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Air Dry vs Blow Dry: Which Is Better for Your Hair?

Updated on August 13, 2025 | 4 min read

Jaclyn LaBadia, Davines Writer

You may believe your hair is safe from damage if you air dry instead blow dry, but air-drying may not be as good for your strands as you think. It’s become the default “healthier” way to care for your hair, but depending on your technique, air drying can cause more damage to your hair than blow drying. We are breaking down everything you need to know about drying your hair, including the signs of damage to look out for and the best tips and products for air drying versus blow drying your hair.

Key Takeaways

How To Dry Your Hair

Air drying hair is gentle but can cause breakage, frizz, and scalp issues if hair stays wet too long.
Blow drying hair gives smooth, voluminous results quickly but can dry out and weaken strands with excess heat.
Use cleansing shampoos and conditioners to strengthen hair before styling.
Always apply a heat protectant like This is a Blow Dry Primer before using hot tools.
For frizz-free, defined texture without heat, try Davines REPLUMPING Hair Filler Superactive when air drying.
Remove excess water with a microfiber towel to reduce damage, whichever method you choose.

Is Air Drying Hair Bad or Good?

Let’s start the air dry versus blow dry debate with a question—is air drying hair bad? Not necessarily. Your hair is fragile when wet and incredibly susceptible to damage. The longer it stays wet, like when left to air dry, the more prone to damage it becomes. This is even more true if your hair is bleached, dyed or otherwise chemically treated.

Hair strands are made up of the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. In between the cuticle and cortex, is a layer called the cell membrane complex, that binds the cell membranes between the cuticle and cortex. When this layer gets wet it swells, and over time, the swelling and de-swelling of the hair causes it to become weak and dry, leading to breakage.

Air drying is also known to increase frizz, buildup, and can even attract bacteria and fungus, which can lead to scalp problems. And this is particularly true if you have very thick or natural textured hair. So while air drying is generally gentler on your hair, it isn’t necessarily good for your hair, especially if the hair stays wet for extended periods.

Does Blow Drying Your Hair Damage It?

Next up, does blow drying your hair damage it?

This answer is easy, it's a resounding yes. Subjecting your hair to super-high temperatures strips it of its moisture and disrupts the cuticle. This weakens the hair, making it dry, frizzy and prone to split ends and breakage.

So if you use heat on your hair often, you’re more than likely stressing out your strands and causing damage. The extent of this damage, however, depends on factors like heat setting, distance from the hair, and frequency of use. Let’s take a closer look at the best way to blow dry your hair while mitigating damage.

Optimal Blow Drying Techniques to Minimize Damage

Blow drying doesn’t have to be detrimental to your strands, you just have to be smart about it.

Start by squeezing the excess water from your hair with a microfiber towel, then add your styling products—most importantly ones with heat protection. Never put heat to your hair without first applying a heat protectant product.
Use a medium temp setting and hold the hairdryer so that the air flows from roots down to ends, otherwise you risk tangles and frizz.
Dry your hair in sections, starting at the roots and working down.
Use a round brush to smooth and add volume and finish with a cool blast to seal the cuticles.

Should You Air Dry or Blow Dry?

So air drying or blow drying, which is better? There isn't much evidence to suggest either is better. Air drying is gentler on hair, promotes scalp health and encourages natural waves or curls, while minimizing heat damage. But air drying takes longer, leading to prolonged exposure to water, weakening the hair and increasing frizz.

Blow drying, on the other hand, dries faster for quicker styling, added volume and smoothness. But excessive heat leads to dryness, breakage and split ends. And blow drying requires a good quality blow dryer, which can be costly. The best option for you ultimately depends on your hair type, its current condition and your lifestyle, or how much time you have to style.

Effective Products for Healthy Hair Drying

Whether you choose to air dry or blow dry, your hair drying routine is only as good as the products you use. That’s where Davines comes in. Our leave-ins and styling products use high-quality natural ingredients to give your hair the nourishment and protection it deserves. From the best air dry product to the must-haves for blow drying, here’s everything to know about our favourite products for drying your hair.

Prepping and Priming for the Perfect Blowout

A great blowout starts before the dryer turns on. For a flawless, lasting style, start with freshly washed, conditioned hair suited to your hair type. Gently towel-dry, detangle, and apply a blow dry primer from mid-lengths to ends. Davines' This is a Primer protects up to 450°F, smooths the cuticle, speeds styling, boosts shine, and creates the perfect base for salon-quality results at home.

The Best Tool for the Perfect Blow Dry

The perfect job calls for the perfect tool. In the case of blow drying your hair, opt for an ionic blow dryer, which uses negatively charged ions to evaporate water, so the dryer uses less heat. And pay attention to wattage—the higher it is the faster the blow-dryer and less time your strands are exposed to heat. Eighteen hundred to 1850 watts will give you the speediest results.

Essentials for a Salon-Like Blowout

If you're looking to recreate a salon-worthy blowout, look no further than our Anti-Frizz Set, including three product faves for smooth results. Cleanse and condition with MELU, for anti-breakage and elasticizing effects. Finish and prime with This is a Blow Dry Primer, to protect from heat, enhance shine, reduce styling time and extend the life of your blowout. This blow dry set is essential for the perfect blowout!

Protecting Your Hair from Heat Damage

No blow dry guide worth its salt would be complete without a nod to heat protectants. Our range of heat protectant formulas including sprays, serums, hair milks and foams shield your hair from damage, keeping it healthy and strong, while making styling easier. Your heat-styled hair will be shinier, sleeker and healthier.

Nourishing Solutions for Air Drying Hair

For perfectly air dried strands, absorb excess water with a microfiber towel and use a wide-tooth comb to detangle. Then apply an air dry cream like our REPLUMPING Hair Filler Superactive, to your hair, section by section, to enhance your texture and reduce frizz. Avoid humid environments until your hair is dry. For more tips see our post on how to air dry hair.

Making an Informed Decision for Your Hair

The final word in the air dry versus blow dry debate is that there isn't much evidence to suggest either is better or worse for your hair. Air drying is generally gentler, promotes scalp health and encourages natural texture, but it takes longer, exposing your hair to water longer. Blow drying is faster for quicker styling and smoothness and less time being wet, but doing it too often leads to damage.

The best thing for your hair depends on its type and current condition and how much time you have to style. Whichever method you choose, be gentle with your hair when wet, blow dry or air dry using our tips to reduce damage and stock up on your favourite heat protectants and styling treatments from Davines.

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Air Dry vs Blow Dry: Which Is Better for Your Hair?