Having beautiful hair is never as effortless as it looks, although we women try our very hardest for it to look that way. Most consumers have less problem spending more cash on flat irons or hair products, because they rationalize the regular use of those items. However, when it comes to a hair dryer, women are not as likely to pay more for a better quality dryer. My clients constantly question the differences between an over-the-counter dryer and a professional one. “Why is it so expensive?” “Does it really make a difference?” “What’s wrong with the regular one that I have now?” Here are the answers to all your questions.
Most normal dryers, which cost between $10 -$30, are made of an electric motor, a fan and
copper wires. Air is generated by the electric fan which is heated by the copper wire - creating hot airflow. A low-quality dryer does not produce an even and consistent airflow, which increases the chance of damaging the hair. Using a low-powered dryer takes longer to fully dry the hair, and with an unstable heat source, the damage can be quite substantial in the long run.
A professional dryer, which can cost anywhere from $60-$250, is usually ceramic, ionic or a combination of both. With a ceramic dryer, the heating component of the motor produces an airflow that is more constant without over-heating. This decreases the chance of heat damage or hot spots on your hair. These dryers are a little more affordable and available at any beauty supply store or online site. I would recommend a Solano, Elchim or a CHI dryer if you’re not trying to break your bank.
Ionic dryers are more expensive because they are made of components which generate negative ions only, as opposed to ceramic dryers which generate both negative and positive ions. Negative ions are beneficial to your hair because they seal the cuticles of each hair shaft, locking in more moisture and providing more shine. Ionic dryers are also supposed to shrink water droplets, leading to shorter drying times because of faster water evaporation. You can have the best of both worlds when combining the two elements together: an ionic-ceramic dryer.
Tourmaline hair dryers, an ionic-ceramic combination, contain 100% crushed tourmaline minerals, providing the benefit of constant infrared heat production to heat hair particles from within. More heat is rendered in the hair shaft instead of the surface, reducing heat damage. Just to name a few, the T3, Bead Head, and Babyliss dryers all great choices for the ionic-ceramic option.
So at the end of the day, a professional hair dryer is important and really does a make a difference. Not only will it save time in your busy schedule, but your hair quality will be better maintained with less heat damage. The next time you shop for a hair dryer, just remember you get what you pay for. Always opt for the professional quality tool if you desire professional results!
