a Sedu). Before getting the Sedu, I used a $20 Andis dryer and my hair would always be crunchy, dry and breaking.

But now my hair is retaining length and feels moisturized. I use it every week. My drying time is cut down even if I use a low setting.

You should take that into consideration.

 

[Tiye]

I'm not BSL yet, I'm APL.

But OP, I wanted to add that the type of blow dryer you use makes a huge difference. I've found that my hair feels and acts much better using a quality dryer (I have a Sedu). Before getting the Sedu, I used a $20 Andis dryer and my hair would always be crunchy, dry and breaking.

But now my hair is retaining length and feels moisturized. I use it every week. My drying time is cut down even if I use a low setting.

You should take that into consideration.

^^I was going to ask whether anyone thought the type of blow dryer made a difference. So thanks for this info.

I think it's also important that you know how to blow dry. Example I do not know much about blow drying, but I felt like experimenting so I watched some youtube videos then I went gave it a try. I think I did okay but I didn't really care for it because I pulled out more hair than I'm happy with giving up. I attribute this to not knowing how to use a round brush - my brush, dryer coordination skills are weak, and also I think the brush I used was not the right size for my hair. My dryer is conair brand, I bought it years ago from costco and no longer have the box so I have no idea what type it is. It's been rarely used but I decided to give it a try and see if it could be used safely. As for the dryness - well it has been an extremely humid week so I don't think anyone's hair feels dry right now no matter what you do to it.

 

[Jazala]

Not sure if anyone above mentioned this but please be sure to use a really good moisturizing DC with heat prior to using blow dryers and flatirons. I use direct heat weekly and the DCing makes a huge difference in how much moisture my hair retains throughout the week. I don't even have to moisturize daily anymore.

 

[charmtreese]

My hair is soo fine that any heat too often can cause damage. I have even experienced damage from roller setting once a week with the bonnet dryer, albeit the damage is no where near that of the blowdryer (but damage just the same). Whereas some people are protein sensitive, my hair is heat sensitive!

The amount of heat one can use really depends on your hair type (fine, medium or coarse),hair density and chemical alterations. Since I have fine, relaxed, low density hair, heat can really cause havoc on my strands.

 

[Dee_33]

Not sure if anyone above mentioned this but please be sure to use a really good moisturizing DC with heat prior to using blow dryers and flatirons. I use direct heat weekly and the DCing makes a huge difference in how much moisture my hair retains throughout the week. I don't even have to moisturize daily anymore.

What do you use to DC and what technique do you use?

Thanks

 

[JJamiah]

I'm not BSL yet, I'm APL.

But OP, I wanted to add that the type of blow dryer you use makes a huge difference. I've found that my hair feels and acts much better using a quality dryer (I have a Sedu). Before getting the Sedu, I used a $20 Andis dryer and my hair would always be crunchy, dry and breaking.

But now my hair is retaining length and feels moisturized. I use it every week. My drying time is cut down even if I use a low setting.

You should take that into consideration.

Not sure if anyone above mentioned this but please be sure to use a really good moisturizing DC with heat prior to using blow dryers and flatirons. I use direct heat weekly and the DCing makes a huge difference in how much moisture my hair retains throughout the week. I don't even have to moisturize daily anymore.

You hit it right on the nose. My first dryer conair used to fry fry fry my hair. My latest Dryer Jilbere Tourmaline is awesome. It blow drys quicker and feels a lot better.

For Me DC makes all the difference

 

[BriDa5242]

I am natural and when I do blow dry my hair I set it on (cold setting) yes I tell EVERYONE this and my hair seems very healthy and big http://members.fotki.com/Bisthebest/about/