Blowdrying hair?

Afromuffin

So I decided to start blowdrying my hair.
I think I can get a week or maybe two out of it.
I brought some heat protectant oil. I used that and a shea butter mix to blowdry and my hair doesn't feel bad and I like the styles I can do.
Will blowdrying on low heat be good? I use the tresseme moisture rich conditioner and the keracare leave in before applying the heat protectant and the shea mix.
I like the ease of styling, but don't want to worry about heat damage.
I use the red conair blowdryer with the comb attachment.

Afromuffin

also, would using light oil everyday to every other day be good to keep it up?

Blueblood

Are you blow drying your hair straighten it or just to dry it?

Either way you need to be very careful of your ends. I watched something a few days ago which basically stated heat protectors are a waste of money as they don't do anything to additionally protect hair.

Personally I have used a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to get my hair to dry quicker in winter. However I don't do my hair until it's bone dry I do it until it's damp enough to dry in an hour to an hour and a half. I also only have to do it on the coldest days in winter which means hardly at all.

With a diffuser attachment you have to use low heat as the attachment can melt. There as years ago when I a comb attachment used on my hair high heat was used.

Therese1

I wonder about this too (how much damage is done by drying hair), and I just don't know the answer. I think that drying on low heat is certainly one thing you can do to help protect your hair, and the protectant oil is another. I wonder sometimes whether the heat can actually help your hair if you are using an oil and other products, because heat usually helps product penetrate the hair shaft. I think all you can do is take precautions and keep an eye on it.

I have decided that I don't want to be a slave to my hair. I want to have fun with it and enjoy it. So I'm going to blow-dry it if I want, and straighten it if I want, etc., because that's how I can have fun with it. I always do what I can to minimize damage, but I'm not going to treat my hair as if it belongs in a museum somewhere.

Therese1

Oh, about the oil, I would experiment with using the oil as you suggested to see what your hair can tolerate. Some people's hair can absorb a lot of oil without getting greasy, while other people's hair gets greasy easily (mine does). But I think that using a little oil every day would be a great way to keep your hair in good shape, especially the ends.

Blueblood

I should have added I just use my normal leave-in which is a detangler/moisturiser and gel before using my hair dryer with diffuser.

CuriousAquarius

that sounds like a lot of product to add to your hair. Too much product can make your hair feel hard and cause build up. I think the best way to prevent damage to your hair is to stretch the hair first then blow it out.

I use the banding method or air dry in twists until my hair is about 50%-75% dry, then blow it in small sections out with heat protectant/leave in using tension method because I find a comb attachment causes unnecessary manipulation/breakage

Use oil sparingly on the ends of your hair

Always dry on the low setting with high heat.

Afromuffin

I'm doing it to straighten it but not get it bone straight.
I was on YouTube and found some who used heat on their hair and it helped them to retain length as their hair was stretched and they were able to style it quicker.
I usually twist my hair on damp hair which takes about an hour, but I decided to use the blowdryer and do a goddess braid that can last for a week or so.
About the heat protectant thing, I'm not sure on. I know some people use oils like grapeseed or other oils to blow their hair out. I wouldn't mind not using heat protectant since I do deep conditon after every wash.
I also used the blowdryer on low heat.

Afromuffin

I agree. I knew alot of people say heat is bad, but I feel you have to see what works for you. I like the look of blowdried hair as I can still have length and the thickness I desire when I create updos on my hair. My hair doesn't really get greasy, it just depends on the oils I use and if I'm heavy handed with them.

Afromuffin

I was following the loc method for my hair since I thought I needed the heat protectant. I do agree with stretching, I twisted my hair in 4 sections and let it air dry over night and blow dried my hair when it was a bit damp.
Do you feel that a heat protectant is needed?