Sure, patience is a virtue but if you’re anything like us, you want instant gratification—and nowhere is this more apparent than post-hair wash. When it comes to wet hair, sacrificing time doesn’t have to mean compromising your hair’s integrity with high heat. Though a blow dryer is our go-to for achieving dry hair in a pinch, these wet-to-dry hair hacks will make you rethink turning up the heat. Read on for expert tips on how to achieve dry hair without a blow dryer.
WET-TO-DRY HAIR HACKS THAT'LL SAVE YOU TIME
TOWEL DRY ON THE GO
Head out the door with your towel on? It’s possible with the Kitsch towel scrunchie. “The Kitsch towel scrunchie is a scrunchie made of super-absorbent microfiber material designed to help dry hair more effectively and conveniently,” says the brand’s founder and CEO Cassandra Thurswell. “To use the towel scrunchie, you flip your hair over and gather it into a loose ponytail or bun at the crown of your head. Then, you secure the towel scrunchie around the base of the ponytail or bun, allowing the absorbent fabric to wrap around your hair. This helps to absorb excess moisture from your hair, promoting faster drying,” she explains.
It’s even better than a regular towel when it comes to drying hair. “Firstly, the absorbent microfiber material used in our towel scrunchies is often more effective at wicking away moisture from the hair compared to traditional towels. This can lead to faster drying times and reduced friction on the hair, which can help minimize frizz and damage. Additionally, the design of the towel scrunchie allows for hands-free drying, as you can secure it in place while you go about other tasks, which might be more convenient than holding a regular towel in place,” she continues.
So how long does it take for hair to dry? “The time it takes for hair to dry can vary significantly depending on factors such as hair type, length, thickness, and environmental conditions. On average, it might take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours for hair to air-dry naturally. However, using a towel scrunchie can help speed up this process significantly,” Thurswell notes. “Different hair types may react differently to the towel scrunchie,” she continues. “People with curly or textured hair, for instance, might benefit from the reduced frizz and damage that the towel scrunchie can offer. Some prefer to use it as a prep before heat styling their hair.” To care for the scruncie, treat it like a regular towel—it needs to be “washed and cared for to maintain its absorbency and hygiene.”
GRAB A T-SHIRT
“Using a T-shirt to dry the hair after washing can be more gentle on the hair than a towel because the fabric is generally very absorbent and smooth, explains Dr. Iris Rubin, dermatologist and founder of SEEN Haircare.
“A T-shirt absorbs excess moisture, reduces friction, and can help minimize damage to the hair’s cuticle layer, which is the outer part of the hair strand. Traditional towels have a rougher texture and can lead to breakage and frizz. A T-shirt is generally smoother and less abrasive than a towel,” says Shiva Tavakoli, founder of JOON Haircare.
The trick lies in using it right. “When you use a T-shirt as a wrap on wet hair, it absorbs excess water without roughing up the hair’s cuticles, which can lead to frizz and breakage. However, you only get these benefits if you blot or wrap your hair with a shirt. If you rub your hair vigorously with a tee, you can expect the same potential pitfalls as you would experience by using a towel,” adds Dr. Rubin.
“Regardless of how you dry your hair, it can be helpful to use some sort of leave-in styling product. This helps minimize frizz and enhance hair smoothness, and a styling product that provides the hair with UV and pollution protection can help prevent damage caused by environmental aggressors. SEEN Blow-Out Creme and Curly Creme can be used whether you air-dry, heat style, or use a T-shirt to dry your hair. These products are non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and safe for sensitive skin, so you can enjoy gorgeous hair and healthy skin,” she continues.
Although how long it takes to dry the hair depends on a person’s hair type, length, thickness, humidity or environment, and even how you use the T-shirt to dry the hair, “For most people, 20 to 30 minutes is how long you should have your hair wrapped with a shirt,” says Tavakoli.
“For people with curly or wavy hair, using a shirt can help maintain a natural curl pattern and reduce frizz. This is also known as plopping,” she adds. To totally eliminate frizz, Tavakoli recommends applying a lightweight, antioxidant-rich, fast-absorbing hair oil like JOON Saffron Hair Elixir to moisturize, protect, detangle, and smooth your hair.
SPLURGE ON THE DYSON AIRSTRAIT
The Dyson Airstrait works via controlled airflow instead of heat, similar to Dyson’s other products. However, unlike traditional flat irons which require hair to be totally dry before straightening, it takes hair from wet to dry without extreme heat or hot plates.
As celebrity stylist Irinel de León points out, the key to using the Airstrait is going slow. “The slower you go, the better,” she shares.
The Airstrait has two modes: wet and dry. Once hair is straightened and dry, you can go over it again in dry mode. It also has a built-in check for heat damage, ensuring that it doesn’t go above a certain temperature. This ensures hair is healthy, shiny, and straight without burning the cuticle. “I love that this machine is engineered for all hair types. For types 3 and 4, this will achieve a stretched finish,” she notes. Give or take, the Airstrait will take hair from wet to dry in about 25 minutes.
