There is a wide array of factors that can contribute to hair loss or hair thinning. Genetic, dietary, and environmental conditions can all work against a person in this regard. But can the way you dry your hair lead to hair loss?
Why Does My Hair Fall Out When I Dry it?
Styling tools that rely on heat – such as curling irons and hair dryers – can damage your hair, contributing to hair shedding or loss. Towel drying can also be problematic… depending on how it is done. The vigorous abrasion of the hair strands while using a towel can be responsible for extreme breakage.
What Is the Healthiest Way to Towel Dry Your Hair?
Avoid the friction and damage caused by rubbing your hair dry with a towel. When your hair is wet, the cuticles are raised and more vulnerable to external stressors – including aggressive towel drying.
Cotton (which most towels are made of) rubs these cuticles and the hair shafts in a damaging way. The best and healthiest way to towel dry your hair is to pat it dry. That way you absorb the moisture without causing damage to the hair’s structure.
What Is the Best Towel for Fine Hair?
Fine hair is more susceptible to breakage by its nature, so it is best to take extra care with it. Is there a perfect towel for fine hair? Or at least a least damaging one?
Microfiber towels are the best option. Cotton towels are covered in small loops – which catch and abrade the hair. Since microfiber lacks these loops, they cause almost no friction by comparison. They are also a vast improvement when it comes to liquid absorption.
How Can I Dry My Hair Without Damaging It?
It seems as though hair drying that does not involve application of heat or typical towel drying can be tricky. The best approach does involve towels… but used in a different way.
First, gently squeeze out all the excess moisture from your hair. Then wrap your hair with a microfiber towel. Microfiber can absorb up to seven times its weight in water and will wick out the moisture.
Should You Let Hair Dry Naturally?
You should always make certain that you squeeze out all the extra water from your hair before beginning to let it air dry. If you try to just let it dry from a soaking wet state you can cause long-term damage.
The longer your hair remains wet, the more the cortex of each strand of hair will swell and fracture as it absorbs that water. This has been shown in studies to actually cause more damage than heat-based surface damage from blow drying.
RHRLI Are the Hair Restoration Experts
Are you noticing thinning hair or obvious hair loss? At RHRLI, we bring years of experience and expertise to the table, having transplanted more than a million hair follicles over those years. From non-surgical therapies to the ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant System we have the solutions you are looking for. Contact us today for a free consultation.