About Blow Dryers

Both women and men have been using blow dryers for decades to quickly dry and style their hair. This small appliance is considered such a necessity to every day grooming that hotels have permanent blow dryers attached to the wall in every bathroom, and manufacturers sell travel-size dryers to take with you everywhere. The blow dryer has retained a recognizable shape since the 1920s, even as it continually improves with new materials and heating technology.

Function

A blow dryer is a hand-held electrical appliance used to remove water from hair more quickly than air drying. Internal coils are heated with electricity, and a small fan draws air in and blows it over the coils. The hot air that expels from the dryer helps evaporate the water molecules clinging to the hair.

Use a blow dryer to simply dry hair, or to help mold it into a style. Brushes, curlers and other styling tools hold the hair in a certain shape as the blower dries the hair, creating waves, curls, flips or super straight looks.

Types

Blow dryers are available in different wattages, generally ranging between 1200 and 1875 watts. There are full-size blow dryers and smaller travel sizes that are lighter and have fewer settings, and sometimes less power. Professional series blow dryers are usually larger, heavier, more powerful and more durable than retail dryers for consumers.

Blow dryers come with three types of coils: metal, ceramic and tourmaline. Ceramic coils are considered superior to metal, as ceramic heats more quickly and evenly, drying hair faster but with less chance of damage. Tourmaline is an expensive precious stone that emits more negative ions, which manufacturers and users agree causes less static and frizz. Tourmaline breaks down the water molecules leading to better absorption and softer, sleeker hair, as well as faster drying (as much as 80 percent faster).

Setting options vary on different blower models, many offering a small range of temperature settings and a cool air blast button that helps set styles. Attachments that diffuse air and reduce frizz for damaged or curly hair are available, as well as blow dryers that come in diffuser form with slower fans and high heat that dries hair fast without blowing out the curl. Comb, straightener, and other blow dryer attachments also come with certain models or can be ordered separately.

History

Inspired by the heated exhaust air on a vacuum cleaner, Alexandre F. Godefoy invented the first electric hair dryer in 1890. These devices were large and cumbersome, and didn't become a useful household item until the development of hand-held dryers in the 1920s. Early blow dryers were made of steel, which made them durable but also very heavy.

The 1930s brought about the creation of seated hood dryers, still used in hair salons today. Metal and wood-handled portable designs gave way to lighter plastic models. The 1970s brought about improved safety features to decrease accidents and injuries from electrocution.

Modern blow dryer manufacturers continue to explore new coil materials like ceramic and tourmaline for more effective and efficient blow dryers. New blow dryers come in a variety of speeds, temperatures and durability, offering hair stylists and consumers a wide array of choices to suit their needs.

Benefits

Blow dryers make it possible to dry hair in a fraction of the time it would take hair to dry naturally, and to help mold it into any style. Newer blow dryer technologies are safer and less damaging to hair than previous models, and can even improve hair texture by sealing in moisture.

Use ceramic and tourmaline dryers to help the environment. Farouk Systems explains that these appliances use far-infrared heat, which dramatically reduces EMF (Electric Magnetic Field). Traditional blow dryers can contain potentially dangerous EMF up to 1500 microns, while the tourmaline units contain 1.5 microns. Tourmaline dryers also use less wattage with superior drying results.

Warning

As with all electrical appliances, take care not to drop the appliance into water. Do not use in the tub or shower, or when standing in or touching water on the floor or sink. Modern dryers and bathroom outlets have safety features to disengage the power if the unit comes in contact with water, but do not rely on these features.

High heat can damage hair. Use a diffuser for fine or heat-damaged hair and do not touch the dryer to the hair when using the higher settings.

Resources

• Shop blow dryers at Folica
• News and tips from My Hair Styling Tools
• Buy Farouk Systems blow dryers at HDryers