Choosing a good hair dryer is essential to perform its drying function in the shortest possible time without mistreating your hair.
Not all hair dryers are created equally. There are several factors you need to consider when shopping for a new hair dryer, and your hair type, length, and texture. Many folks make the mistake of purchasing a generic hair dryer, only to realize that the tool isn't working with their hair, making the hair styling process that much more difficult. Having the right hair dryer for your hair type can make a world of a difference not only during the hair styling process but after, ensuring that your style is locked in, your curl pattern is smooth and uniform, and your hair looks healthy and shiny.
In this article you’ll learn what features it should have for a professional finish. Hair salons always manage to leave the hair perfect with the help of professional hair dryers.
These dryers dry, straighten or curl with maximum efficiency thanks to their features: good power, various speeds and cold air selector.
It is good to learn how to use these tools correctly to avoid damaging your hair. In addition, it’s also a good idea to use heat protection products and to keep a safe distance when drying your hair. This way you will be able to achieve the highest quality results.
Sam Villa utilizes patented Evolution -Turbo Compressor technology to blow stylists away with an ergonomically correct blow dryer that delivers intense power and airflow in a quiet, incredibly light dryer.
The E-T.C. Light Professional Ionic Hair Dryer is designed for minimum effort and maximum results.
"Stylists have been asking me to develop a blow dryer for a while and I wanted to make sure I could create one that fit into my ergonomic philosophy, especially when it came to the weight and sound.
I was determined to develop a very light and quiet blow dryer that's durable and powerful with an ergonomic handle for all day comfort." says Villa.
The E-T.C. Light Professional Ionic Hair Dryer is made exclusively for Sam Villa in cooperation with the GammaPiu Company in Italy, well regarded for their design innovation and top quality performance.
It's compact (only 18 cm long), light-weight (less than a pound) and has a patented Evolution-Turbo Compressor that delivers intense power quietly - all features contributing to an ergonomically correct design that reduces muscle strain for hairdressers.
It has built in ceramic/tourmaline ion generation for maximum shine and frizz reduction, features two (2) heat settings and three speed settings, and a cool shot button to lock in styles and promote luster.
Other features include a ten (10) foot long cord and a removable filter that twists to unlock for easy cleaning.
The E-T.C. Light Professional Ionic Hair Dryer also comes with two rotating concentrator nozzles (wide and narrow) and a deep bowl diffuser.
"I'm educating stylists on how to direct nozzles correctly and it's amazing how many stylists are repositioning their bodies to accommodate the nozzle when they should be repositioning the nozzle to accommodate their bodies.
When a nozzle is positioned vertically to the blow dryer, the airflow to the head is minimized and surface area reduced. If a nozzle is turned diagonally, the air will flow around the head hitting a larger surface area, which will dry hair faster." says Sam Villa.
Watch the video above for more blow drying tips from Sam Villa.
What features does a professional hair dryer have?
- Power. Professional hair dryers have a minimum power of 2200W. This is the best option for fast and efficient results.
- Ionic technology. It releases negative ions sealing the cuticles of wet hair quickly, avoiding frizz and giving shine to the hair.
- Temperature and speed. A professional hairdryer should be able to adjust the power and speed to suit the needs of your hair. Also include the application of cold air blow to apply at the end of drying and fix the hairstyle, you will lengthen its duration.
- Diffuser and concentrator. These accessories allow you to achieve different finishes, the diffuser provides volume while the concentrator is indicated for a smooth hairstyle.
- Materials. They are usually made of shock-proof, anti-shock plastic polymers. An important thing to consider is that a good hairdryer should have a removable filter to keep the appliance clean and free of obstructions.
- Size. In this case, size does matter. Typically, larger dryers are associated with more power and smaller dryers are associated with travel size. In this case, drying a medium-long hair can take up to 430 strokes. So, the less it weighs, the less stiffness we'll have.
- Extras. Accessories such as nozzles and diffusers bring different uses to the same dryer. The narrow nozzle helps to focus the air to the same area, facilitating smoothing. Meanwhile, the diffusers (the large, round heads) are perfect for volumizing and defining curly hair.
Nozzle Tips
- Wide nozzles should be used for drying long thick hair to expand the width of the airflow.
- Narrow nozzles are used for polished finishes when more air concentration is needed.
- Take the nozzle off for fine hair - it should be blast dried 80% to pump up the cuticle for volume. Then, apply Redken aerate 08 and continue to blow dry with a narrow nozzle and round brush for volume and control.
- Use a diffuser to dry naturally curly hair to reduce frizz and respect the curl pattern. Apply Redken Fresh Curl Refiner to damp hair first to tame, detangle and control frizz for lasting memory, manageability and shine.
Tips for using the dryer without damaging the hair
- Before blow-drying the hair, towel dry it. This helps to reduce damage to the hair and prevent it from drying out.
- Use products designed to protect the hair from heat.
- It is recommended to use round brushes. You can use cool air to soften the hair.
- Don't hold the blow dryer too close to the hair so as not to electrify the hair.
- Try to dry the roots of the hair first. The roots of the hair should go first. Water goes from roots to ends, so you need to dry the roots in the first place.
- To get volume, dry the hair upside down with the blow dryer at about 15 cm with circular movements.
- Don't forget to nourish the hair with good products and hair masks, they are the hydration it needs. Use tonics, shampoos and conditioners specific to your hair type: dry, mixed or greasy.
Benefits of blow-drying our hair
Most people think that the hair dryer is a tool that causes irreparable damage to the hair (especially when used incorrectly). But this is not entirely true as wet hair can have worse consequences.
Some studies have determined that even if you don't use your hair dryer perfectly, it can still have benefits. On the other hand, not doing so causes as much damage as towel-drying or leaving it in the air.
The prolonged humidity that remains in the hair when it is left in the air deteriorates the cell membrane responsible for shine and elasticity. That is why it is important to do it very carefully. It should not be rubbed, only with small touches, so that it absorbs the water in a very gentle way.
So, due to its characteristics, the hair dryer provides greater density, volume and natural shape to the hair. In addition, its air heat is less aggressive than other heat sources. It dries in less time without damaging the cuticle.
However, it is important to note that before drying the hair with a blow dryer it is important to towel dry the excess water from the hair.
