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There are tons of different methods and techniques for styling curly hair. Some may work wonders for your curls and others...not so much. But what about the drying stage though? One of the common questions we get asked here at LUS is whether it’s better to air dry or diffuse curly hair. That’s why we’re breaking down the pros and cons of each option to help you decide what’s best for you. The Drying DebateAir Drying and Diffusing are two of the main ways curly girls will dry their hair once they’ve finished their styling application. Air drying is pretty self-explanatory. After completing your entire wash, condition, and styling process, you essentially leave your curls alone and allow them to gradually dry on their own. Diffusing, on the other hand, is quite different. Once you’re done styling your hair, you use your trusty hairdryer and diffuser attachment and gently dry your curls. So which drying style works best? There are pros and cons to both... Air Drying Curly HairTHE PROS
THE CONS
This might not de a deal-breaker when the sun is out but in colder climates, walking around with wet curls can be quite uncomfortable and not ideal for the health of your curls.
THE END RESULTThis is different for everybody. Some swear that air drying is the best way to get the ultimate curl definition. On the other hand, we’ve heard from other curlies in our community who either have loose, thin/fine or sometimes even damaged curls who say that air drying makes their hair look less defined. This is usually because the weight of the water in their strands stretches out their curl pattern in the time it takes for them to dry. Tips for Air Drying Curly Hair
Diffusing Curly HairTHE PROS
THE CONS
THE END RESULTDiffusing all comes down to technique. If you aren’t careful, diffusing your hair can result in a lot of undesired frizz if you disrupt your curls too much throughout the drying process. And just like air drying, different hair types experience different results when they diffuse their hair. Those with tighter curl patterns sometimes experience extreme or uneven shrinkage when they use a diffuser attachment. Tips for Diffusing Curly HairPlop: Plopping isn’t just great for air drying your curls, it’s also perfect for diffusing, because it cuts down on the time you have to use heat on your precious curls. So next time you diffuse, plop for five minutes first, and then pull out the big guns. Low-Medium Heat: There’s no need to use the highest heat setting! The medium setting dries your curls and waves just fine, it just may take a little longer. And hey, a little patience is certainly worth preserving the health of your curls. For more tips and tricks, check out this vid of our founder, Sahar, where she went live to demonstrate side by side how different application techniques can yield different results. She also provides some solid advice on how she diffuses her waist-length curls for the best results.
How Should You Dry Your Curls?Ultimately, the choice is yours! Remember, curly hair is all about experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it’s different from what your favorite curly hair IG influencer does! It’s also okay to switch things up! Maybe you’ve been an "air dryer" since middle school, but the promise of less frizz is making you think about switching to diffusing. Some curlies will even switch up their drying styles depending on the weather. They’ll air dry for the hotter months in the spring and summer and then switch to diffusing when the temperature drops in the fall and winter. Whatever you do, don’t forget to take pictures and share with us by tagging @lusbrands ... We love seeing you rock your curls! Is air drying or diffusing better for curly hair?Key Takeaways. Air drying gives your hair a natural finish but makes it frizzy, while diffusers help you get a more defined curl. Air drying eliminates heat damage, but high-porosity curls take painstakingly longer to dry out. This is where blow-drying comes in handy.
Is air drying better for curly hair?No heat: Overdoing the heat (whether it's from a flat iron or hairdryer) can deprive your hair of moisture, and affect the health of your curls. Air drying is ideal for healthy curls since it saves them from heat damage and dry/split ends.
Does a diffuser make a difference for curly hair?Diffusing Creates Big, Curly Hair
"The benefits of using a diffuser are faster drying time, and bouncier, fuller, voluminous curls," Emilio says. "Diffusers diffuse the air, aka, they disperse it, which means it prevents the dryer from roughening up the cuticle of the hair. It protects curls from frizz."
Does diffusing curly hair ruin it?There is no proof that diffusers cause damage to curly hair. In fact, they're a curl's best friend! They help hold the curls' shape, resulting in better curls and less frizz. Of course, there's a risk of heat damage with all hair appliances, so use a heat protector and keep your hairdryer on a lower heat setting.
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