How to Quickly Dry Curly Hair
Quickly drying curly hair involves minimizing water and maximizing airflow while protecting the curl pattern. Diffusing is a superior method, but other techniques can help.
-
Diffusing: This is widely considered the quickest way to dry curly hair while minimizing frizz. A diffuser attachment on a hairdryer gently disperses airflow, preventing disruption to curl formation. Use a cool setting to avoid heat damage. [Reference: Diffusing is great way to dry curly hair because it is quicker than air drying and it helps to preserve your hair's natural curl pattern without causing frizz; Reddit discussions on drying curly hair mention diffusers as a fast drying method.]
-
Plopping: This technique involves gently wrapping your hair in a microfiber towel or old t-shirt to absorb excess water. This reduces drying time significantly before diffusing or air drying. [Reference: Plopping curls is also much gentler than using a regular cotton towel and reduces hair drying time and frizzy hair; Hair plopping is a heat-free way to dry curly hair.]
Additional Tips for Faster Drying:
-
Microfiber Towel: Use a microfiber towel instead of a regular cotton towel to absorb excess water more efficiently without roughing up the hair cuticle. [Reference: Use a microfiber towel to remove excess water; After you style your hair use an old T-shirt or microfiber towel and “dab” your hair to absorb some of the water without ruining your fresh curl]
-
Product Application: Apply styling products to damp (not soaking wet) hair. This allows for better product distribution and helps to reduce drying time. [Reference: Apply your products on damp hair. This takes out the water-weight immediately; Apply prep products to wet hair.]
-
Airflow: If air drying, position yourself in front of a fan to increase airflow and speed up the process. [Reference: In the car I blast air and that helps it dry a bit]
Important Considerations:
-
Heat Styling: Avoid high heat settings on hairdryers as this can damage curly hair. Cool or low heat settings are recommended when using a diffuser.
-
Product Choice: The right styling products can influence drying time and curl definition.